A new study has found that three-quarters of parents have served dinner earlier than planned to avoid a pre-mealtime meltdown. A poll of 1,000 parents with children aged between two and 10 revealed that a third have brought dinner forward to as early as 4pm or 4.30pm in an attempt to tackle rumbling tummies.
After-school 'witching hour' drives early dinners
The study showed one in five parents dread the after-school 'witching hour', with more than half (58%) saying their child announces they're starving the second they step through the door. To keep chaos at bay, half of parents turn to the television as a distraction, while 31% keep their little ones busy with activities such as colouring or tidying up toys while they prepare dinner.
Parents have 32 minutes before hunger turns to hanger
Parents reckon they have just 32 minutes before hunger morphs into hanger, yet nearly half (46%) avoid offering after-school snacks for fear of ruining their child's appetite ahead of the evening meal. The research was commissioned by Frankfurter brand Herta, which is offering a 'try me for free' offer until 30th August.
Briony May Williams, cook and TV presenter who has partnered with the brand, said: "For many families, the time before dinner can be one of the busiest parts of the day, especially when their little ones are hungry. As a parent myself, I know all too well how quickly a happy child can become a hangry one when dinner's taking a little longer than expected. However, cooking together gives families a few precious moments together, and even simple jobs like stirring, sprinkling cheese, or laying the table can help children feel involved, build their confidence in the kitchen, and distract them from their hungry tummies!"
Quick dinners are key to keeping kids happy
The research also found that fancy mealtime prep often goes out the window, as 35% of parents surveyed by OnePoll regularly face repeated questions of "Is it ready yet?". While the typical evening meal requires more than 40 minutes to prepare, nearly a third (31%) end up making themselves something separate to eat later. Of those, almost half (48%) say it's too early for them to eat or they're not hungry yet, while 19% admit family mealtimes can be too chaotic.
Overall, 48% believe quick and straightforward dinners help keep both their children and themselves happier. Pasta (53%), pizza (38%), and fish fingers and chips (37%) top the list of the quickest family favourites to prepare. Consequently, one in four often resort to 'double-dinners'—serving the same dish week after week to help keep hungry kids happy.
Gemma Serdet, senior brand manager from Herta, which has created a family-friendly activity book to help parents make mealtime happier, said: "Our research highlights just how much pressure parents are under during the after-school rush. It's no wonder so many are adapting their routines – whether that's serving dinner earlier or finding ways to keep little ones occupied before dinner. Convenient, child-friendly, delicious dinner options can help take the stress out of family mealtimes. It's about more than saving time - it helps families take the time to connect and makes mealtimes much happier all round."
