Children learn good behaviour when their parents guide them. When the guidance is positive and consistent, kids learn good habits.

Below are some of our favourite tips for encouraging good behaviour in kids.

Iron is an important nutrient for all of us, and particularly so for growing children. It's an essential mineral that supports the proper function of haemoglobin in the blood that transports oxygen. Without enough iron, the body makes fewer red blood cells, meaning less oxygen to organs and tissues, which will result in anaemia if not rectified.

It might be a strange concept that what’s going on in your gut is reflected on your skin. Still, growing evidence supports that dermal disorders, particularly the inflammatory ones, are often intimately linked to an imbalance in the gut and its microbiome.

A carrot a day keeps the eye doctor away. Can you remember your parents saying to you, 'Eat your carrots, they'll make you see in the dark!'? It turns out there's truth in that saying as carrots are an excellent source of Vitamin A, which is an essential nutrient required in a healthy diet.

As the days get shorter and cooler, every parent across New Zealand collectively girds their loins as cold and flu season descends upon us. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average adult gets two to three colds every year, with children typically getting even more.

Many parents are aware of such vitamins as C, D, calcium and iron on children's health. However, not many have heard about the essential nutrient choline and what it's about.

It's not surprising, though, as it was only acknowledged as a required nutrient recently - since 1998.

The escalating obesity rates amongst children in New Zealand has been an ongoing concern for many years. The latest New Zealand Health Survey (2019/20) found that one in 10 children are currently considered obese. Unfortunately, that places New Zealand as the second-worst in the OECD, ahead of only the United States.

If you're concerned about your child's immune system or want to do your part in protecting them during the Covid-19 pandemic we are currently in, chances are you have researched about or come across Elderberry and its benefits on your child's health.

Zinc is an essential mineral responsible for building tissues and facilitating optimal growth and development which is especially important during childhood.

This mineral is particularly important for the healthy development of the brain and reproductive organs as well as the structure of cell membranes and proteins. It also supports proper functioning of the immune system.

Christmas holidays are exciting for all but can be very stressful for mums, who seem to be the busiest out of the whole family during this hectic time. Family catch-ups and traditions, school functions and gifts, the list goes on!

As much as many parents understand that processed sugar isn’t ideal for their kids, they are often tempted to use it as a reward for good behaviour or to motivate kids to do something (for example, during potty training). So how much sugar is too much?

If you’re a mama from a hectic household filled with active kids, you probably don’t get to fully relax and spend time doing what you like and enjoy that often. We often hear that busy life gets in the way or mamas are dedicated to their kids so much, they forget about looking after their needs and wants.

Many parents understand that too much screen time isn’t good for their children and that being outdoors or playing games with their siblings or friends is more beneficial.

Besides the fact that fresh air is good for health and playing with others contributes to communication skills and imagination, there is another significant reason why parents should be limiting screen time for their kids - eye health!

Cooking or baking with the kids. Some parents love and embrace it on a daily basis; for others, even the thought of it makes you cringe.

If we embrace the mess, even occasionally, getting kids involved in the kitchen can be a lovely bonding experience - not to mention educational.

As spring approaches in New Zealand, many rural schools and communities have preparations well underway for local and regional Calf Club/Ag Day events.

Little lambs, calves, goats and chickens will be hand-reared with love in the hopes of winning colourful ribbons to grace children's bedroom walls.

Every pregnancy is special no matter whether it’s first or second or third. The key here is to give your unborn baby the best start in life as they start their development journey in utero.

The first and foremost advice is to keep healthy, which means not to drink or smoke (or be around smoke), exercise regularly, avoid stress and take vitamins suitable for pregnant women. Below we go in more detail about it.

Lockdowns around the world didn't just mean a new experience for us all, but also a reset button for both nature and humanity.

A crisis can also be seen as an opportunity, as humans learn from mistakes. Many of us found their weaknesses and strengths during the lockdown, what made us tick and what didn't, so we can now take this knowledge into the next chapter of the challenging 2020 and hopefully make it better.

Many families have animals, and many don’t. There is a lot of responsibility that comes with owning a pet, but what are the benefits of kids growing up with a pet?

Keeping children active while stuck indoors whether due to lockdown, illness or wet and stormy weather - doesn't have to mean turning your lounge suite into a trampoline park.

Movement is essential for developing brains, and children are constantly learning through exploration and play, often, this learning is their gross motor skills. It is a great idea to let your children explore their limits and capabilities, as well as the health benefits of movement and exercise.

With the recent New Zealand lockdown and uncertain times ahead, many people have been forced to get used to a new environment. For families with younger children, it means having energetic kids at home 24/7 trying to keep them entertained and the whole family sane.