All parents want their children to have the best start in life. They want them to be healthy, have lots of friends, make the most of their time at school and ultimately lead happy and fulfilled lives. As parents we can't always protect our children from the challenges of the outside world - but there's a lot we can do to help them enter the big wide world as healthy and confident individuals. This invaluable guide for parents is divided into two parts. Childhood is about havng fun, but it's also the time when children need to learn how to grow confidently, and how to interact with others in a considerate manner. Part One will help you to: * Encourage your child's social and self-help skills * Manage your child's behaviour successfully * Promote your child's emotional wellbeing Too much fast food and a 'couch potato' lifestyle can present major health concerns for today's children but, as many parents are aware, encouraging healthy eating and exercise in children is often difficult. Part Two starts with the stages of development from birth through to adolescence and shows you how to: * Produce healthy balanced meals * Minimise the risks of allergies and intolerances * Avoid unhealthy foods