Hmm,

I can't be overly helpfull at all, but here is my best shot.


It depends on what time you are able to start eg are you working, after school activities etc.

When we were kids we always ate at 6pm, not too early not too late. My DS can generally hold out to 6 to eat his tea with us.

We always bath after tea due to the mess he makes eating. If we are really pressed for time one of us might have a shower with him.

Could your 10 yo be having a shower while your cooking tea?

Maybe ask your DD1 to help you plan the menu for the week, I used to be a slow eater when I was younger 'cause I hated the food being dished up to me.

You could have all your meat and vegies cut up in advance

Lasagna and casserole always taste better the next day

The quickest way I have found to cook baby food at tea time if ds can't have what i'm having is one small can of soup (soup for one whatever flavour you want) lattina gnohcetti (mini gnohci) mixed frozen vegetables, pur soup in a sucepan add water if you think you need to bring to boil, reduce to simmer, add vegies etc, and any finley diced meat if you want and once vegies/meat are cooked your done, takes about 10mins max

The only other thing I can think of is it's starting to warm up so hang in there and soon you can start serving cold meat and salad???

I hope my disorganisation has helped in some way