dinner when kids have late evening activities

[momofmine]

What to do about this? We are out at sports practices 3-4 nights a week, where we don't get home until after 7. We have a special diet, so even quick dinners are not so quick, because I make everything. Even if I plan ahead and have dinner in the crock pot, it is 7:30 to 8:00 at the earliest by the time we are sitting down to eat. And then bedtime is later, and later.

What do others do in this situation? I don't want to feed them a huge meal before, and then expect them to go run around a field for 2 hours. But two of the days we have to get ready to leave the house at 4:00 and we aren't home until 7:15 to 7:30. They are starving when they get home, so just doing a light snack does not work. Any suggestions, not for specific food ideas, because we have a special diet, but for timing things?

Thanks!

[momofmine]

Coming back to say, I think I need to load them up earlier in the day.

[YummyYarnAddict]

Our schedule gets like this at times. What works here is having a very substantive breakfast or lunch (depending on the schedule... we always have both, but it's a matter of how late the day is going to run and which we need to have sustain us more), and keep a cooler in the car with good, healthy, snacks. Are they getting breaks during the sports practice? If so, they should be sure to stay hydrated, and if they have a good sized break, I'd give them a protein dense snack like jerky. If they don't like that, maybe even a piece of cheese. I'd have an "appetizer" ready to put on the table when we got in the door so they wouldn't be starving by the time the rest of the meal is ready. If my kids go more than 3 hours or so without a good snack or meal, they tend to overeat and then have trouble sleeping because they overate, so I don't like them to get that hungry.

[deditus]

Originally Posted by momofmine

Coming back to say, I think I need to load them up earlier in the day.

Yes, that is what I was going to say. We have always had a later routine to our day, as dh worked late and a #1 priority to me was that we all ate dinner as a family. So dd and I eat eat a substantial snack/mini meal after nap (4-5 pm) to tide us over until dinner, which is often 7:30-8 pm.

[THANKFULFORFIVE]

We have a heavy afterschool snack and then when we get home from practices/games, the crock-pot meal is ready and waiting. Or I'd prepare something earlier in the day and heat it all up when we get back. At least this way we still get to eat together and everyone's got a good appetite! Throw some grapes or other fresh fruit on the table while you are getting things ready. This is always my best shot at getting them to eat raw veggies too, because they are starving and will grab at whatever is on the counter!

[lil_earthmomma]

I don't know what dietary restrictions you have, but can you do any no cook meals? When we're on a time crunch, giant salads (filling salads with protein etc.), chicken cesear wraps, quesadillas, soups (made ahead and reheated) and sandwiches...

It's all still made from scratch, but it's quick food yk?

[neptunemama]

On our days where we get home late, I bring a huge snack for afterschool. It's basically a second lunch and they load up. I also have food available for the ride home, so they don't have to wait until we get home to eat. That way I don't stress about getting home and getting dinner on the table right away, and they are less grumpy and less likely to melt from hunger. I also keep dinners simple on those nights. Nothing that will take more than 15 min from start to finish.

[columbusmomma]

Tuesdays are our late day. I like to have a premade soup or stew ready to just heat and serve. Serve it with bread,salad, or veggies. We do a big snack right after school and then eat 7 or later.