Meals as a family with a toddler - how?

[Jooni]

Does anyone with very young children manage to have an evening meal together as a family? If so, please share your routine!

I have a 17-month-old DD and a DS due soon and I'd really like to get into the habit of eating together in the evenings. DD eats at 5 at the moment and then we eat around 8 once she's in bed. DH gets in from work around 6. Curious to hear what other families do?

Hatemylifenow my DD is exactly the same. I can't get her to stay awake longer than 6 most nights. I have no idea how to get her to stay up later. Makes no difference when she naps. Glad it's not just us!

We do, DS is 10 months.
He usually has a long nap in the afternoon, a mid afternoon snack, then dinner at 7-7.30 and bed at 8-8.30 (plus milk as and when)

We live in England but I tend to do everything on Italian timings as that's what I'm used to. Italian kids tend to have 'merenda', a substantial snack around 4 and then a lighter dinner around 7.