Three-quarters of parents serve dinner early to avoid pre-mealtime meltdowns, according to new research. A poll of 1,000 parents of children aged between two and 10 found that a third have moved dinner forward to as early as 4 or 4.30 pm in a bid to tackle hungry tummies.
Parents dread after-school 'witching hour'
The study revealed that one in five parents dread the after-school 'witching hour', with more than half (58%) saying their child has declared they're hungry the moment they walk through the door. To manage the chaos, half of parents resort to TV as a distraction, while 31% keep their child occupied with activities such as drawing or tidying up toys while they prepare dinner.
32 minutes before hunger turns to hanger
Parents claim they have just 32 minutes before hunger turns to hanger, yet almost half (46%) avoid offering after-school snacks for fear of spoiling their child's appetite before 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!"
Fancy mealtime prep often goes out the window
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 average evening meal takes more than 40 minutes to prepare, almost a third (31%) end up making themselves something separate to eat later. Of those, almost half (48%) say it's simply too early for them to eat or they're not hungry yet, while 19% admit family mealtimes can be too chaotic.
Quick and easy dinners keep families happier
Overall, 48% believe quick and easy dinners help keep both their children - and themselves - happier. Pasta (53%), pizza (38%), and fish fingers and chips (37%) top the list of the fastest family favourites to prepare. As a result, 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."
