I have 3 older kids so unfortunately we do eat tea at 5! We have to, to beat the clubs n activities rush that starts about 6pm. Dp tends to come home from work ravenous because he's one of those men who doesn't eat anything all day. Consequently this means he (we) often have a little 'adult' supper later on as well and probably explains why I'm getting so fat! I do highly recommend eating together, my LO eats loads and I'm sure it's down to family eating, he copies his siblings and watches avidly what they are eating/drinking and tries to copy. If it's just the two of us I always try to eat with him and if I'm eating he will pause and make exaggerated munching mouth movements as if to say 'chew, Mummy, chew!'. Remember, if it's good enough for him, it's good enough for you! Someone else's food always tastes nicer, doesn't it? Also, almost all our social life seems to revolve around eating/having a coffee out, so I think he has realised that it is the thing to do.