Nutritious breakfasts
Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Ben’s choice for kick-starting his family’s day? Oats, in the form of muesli and porridge.
School lunches
Ben helps answer that perennial question, what to put in the school lunchboxes, by sharing his kids’ lunch of choice – sushi.
Resilience
How well we deal with the challenges and disappointments in life comes down to something known as ‘resilience’ and the environment we create for our children helps to nurture this important trait.
Managing stress
As much as we hope for a stress-free life, there’s no avoiding the downs that accompany the ups. We all have to deal with stress, from the everyday trials through to the more serious challenges we all face at some point in our lives.
Children’s sexuality
Research tells us that if we’re confident talking to our children about sex and relationships from an early age, they are more likely grow up to be healthy, happy and sexually-responsible adults. They should find it easier to resist peer pressure and express their beliefs and values, delay sexual activity, have fewer sexual partners and be less likely to have an unplanned pregnancy or get a Sexually Transmissible Infection (STI).
Family violence
Family violence is a heartbreakingly huge problem in New Zealand, with many thousands of women and children living in abusive situations, permanently on high alert and in constant fear for their safety.
Learning to ride a bike
Riding a bike is a fundamental skill that is recognised the world over with providing children with a sense of achievement and independence. So what are you waiting for?!
Being water safe
As Kiwis, we love the water – playing or swimming in it, boating or sailing on it, or simply enjoying our stunning coastline, beaches, lakes and rivers. But sadly, every year, a large number of New Zealanders lose their lives to drowning. So how do we keep our children safe in and around water?
Team sport – using a bat
Much and all as you might dream of having a future sports star in the family, don’t be in too much of a hurry to sign them up for a team, say the experts.
Team sport – using a ball
When your child takes up a new sport, it’s the beginning of new relationships for them and for you if you decide to get involved.