The Hour That Matters Most Book Review

Do you remember the hit TV show Leave it to Beaver?

June and Ward Cleaver were the proud parents of Wally and "Beaver." 

When I think back to many episodes, I can always recall them eating breakfast and lunch together in the kitchen, and dinners were attended by all family members in the dining room.


Dinners were a special time for all the family to come together

Fast forward to today and I think most families would say that they are lucky if all members of their family eat in the same room, let alone at the same time.  And if they are together, there are usually distractions, namely the TV, or some other type of electronic device, like the cell phone or iPod.

And I think we fall in that same category.  Two nights a week we are out until around 6pm with extracurricular activities and many nights hubby comes home late and my daughter and I have already eaten, so hubby has to eat solo.

That is why I was interested in a new book called The Hour that Matter Most.   

From the publisher:

Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott have discovered the surprising impact that something as simple as sharing a meal together can have on a  family. And they aren't alone. Researchers across the board are finding that an hour around the dinner table can really tether a family together and help you raise up healthier, happier kids.

Featuring the inspiring story of Stephanie Allen and Tina Kuna, the founders of Dream Dinners, The Hour That Matters Most shows you how to nourish and nurture your family through regular meal times.

An inspiring, practical book packed with everything you need to help you make the most of the dinnertime hour. The Hour That Matters Most includes:

• Never before published recipes
• Expert cooking tips and ideas
• Color photos of family favorite meals
• Dozens of conversation starters to get your kids talking around the table

My Thoughts:  I really enjoyed reading this book and have found practical advice on how to get our family to the dinner table more often.  Ideas I think I will implement include switching the room we eat in some nights (from the kitchen to the dining room), dressing up the dinner table with a tablecloth and placemats for fun on some nights, and using conversation starters. 

I don't think I'll be in the running for the next June Cleaver, but I think this book has some great ideas on how to get the family together and talking each day.

Find Out More:  You can find out more about The Hour that Matter Most at their website.  The book will be available in paperback in September but can be pre-ordered through Amazon.  You can also find a Family Dinnertime Toolkit on their website, which includes conversation starter coasters and placemats you can print out.

Stephanie Allen and Tina Kuna, co-authors with Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott, are also the founders of Dream Dinners.  Dream Dinners offers monthly menus, which include 14 different recipes each month, and provide everything you need to assemble dinners yourself.  I really wish we had a Dream Dinners location near us!

Disclosure:  This product was given to Our Homeschool Reviews for free for review purposes, and I do not have to return the products to the vendor.  I have received no compensation from it and all opinions and experiences within this review are my own.