I must confess I have only recently learned to throw together a “family dinner,” so this book arrived just in time to bolster my new resolve! It’s not just that I’m an uninspired cook, (I am), but having young kids who eat such little variety, and a husband who works late, I usually ended up with 2-3 feeding times. Sometimes one for each kid and one for my husband after they had gone to sleep. And I would eat twice, usually standing. (Whatever they were having, and whatever he was having.) It’s not that I ever doubted the importance of family mealtime, it’s that I doubted its feasibility in the 21st century… So this book served as a wake up call and reminder that it’s because of our hectic 21st century lives and schedules that it’s more important than ever to Sit. And Eat. And Talk. That mealtime is about slowing down the rest of the fast moving world and an opportunity to spend time with our loved ones and maybe even shape who they become. I loved this fun, easy to follow, easy to read book. I love the ideas for including kids in the kitchen and games where we can learn about one another. I can’t wait to try Did You Know over Thanksgiving so our kids can find out about their own extended family. So these days we are eating later, but we are eating together. The book didn’t solve our dinnertime woes of picky eaters and hectic schedules, but it did give me 200 pages of pictures and reminders of how to do it better, and why it’s essential to keep doing it.

I just love this book! My six-year-old son overheard me talking about the idea of making up a story together, with everyone contributing one sentence, and insisted we try it that night over dinner. Well, both kids were mesmerized as we created our story (an empty building, a ghost, a scared dad…) and my son wrapped up the whole plot with a twist about a surprise party. It was amazing to see their creativity in action! We will definitely be playing this game (and the others in the book) again!

Just wanted to let you know that our 14 year old Breakfast Book Club just chose The Family Dinner as our book for next month. It is such a wonderful way to share excellent recipes and connect with your friends by sharing anecdotes from the book and from our own family dinners. We take turns cooking for each other at our meetings and I guarantee this book is going to become a favorite resource. Thanks for such a fun, thoughtful and useful book! Spread the love through The Family Dinner!

I am such a believer in family dinners and talking to each other that I started a business that is designed to help people have fun, memorable conversations at home and on the go. How else are we going to keep connected in our electronics-dependent world?

I watched the tv show The Talk today 1/6/11 and you made the commett about TACO TUESDAY!
That is our registered trade mark, so it can NOT be used only by TACO JOHN’S………
Thank You
Diana Svoboda

I just ordered the book and am looking forward to reading it cover to cover. From what I’ve heard, it right up my alley. I cook every night for my family. Life is crazy busy, but I fit weeknight cooking into the day. I am not special in this way – anybody can do it. We just need inspiration and little know – how.

I’ve seen you in one the ladies tv show. Different kind of foods were shown on the table. One of the foods that were shown on the table that caught my attention was the one that looks like ravioli.

You had mentioned in the tv that all those foods that were shown on the table are in the book.

I checked your book in the bookstore and I looked for the ravioli in the index and table of contents but could not find it.

Can you tell me on what page of your book that I can find that ravioli?

Thank you very much,
~Eden

Dear Laurie, Your book is wonderful! Your message- imperative. Thank you for the inspired thoughts on family bonding, ideals for a greener home and (Kirsten) the nurturing family friendly recipes. Above all, thank you for speaking about this very scary time on behalf of our health. I feel it is so important for people to be better informed about consumer choices; how small changes(i.e. reduce plastic, buy in bulk & reuse those wonderful glass containers!) can prevent exposure to chemicals, save money and create a healthy environment for our children to(eat &) grow! We’ll be thinking of you guys when Spring arrives. You’ve given me new reasons to value my little garden plot. This book is so much more than a cook book, it’s a treasure!

Dear Laurie and Kristen,
Thank you a hundred times over for writing this book. It has truly changed the lives of everyone in my family. I have four children ages 3 to 11. They participate in every activity from travel baseball and basketball to horseback riding, dance and everything in between. As each child was born and we were spread more and more thin, somehow family dinners in my home literally ceased to exist. I would actually long for the end of the day to have a peaceful dinner by myself or with my husband after putting everyone to bed. Then i heard you, Laurie, on Dr. Oz’s show a few weeks ago and i was captivated. I ordered the book and now carry it around like a Bible, reading every quote, idea, comment and recipe. When i first started reading it i actually cried because it was so scary to me that i almost missed this crucial piece in the development of my children. I have also told so many people about this book and it is spreading like wildfire. One of my friends who is a teacher has shared it with her class and they are going home and telling their parents they have to and want to eat together as a family. I am now doing a “FAMILY DINNER” gift basket for our PTA Auction and i’m having the kids create and decorate cards with games and conversation starters. We’ll also include your book, placemats, candles, placemats, spaghetti, marinara, etc. if i can get the parents to donate.
I will also be giving this type of a basket to people as gifts, every chance i get!

I bought SAT picture cards and the Book of Words YOu Should Know. My kids put projects, tests, etc. in the middle of the table after school and share them at dinner time. We play gams, learn new words and discuss world issues. It has changed or lives. I thought it would be impossible to do with our schedules but somehow we have managed to carefully weave these dinners into our day. My husband has even phoned in from the airport. I lay the phone on the table and put it on speaker if he is out of town.
Oh, and the recipes are oh soooo good! Tacos, sausage and white bean stew, tomato soup, chicken parm,……

My five-year-old shared his “rose” last week at dinner and said that his “rose” was having family dinner. He also calls it having restaurant sometimes( because of the candles) ithink that’s the cutest! I now look forward to these dinners together with my family more than anything!
Thank you,
Kisha

Thank you so much for this book!!! It has changed our family!I saw Laurie on “The Talk” and decided to buy the book. I am the mom of 4 young sons ranging in age from 7-4 months. Dinner time had been very stressful because my husband and I were always harping on the boys to eat their dinner. There wasn’t much fun or conversation at the table.

I bought your book last week and immediately began to implement some of the ideas. I typed up our list of 5 rules and lit some candles for the first meal. The boys loved it! We played some of the games and they ended up eating more and staying at the table longer. Thank you for making dinnertime enjoyable again.

Last night we had pizza on paper plates in the dining room by candlelight. The first thing the boys asked me was “What is our question to talk about tonight?” They were so excited!
My 5 year old said, “Dinnertime is awesome now!” That comment made my heart soar!!! Thank you soooo sooo much! Dinnertime is fun again!!
Karen

This book is wonderful! I don’t even have children but it reminds me of the thing my parents did right. It will be a great helper someday when i’m trying to pass on all things that I hold dear…. thanks.

I made the Apple Cider Chicken from your book for dinner last night, and it was a huge hit.  There was quite a bit of liquid in the final dish, and I wonder if I should do something different next time I make the dish to avoid that, or would you suggest I serve it over a grain of some sort?  I also decided that I will serve it alongside roasted brussel sprouts next time.