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Original poster

To think that it’s impossible to have a 6pm family dinner time?

209 replies

whatonearthishappenin · 08/01/2025 19:21

Do people really sit down at 6 pm and eat dinner together as a family in the evening?

If so, how?

I’m not always home from work by then, my children have afterschool club and clubs… swimming, football, dance etc… how do people manage it?

OP posts:
Wavescrashingonthebeach · 08/01/2025 19:25

We don't. Our appetites aren't aligned. Partner prefers to eat much later than I do and 6pm would be too late for evening meal for my 1 year old.
We do try and eat together for breakfast and possibly lunch if DP off work.

theriseandfallofFranklinSaint · 08/01/2025 19:25

I used to be home by 5ish and if DH was off (shift work) we'd be good to eat at 6pm. My two never did any week night clubs except for cubs/scouts which all started later so we could eat first.

WiseLurker · 08/01/2025 19:24

Erm, we all get home by 6?

I'm not sure I understand how you're supposed to answer this without seeking pedantic.

CaptainCarrotsBigSword · 08/01/2025 19:24

YANBU. Dh gets in with the kids at about half five as we are very lucky that he works in the town we live in. I don't get in til 6 (and that's if the traffic is good), and we have a dog to walk, various clubs to get to, etc etc.

Even when I was a kid we didn't have dinner until about half 7 as we waited for my dad to get home from work - London to home counties commute.

ScarlettSunset · 08/01/2025 19:24

I'd LIKE to have dinner at 6pm but if I'm at work, I can't even get home for then, let alone have dinner ready. On days I work from home, I still don't finish in time to have dinner ready for then.

Stickortwigs · 08/01/2025 19:23

Different work schedules and different routines.

I work full time from home. Finish at 5 and cook something fast while DH collects DS from nursery (DD already home from school). We then eat all together at 5.20 every day.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 08/01/2025 19:23

By having jobs that start before 9am and clubs that finish by 4.30pm or start around 7pm.

ChocolateTea · 08/01/2025 19:22

Not here, but I have late teens now. But since covid (so last five years) our dinner meal has been 7pmish. If there is a club that starts at 7 dinner is 630 but a major rush tbh. Normally it’s around 715/730 - family are currently eating now.

we tried Christmas dinner at 530 and it was too early for us. Next year we will have it at 7!

PlantsplwSe · 08/01/2025 19:21

We sit down together but normally later than 6!