Snack plates for dinner

[Goodnightelizabethgoodnight]

I'm sure it's just an older generation mindset of needing 3 hot square meals a day, but my gran was shocked ( 🙄 ) that my 3 year old had a snack plate for his dinner.

Plenty of nights we do have a hot meal together but I'd say at least once, sometimes twice a week, he happily sits and eats a little snack plate in front of the telly. He's been at nursery 9-3, outdoors for much of the time, he's tired, and he just wants to chill. I know the feeling myself! So after two helpings of curry with rice for his lunch at nursery I don't think it's a problem to have a snack plate for dinner.

He's having the same snack plate today as he did yesterday which has breadsticks, oatcakes, humous, salami, smoked cheese, raspberries, strawberries, chopped cucumber and peppers. He might have a small bowl of soup after too. Tbh I think he's living the best life with his little platter in front of the telly and I think it's great 😁

Breakfast was porridge, lunch was curry and rice, tomorrow for dinner we're having chicken risotto, and the next night we're having spaghetti bolognese.

Anyone else do the same with their kids?

Carpet picnic 🥰

In primary school, my DDs mostly ate 'picnic tea' in the car on the way to and from activities. My DDs loved ham sandwiches and cucumber or apple or some other fruit or carrots sticks.

We didn't really discuss it with my MIL because, despite being a lovely person, she is a believer in 'something hot' and a 'family meal'.

They didn't watch much telly but we didn't sit at the table together very often either. Oh dear ...

We didn't even have a table to sit round when I was growing up. It was dinner on your lap and I turned out just fine!

No problem with the food but turn the tv off. No need to be gawping at a screen while eating.

I don't think we will, thanks.

I do a similar snack plate several times a week for my 1 & 3 year old.

Absolutely! And a glass of wine, perfect!

This is often my dinner in the summer months! 😆

Haha same!! Mums charcuterie board 🤣

I do this and I’m 55!
Twice a week I have cheese, crackers, olives, pickles etc for dinner.

I do love the judgemental "gawping"🤣Nothing wrong with a bit of TV after a busy day.

Mine too!
Saturday night infront of You've been Framed.

Large party plate: mini sausage rolls, Mozarella dippers, still warm from the oven, cheese and pineapple chunks (mid 90's, not 70's 😁) cucumber, peppers, crisps in the centre and lashings of pop🥤

Happy days 🥹

This ! What is wrong with people? My children regularly had their tea watching TV after a long day at school,time to relax. I definitely don’t come home from work wanting to engage in conversation until bedtime 🤷‍♀️My children are all successful,professional adults despite watching TV whilst eating when they were children.

He is happily eating vegetables and fruit. Don’t mess with success.

One reason I miss daycare days. Lovely breakfast, hot lunch, multiple snacks and hot early dinner before pick up at 5.30. Dc only needed a sandwich or the like at home

@Justleaveitblankthen

That's brought back memories of tea on my lap in front of blind date, the gladiators, family fortunes 😁

I need to adopt this as my new mantra

Normal! We tend to do one weekend night as 'picky plates' and occasionally a week night with clubs. Fruit, crisps, ham, maybe a quesedia, yoghurt. Leftover meat if we have it.

Love all these stories of happy kids and their snack plates.

In the end he had two snack plates and a yoghurt. We had a lovely evening building train tracks with his dad before his bath, and he went to bed very happy indeed.

Love the idea that he spends his time just gawping at a screen and is missing out on interacting with us.

Totally agree.

'Bits and bobs' though is a great meal now and again.

It's a snack plate, not a proper dinner though.

You sound pretty defensive. Why come to MN for validation if you and your DC are so very happy indeed?

@Lookuptrees

You sound like a nippy sweetie.

Standard toddler fare.
Enjoy giving them snack plates while you still can!

wait until they’re older and they have much bigger appetites - I can’t get away with it now with my teen and tween DC.

Yeah I'd switch off the telly too.

I often stick a range of food like yours in the middle of the table as a sort of starter or if I think my little people might not be inclined to try the main dish, whatever it be. I also find it's a 'safe' way to introduce new foods to my fussy 4yo - at a distance on a picky plate! My youngest eats anything but eldest is fussy, this is how I managed to get them to try olives and cornichons though!

Works well for us.