Play dates: what time for dinner?

[hulababy]

New to all this as DD only started in reception this month. Had a couple of play dates so far, and another this evening.

Normally DD eats with us at 6:30pm, having had a light snack on arriving home from school.

Can't do this on playdates as parents seem to collect around 5:30-6pm. And would be too late for some children anyway.

So what time do you do dinner for 4-5 year olds? Was sorting it for 5pm tonight - is that about right?

It's amaxing what you worry about when other people's children are involved, lol!

[hana]

my girls are 5 and 21 months and we usually eat at 5 - no later than 530. Any later and it interferes with bedtime!!
if we have little friends for supper it's still the same time, and I wouldn't want a pickup any later than 6

[nailpolish]

have you said you will give the child her tea? cant you just have a really great snack, after school, and have tea with dd at the normal time?

we eat late too and i would have thought you could just do this as normal, explaining to the parents taht this is what you do

i fyou have decided to give dd tea wit her friend i would say between 515 and 530, any earlier is too early IMO

[hulababy]

Yes, tea included (at least I assume so!) - has been o the other occasions, and when DD has been to other friends.

Well, due to me being on here :D dinner tonight will be about 5:10!

[hulababy]

I don't think any of the parents (me included) have been too concerned about the food side in terms of what they have, as we know they have a healthy cooked 2 course dinner at school.

[nailpolish]

what are you having hula? im needing inspiration because dds friends have now starting asking me "is it pasta again?" (although they do enjoy it!)

[Clary]

5pm is good. Gives you time to do it, them time to eat it and all out by 6pm.
That's when my chidlren eat anyway (they are in the bath at 6.30 )

[hulababy]

nailpolish - I did homemade breaded chicken strips, home made wedges and green beans, with a slice of bread each. DD ate all hers. Other girl ate about 1/3, but ate least ate something.

Little boy from next door came round last week and ate nothing (did steak, mash, carrots and brocolli that time).

First little girl ate everything Chicken and veg.

[nailpolish]

oh i like the idea of wedges thanks

i tell myself the amount eaten is not a reflection of my cooking skills

they are either

-too anxious to get back to barbie dolls
or
-shy

[hulababy]

I think it was the former. They were in middle of a game of mummies and babies. Have all the dolls out, the kitchen, ALL the toy food and tea set. They were way too busy to stop

[hulababy]

The wedges all disappeared

[Glassofwine]

5pm tea is the standard around here with a 6pm pickup. We often have tea about 6 ish, but not when theres a friend.

I often get them to make their own pizza using french bread and supplying, tomato passata, ham, cheese, pineapple, peppers etc = keeps them occupied and guarantees they'll eat it.

[RTKangaMummy]

Hijack alert

Do you coat the chicken with egg and use fresh brreadcrumbs?

And then grill or oven cook??????

[hulababy]

For the chicken I did flour, egg then breadcrumbs. Used wholemeal breadcrumbs this time as only bread in but think white works better. I then oven cook for 20 minutes.

[hulababy]

Thought about the pizza idea, especially for when she has her two male friends over - as the play bit gets a bit more fragmented, and our two male visitors seem to like a lot of adult participation. Think they may be a good tactic.

[RTKangaMummy]

Deffo brill thanks

presume it is chicken breasts?

[hulababy]

Yes, I got chicken breasts this time and cut them myself. Nomrally buy those mini fillets to save me the hassle, have to admit!

[RTKangaMummy]

Thanks



BTW we do tea at 5pm as well

[KBear]

I give them a drink when they come in and a cookie then they disappear upstairs until dinner at 5. Pickups at 6.

Had note from DD's friend who came over on Friday - "Dear DD, Thank you for letting me come over to play. It was a nice tea. I like your Mum. love.....xxx"

She can come again!

[hulababy]

I did give them a drink and a biscuit when they got in at 3:45 too. They were really hungry!