to wonder what happened to 'proper' mealtimes?

[undercoverPrincess]

Just lately all the kids parties we go to seem to involve serving food (mostly sandwich type buffets but at one McDonalds) at times that are between mealtimes (between 2 and 3pm)?

I just don't get this, I try really hard to get into a good routine and give my children a good attitude regarding what they eat / snack on and when and I don't like them being re-fed between meals?

One party started at 12.30 so I didn't know what to do, I have DD a snack before but the food came out at 2 so the kids that hadn't had lunch like my DD were probably starving. Then come teatime she didn't want her proper dinner.

We have been invited to another party like this next month and I'm sorely tempted to refuse the invite but will feel bad as I know my DD will want to go :(

Fair nuff Curry can't afford to buy my own because I once had tea at 8.30pm thus negating chances of getting into a RG uni and developing career

My DCs had lunch at 3pm on Saturday
I'm a terrible person

YABU unless your child is going to parties every single day so never having proper meals. Kids know the difference between special occasions like parties, their birthday, Easter, Christmas etc and a normal day. Bad habits are not being formed.

And I started eating my lunch at work at 11am

tantrums you do realise it's your fault that Britain is broken don't you. Don't you?

You should be pelted with inappropriate part snacks in the street

It's only one day! Snack at 11, party lunch, light dinner in the evening. problem solved.

So how old is the OP's child?

In fact I am calling the DC school as KS1 have their lunch at 12 and KS2 at 12:30 my children must be in turmoil at this why oh why do they not leave it at 12 then an Oxbridge place guarenteed !!

I know

But no one TOLD me that me and my DCs have to eat at the SAME TIME EVERY DAY regardless of what is happening that day

We had dinner at 8:30 last night as well
and it was fish and chips

I wish someone WOULD pelt me with iced gems

Yabu, it's a party. Does it really matter if she didn't each much dinner after an afternoon party? She probably just wasn't hungry if she'd had a lot of food at the party.

and I breastfed on demand as babies !!! Oh there is no hope for my kids stupid, stupid Mother!!

hmm me thinks you need something else to fill your mind than worrying about the odd party meal. Dont sweat the small stuff way bigger things will come your way.

I do get where you're coming from and in fairness I am actually generally quite a laid back parent BUT these parties are getting more and more frequent and as I normally go along and see a lot of the food thrown away uneaten....

I am in fairness probably that parent that would leave somewhere to take my children home for lunch, or take it out with me in little tupperware containers, that said I am also constantly asked why I've never had to diet and I do put it down to eating properly at set times every day.

I don't like this attitude that food can be consumed whenever the mood takes us and my children would eat constantly if it was down to them which would not only be bad as they then wouldn't eat their proper meals but it would also cost me a small fortune.

I'm sure I will let my DD go, I am very surprised I'm in the minority here but maybe it's because my children are a lot younger and with work etc I feel if i'm in no kind of routine things just won't happen.

My parents were the opposite, they preferred a liquid lunch and we were lucky to get a bag of crisps in the pub lunchtime as kids.... All my husbands family are very into meal routines so maybe that's where it comes from.

Seriously, you would consider turning down a party invitation because of the ti e the food will be served at? can't you just give them a small snack before they go and then a light meal later on, if even need it?

I get your point OP but really when older [the kids] you will realise that the routine will have to smashed right open!! Just be prepared !!

Oh fgs it's a party. Unless they're happening everyday it's hardly relevant to the state of the nation is it?

If you have a real problem with your kids eating off schedule then take them to the party if they want to go but tell them they're banned from eating. I'd love to be a fly on the wall for that one

I'm not sure you're as laid back as you think...

Perhaps you could stay at home instead of accepting all those invitations to such wasteful fun? You could sit round the table and think sobering thoughts?

Op I also work f/t and did so when my DCs were babies/ toddlers/ pre school.

We still used to go out for the day, go to parties and eat dinner at 8pm.

I THINK they all survived it

So you object to the timings and judge at how much is thrown away?

I bet you're a barrel of laughs.

You still haven't said what age your daughter is.

ha ha ha

Don't let her go. She will be ruined for life.

Do you judge the quality of food as well?

OP, your "to wonder what happened to" kind of implies (to me, at least) that things have changed, party food was served at 'proper' mealtimes before. Nope. Not in my experience. Children's parties I attended in the 1960's and 70's were definitely at between-meals times.

What may have changed, however, is what food is now served at a party.

Back then, yes there were sandwiches, but it was predominantly fairy cakes, jelly and ice-cream, party ring iced biscuits, crisps, fizzy drinks etc. No way was it ever provided as a meal substitute. I rather think the fashion for birthday parties to take place in venues (bowling alley, Pizza Hit, McDonalds are a few DS was invited to/hosted) rather than in the birthday child's home is behind that - these venues want to cater their normal menu, and they've convinced us parents to comply.

Wouldn't you laugh if op daughter turns out to be about 13