This Mom's Super Practical Method For Avoiding Afterschool Meltdowns Is Going Viral

by · BuzzFeed

When it comes to parenting, people have to do what works best for their family. While some parents may have their kids follow a regimented schedule, others may prefer to let themselves and their children go with the flow. Whatever works!

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Content creator and mother of two Paige Boyuk (@paigeboyuk) recently posted a TikTok video of her eating pasta — that now has more than 2 million views — with the text, "Does anyone else eat dinner at 4:25 p.m. because your kids asked for a snack, and if they had a snack, they wouldn’t eat dinner, so you just serve them dinner?"

@paigeboyuk / Via tiktok.com

"This has been an issue since my son was 1 1/2 and in daycare. He would have major meltdowns once home and I noticed it was because he was hungry," Paige told BuzzFeed.

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"I’d rather serve the hearty, nutritious dinner, and they can have a snack plate before bed. As we transitioned back to school and daycare this September, this method had been a lifesaver for us," she continued.

@paigeboyuk / Via tiktok.com

Paige's video clearly resonated with many people, as the comment section was filled with almost three thousand opinions of other parents agreeing with Paige's two and seven-year-old eating dinner on the earlier side or having no idea about this early dinner tactic.

This commenter loves the early dinner and late snack approach.

@paigeboyuk / Via tiktok.com

This mom brought up a great point about the difference in energy when cleaning up after an early dinner versus a dinner later in the evening.

@paigeboyuk / Via tiktok.com

Early after-school dinners aren't only for young children.

@paigeboyuk / Via tiktok.com

Other commenters mentioned how an early dinner is normal in some parts of Europe.

@paigeboyuk / Via tiktok.com

While an early dinner is foreign to other commenters, like this one.

@paigeboyuk / Via tiktok.com

This person shared how their parents handled these sorts of meltdowns.

@paigeboyuk / Via tiktok.com

And this commenter had some questions.

@paigeboyuk / Via tiktok.com

"I loved the video's response. It was so nice to see that many other parents have [had] that wild meltdown after daycare and school and that they agree that serving dinner right away helps deter those meltdowns," Paige told BuzzFeed.

If you're a parent, do you feed your kids early or later in the day? Share your opinions with me in the comments below!