A recent survey has highlighted the significant challenges parents face during dinnertime, revealing that mealtime can be one of the few opportunities for focused engagement with their children. Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of HP Inc., the survey involved 2,000 American parents with children in kindergarten through sixth grade. The findings indicate that parents encounter various hurdles, including managing picky eaters, ensuring children sit at the table, and the cleanup process after meals.
The survey results show that while parents value mealtimes as a chance to connect, many do not feel they maximize this opportunity. Approximately 61% of parents reported that mealtimes are one of the few times they can engage their children without distractions. Yet, 41% expressed that they do not talk as much as they would like during these moments. Furthermore, 77%87% believe that small interactions at the dinner table can have lasting positive effects on their child’s development.
Insights from Experts on Family Engagement
Dr. Elizabeth Bonawitz, an associate professor of Learning Sciences at Harvard University, emphasized the importance of mealtimes for child development. Collaborating with HP to create resources such as educational placemats, she noted, “Parents are juggling so much. But kids don’t always need hands-on activities to learn and be engaged. Light conversations can spark curiosity, creativity, and real understanding. It doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful.”
The survey revealed specific strategies parents believe could enhance dinnertime engagement. Most parents favored allowing children to participate in meal preparation, with 35% suggesting that letting kids help choose the meal and 37% advocating for involving them in cooking would make dinners more enjoyable. Additionally, 29% of parents indicated that incorporating storytelling or playful activities could improve the experience, while 21% would appreciate conversation prompts to stimulate discussions.
Dr. Bonawitz highlighted that dinnertime serves as a natural setting for children to ask questions and share experiences. She stated, “These everyday interactions are foundational for building trust, curiosity, rapport, and for supporting broader cognitive development.” She also recommended that simple resources, such as the free Bite Size lessons from HP, can transform mealtimes into moments of connection and discovery.
Top Hurdles Parents Face at Dinnertime
The survey identified the following challenges that parents commonly face during mealtimes:
1. Cleaning up the mess afterward (35%)
2. Dealing with picky eating or food complaints (33%)
3. Getting children to sit still and eat (24%)
4. Managing different schedules and routines (22%)
5. Ensuring everyone is at the table at the same time (21%)
6. Cooking while managing homework and chaos (18%)
7. Keeping screens away without a meltdown (17%)
8. Finding the energy to make it happen (17%)
9. Encouraging meaningful conversation beyond basic responses (11%)
10. Feeling pressured to make meals meaningful or educational (7%)
These challenges indicate that while many families strive to create a nurturing and interactive dining experience, various factors can hinder their efforts.
Conducted online between May 29 and June 5, 2025, this survey sheds light on the complexities of family mealtime dynamics. By understanding these hurdles, parents and educators can better support families in making dinnertime a more engaging and enjoyable experience for both children and adults.