To think this is a fine dinner for 5 year old?!?

[Abneyandteal19]

Older DS had swimming until 6pm one day of the week.
Usual dinner time is 5pm.
Younger DS swims 4:30-5 but then has to wait until 6pm for older one then by the time he gets dressed and home it's 6:30 which is when younger DS has story and wind down for bed at 7pm.

So rather than 'waste' the time he has to sit around and then have a late tea/bed I have started to take his dinner to swimming so he can eat whilst older DS swims.

Today it was spag Bol (in one of those keep warm flasks) a large size fromais frais, pot of strawberries and a biscuit.
So a bit more sugar than usual but he has just swum and it's only one day per week.
He seems happy with this!

Older DS eats when we get home as he doesn't go to bed until later.

Family members are telling me this is awful- he can't eat dinner in the swimming pool cafe (!?) and it's really weird behaviour! there's no option of buying a fresh dinner at pool as it's only a Starbucks type cafe.

He gets so tired if he stays up late and also doesn't eat well when tired.

What do you think? AIBU??

Shinyapple lots of kids get cold swimming. Warm food helps get energy back.

If you want to shock the critics even more, use my tip of dressing the kids in their PJs after swimming to save the hassle of getting them ready for bed at home. I used to do that with mine after late swimming lessons 😂

Well I'm sure they won't mind taking DS2 swimming in the evening so you can take the younger one home to eat if they are that concerned.

Lol! Mine always put their Pyjamas on after swimming! So yes eating dinner in their PJs in the cafe! I'll keep that one to myself I think so as to not cause any more shockwaves!!

Athlete here... I take healthy food with me if I can't get home in time to eat properly. You are doing the right thing for your son. My toddler is in gymnastics and I have milk and a healthy snack to give before the drive home as it's nap time by then.

I think that's a really good idea! Ignore people. If it works for you, carry on ❤️

He's happy; you've a problem and you're happy.

Sorry you have solved a problem

When we're in a rush to get to cricket training I precook a chicken breast chop it into 4 pieces and put it into a wrap with salad and DS eats it on the way to training. The training goes on and on. On the way back he'll eat a pepperoni stick and an apple. When he gets home he quickly does homework then it's shower then bed.

As long as there is an actual area to sit and eat with a table and there isn't food being flung all over chairs, absolutely it's the best use of time. It becomes slightly annoying when there is nowhere to sit to eat and food ends up all over the floor/ chair, but this way you get DS gets to eat and then go to bed without it all being a rush and being overtired.

If you're buying a coffee for yourself in the cafe, then I really can't see a problem with giving your son his dinner in the cafe, or with the food thst you have given him.

You anbu. Your family is.
It sounds like a lovely dinner. Better than just taking a cheese sandwich 🥪.

It's a member of OP's family, sticking their beak in!