Book Review: The Hour that Matters Most

The Hour that Matters Most
By Les and Leslie Parrott, Stephanie Allen and Tina Kuna
Tyndale House, 2011
English, 208 pages


Description:
The facts are on the table. Dinnertime is truly the most important hour in a day that a family can spend together. Focusing on the family meal, this book will help strengthen families by showing them how to reclaim this important time in order to build relationships, draw closer to one another, and restore a sense of peace in their homes. Millions of parents in America can picture the kind of home life they want but don’t know how to make it a reality. The Hour That Matters Most will help readers strengthen and transform their own families—specifically around the dinner table. 

Dinnertime—It’s More Than Just a Meal
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

If you’re looking for ways to bring love and laughter to your home, rediscover the remarkable power of the family meal in The Hour That Matters Most.
Review:
My family eats practically every meal together. We make it a priority to sit together, pray together and talk about what's going on and what we've done so far that day. My son also uses the time to report on what he's been learning in school to his Daddy.

 I do realize though that we have a luxury. Not all families have the time to sit together for every meal (including snacks...) every day. I do not have sports practices and games to work around. We are homeschooling our oldest so it's easy to have lunch together. My husband's office is literally next door so he's home when he needs to be. Now, we do get fast food on occasion and we make the use of a babysitter for a night out as often as we can...but generally we're together.

 It makes a difference.

 One of the things proposed in the book is using a meal service like Dream Dinners. I had never heard of this before and think it's cool for those who are short on time (or like me...cooking skills) and want to have a hot meal together with the family. If you're lucky enough to be near a location that is....

Anyway, back to the book...At the end of each chapter is a recipe card. I really appreciated the "table talk" ideas. So often we can get quiet if we don't know what else to talk about, and these will come in handy. Especially as the boys grow and get more involved in things.

The issues discussed go beyond manners and "how was your day" conversation and go into how to really listen to what your kids (and spouse) are saying when they speak.

 I received a copy of the book for the purpose of a review. No additional compensation has been received and I was not required to write a positive review.