"If you raise your children to feel that they can accomplish any goal or task they decide upon, you will have succeeded as a parent and you will have given your children the greatest of all blessings."

-Brian Tracy

I found this article on a website called Chec's Healthhouse which reinforces organic foods for children. Here is an excerpt:

Many parents who feed their children organic food believe that such a diet reduces exposure to pesticides. A recent study proves it, showing that children eating primarily organic foods are exposed to fewer organophosphate (OP) pesticides through diet than children who eat conventional foods.

The study, conducted by University of Washington scientists, is the first to test whether dietary changes can lower pesticide exposure.

The researchers followed the diets of two small groups of Seattle pre-schoolers whose parents kept food diaries. One group of children ate primarily organic foods, while the other ate primarily conventional foods. Then, the researchers tested urine samples obtained from the children for breakdown products (metabolites) of organophosphate (OP) pesticides. OP pesticides interfere with the transmission of nerve signals in the brains and nervous systems of insects and humans alike, making them potent neurotoxins.

The analysis revealed that children eating organic foods had signicantly lower levels of one particular breakdown product, dimethylthiophosphate (DMTP), than the children eating conventional foods. In fact, DMTP levels in the organic group were nine times lower than in the conventional group.

Taking their analysis one step further, the researchers determined how much exposure of OP pesticide residue on food would be necessary to produce the DMTP levels found in the children. The results reveal that children eating conventional foods are much more likely to be exposed to OP levels above standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as required by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996.

Oxydemeton-methyl, azinphosmethyl, phosmet and malathion were considered the most likely sources of OP exposure by the researchers since they make up the highest annual use on fresh fruits and vegetables.

The authors of the study concluded that "[c]onsumption of organic produce represents a relatively simple means for parents to reduce their children’s pesticide exposure."

"The greatest gifts you can give your children

are the roots of responsibility

and the wings of independence."

-Denis Waitley

I found this great website called bbc.parenting which gives good solid tips on building up children confidence:

Maintaining your child's confidence:

It's still vitally important for you to keep working at building your child's confidence throughout these years, especially as school life and friends may give it a sideways knock.

Suggestions:

Believe in your child and show it - let her know she's a worthwhile, lovable individual.
Give praise and positive feedback - your child measures her worth and achievements by what you think of her. "Well done, that was hard, and you managed it" is music to young ears. Reassure your child that it's OK to make mistakes and that it's all part of growing up.
Practise active, reflective listening - listen carefully, repeat what you've heard to make sure you understand and give positive prompts to encourage your child to continue.
Acknowledge your child's feelings - and help her express them verbally.
Criticise behaviour, not your child - it's very easy to fall into this trap, but too much criticism tells your child she's a bad person and is causing things to happen because of her own stupidity. This is very damaging if it goes on for a long time. Be clear that it's an action you're angry about or behaviour you don't like.
Respect your child's interests, even if they seem boring to you - take a genuine interest in your child's friends, and what's happening at school, and comment to show you're listening.
Accept any fears or insecurities your child expresses as genuine - even if they seem trivial to you, don't just brush them aside. If your child says "I'm useless at maths" say "You're obviously finding maths a struggle, how can I help you?".
Encourage independence - encourage your child to take chances and try new things. Succeeding gives a huge boost to confidence, and sometimes your child will need to learn by her mistakes.
Laugh with your child - never at her.
Focus on your child's successes - swimming, music, whatever she can succeed at.

Are you helping or hindering?
"I told you so" You've warned your child she shouldn't walk across the carpet carrying a cup full of milk and her dinner. She does it anyway, but trips and spills it. It's tempting to say: "Now look what you've done. I told you that you couldn't do it." Comments such as this make your child feel even worse than she does already for failing at something. Instead, try to give support by saying something like: "Oh no, you tried, but it didn't work. Never mind. Next time you could carry them one at a time."

Talking about your child It's not only the critical things said directly to your children that can undermine confidence. If your child overhears you tell someone that "she's got two left feet" or "she's so clumsy" they might think you really believe this and feel it can't be changed.

Putting yourself down Things you say about yourself can damage your child's self-esteem. Children learn a great deal from copying adults close to them. If you overreact to situations or pressure, your child may worry that you really can't handle life's challenges. This won't set your child an example of a positive, optimistic attitude to life and how to handle problems.

Thoughtless remarks Think before you speak and choose your words with care - it's very easy to say something without thinking, then wish you hadn't. "You're so clumsy" or "Don't be stupid" can be said in an irritated moment when the cereal is spilled or an innocent question is asked. Too many negative remarks like this can result in children believing they're useless or stupid.

All the following can damage a child's confidence:

saying you don't love them
saying you wish they'd never been born
insults or unkind remarks
deliberately ridiculing things your child does or feels
cruel teasing and sarcasm
endless nagging
aggressive shouting and swearing

Say "sorry" if you get it wrong
None of us are saints and we all sometimes say something and immediately regret it. If this happens, it's best to admit this to your child. Say: "I should never have said that. It was an unkind thing to say and I don't mean it. I'm just tired." Then have a cuddle and make up.

The most radical act anyone can commit is to be happy."

-Patch Adams