Depends on what I am serving. Grilled cheese is less than 15 mintues start to table. Some other things need to boil for 20 minutes before I can start assembly. I get those kinds of meals started, then ask them to clean up our upstairs play area and then put things like puzzles or books or sorting type toys on the table. In between stirring I take each potty or do diaper. While they eat I empty dishwasher from night before and load what has collected in the sink. I then add lunch as I can and decide if I turn it on or wait depending on what we are having for supper.