To request Xmas turkey served before 7pm

[askingaquestion1]

Going to Xmas at my Dad's. He wants us to eat our turkey meal at 7pm because I think he wants the kids to be in bed so his meal isn't disturbed by the cherubs. I'd like to eat with the kids as think it's an important family tradition plus 7pm is too late to eat such a heavy meal. Kids range from 5 to 3 months. He says not possible to eat 4.30ish as turkey won't be cooked before then. Has he got an exceptionally poor oven or a very large turkey? Or is it just an excuse?!

Are the cherubs particularly spirited?

Its his Christmas, his choice. You could say its a shame you would like the kids involved. Perhaps a compromise at 6?

Go with it, it’s his house and his rules.
Don’t stress, little snacks to keep babies going. Def wouldn’t be putting them to bed first, where’s their Christmas dinner ?

Excuse. If he’s that bothered it won’t be done he could cook it tomorrow and serve it cold.

I wouldn’t be happy with a child free Christmas dinner when mine where little. Seems mean to me.

Christmas dinner at 7pm would be too late for me.

Why is he hosting children if that's how he feels about them, or are they particularly badly behaved at meal times?

God luck getting the 5yo to bed before 7pm

Eating at 7pm will be fine, but not for the kids. Nothing wrong with having a later adult meal if thats what everyone wants. Kids are so over excited and chocolated out they will probably not eat much anyway. You can ask for it earlier but if he is hosting then its his way.

if he wanted an adult meal, wouldn't it make more sense to have it at 8 or 9pm? My 5 year old would eat at 7!

But anyway, you can all sit down together whilst the kids eat their meal so they are not left out, and have the adult one later.

Kids I know (as I did when I was one) much eating first or even better have a "kids buffet" in front of the tv than having to sit down for a boring adult meal that lasts forever
That was the beauty of family gathering!

Blimey how naughty are these dc that one can’t get peace at a meal??

Don’t get me wrong if we are taking shit parents with terribly behaved dc I wouldn’t want to eat with them either, however I suspect we are just talking dc being dc and most dc can be quiet when eating in my experience so it seems unreasonable

So the DC don't get a Christmas lunch/dinner? I wouldn't be happy about that. My DC would definitely have been disappointed at 5yo to miss out on the turkey and all the trimmings. Why on earth has he offered to host you all if he can't deal with the kids?

Have Christmas dinner at home with your DC then go over in the evening.
Absolutely barmy not having kids there.
He shouldn't be hosting kids if they're not welcome.

Have we got the same Dad?! Lol

Put the kids in bed and actually enjoy your meal

I'd eat with the kids at home tell him you'll see him Boxing day. It's not like you can get a sitter and leave them home, or even take them with you. No way any of mine would go to bed early at Christmas.

a child free xmas dinner sounds fab!

sorry

It would be a no from me. Christmas is about spending time with my kids! I understand why adults like meals without children but it wouldn’t work for me that way at Xmas. Also what will the kids eat? Do they not get a Christmas dinner??

If you live close enough I agree with the poster that suggested to have dinner at home and then go over to see your dad, or invite your dad to you - or arrange to cook the turkey at your house and bring it with you at a pre-arranged time.

It sounds to me like your dad just wants to eat at 7 and is not willing to compromise so that might not be suitable for your kids this year. There is no way I would go with any solution that involved the kids not getting a proper Xmas dinner - whether they like it or not!

Much too late. (We're eating at 3). Tell him lunch is at 3 at your house. The arrangements have changed.

So what / when are the kids going to eat?! Seems weird to me!

if the turkey is served at 7, by the time you get to pud it's gonna be 9 and i'll be in PJs by then

I am always amazed that some people eat that early in this country. We are having a Christmas Eve dinner party and I don't think starters will be served before 9pm.

Until I joined MN it never even occur to me that some people would find that odd.

i'd stick with seven.
the three month old might get indigestion from a full on Christmas meal.

child free Christmas dinner - easily done, serve pigs in blankets as a substitution for the children, much tastier.

No way would I exclude a five year old from Xmas dinner or expect them to be in bed that early.

We always have xmas dinner later but my kids have always been on with this. 7 would be fine for my younger 2 at 5 and 2.