A random activity from the calendar of events
A World of Puppets
(Theater) Family puppetry series featuring various productions. Open Hand Puppet Theater. $8/adult, $6/child. 476-0466.

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A random recipe from the recipe exchange.
Healthy holiday happenings
Holiday eating....almost every month of the year you and your family are faced with the wonderful prospect of getting together for a happy and usually large holiday meal. And, with Thanksgiving and... More


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Winter fun
Kaitlyn poses for her babysitter who took this image of her playing outside....

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Syracuse Parent Feature Article(s)
The Syracuse Parent Features are cover stories pulled from our print edition. For ALL features, stories & more, pick up an issue of Syracuse Parent & CNY Family at one of our many locations.

How to encourage your baby to self-soothe

There are many things parents can teach their children. However, there are some things that children must learn for themselves. Soothing is one of them. But that doesn’t mean parents can’t provide... More

Snap, crackle, fiber? How to look for a healthy cereal

Diet advice on how to eat healthy is everywhere and can be confusing when trying to use this information to buy food. For example, cereal can be can be a healthy way to provide whole grains and still... More

Ten kids’ health issues to watch in 2011

As 2010 comes to a close, Nemours’ KidsHealth.org, a website devoted to children’s health and development, looks ahead with its annual list of “10 Kids’ Health Issues to Watch.” The physicians and... More

Holiday programs abound in CNY

Christmas Concert planned The MasterWorks Chorale, conducted by Maureen McCauley, will perform their annual Christmas Concert at 4 p.m. on Sunday Dec. 19 in Saint Mary of the Lake Church,... More

Make the season bright, not a chore

This year, when it comes to decorating, buying gifts and cooking, why not make the most of these chores by doing them with the ones you love? Let the kids hang the unbreakable ornaments on the tree.... More

Cultural Resources Council presents ‘The Adventures of Rudolph’

A Central New York holiday tradition, The Adventures of Rudolph, celebrates its thirty-second anniversary this year. The Cultural Resources Council of Syracuse & Onondaga County, Inc. (CRC) presents... More

Picnic packing without packing on the pounds

With warmer weather and the fourth of July just around the corner it only means one thing, outdoor eating season is upon us. A day at the beach or a picnic in the park is just part of many summer... More

Safe skies: Tips for traveling with children

The Problem Unlike when they are riding in a car, children under age 2 on an airplane are permitted to be held in an adult’s lap and are not required to be in an appropriately secured child... More

Staying eco-friendly when camping

Few vacation ideas are as family-friendly as camping. When vacationing, families may be concerned about financing their trip. In camping, however, individuals often find an affordable vacation... More

Camp costs: What families need to know

Camp is an important part of childhood, and has helped generations of children develop the life skills needed to become successful adults. Families considering a camp experience may be concerned... More

Food allergies: Be vigilant

By Jody Kearns RD, CDE Food allergies are common, affecting about 6 percent of children and 2 percent of adults. A food allergy is an abnormal response of the body to a certain food. Symptoms of... More

Weekend guided walks offered at Beaver Lake

Beaver Lake Nature Center in Baldwinsville invites everyone to come out, explore and discover the great outdoors during their naturalist led weekend guided walks. The outings offered at 2 p.m. every... More

Tips for healthy Easter treats

Every Easter, millions of children fill up on the jelly beans, chocolate bunnies and hard candies in their Easter baskets and become hyper as they savor their candies all week. Most parents never... More

Is it time for THAT talk with your daughter?

A new study in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine that indicates that discussing abstinence in a non-judgmental way had the best outcome in delaying the onset of sexual activity. As... More

Kids’ breakfast cereals

Have you ever watched cartoons with your child on Saturday mornings and noticed how many high sugar cereal commercials are shown? High sugar cereals are highly marketed towards kids. Just pass down... More

Writing’s all in the family

Uncle, nephew collaborate on chapter book Christopher Costello knows what it’s like to overcome hurdles. He and his twin brother, Brian, were born prematurely in 1999. At one pound 11 ounces, Chris... More

Bookworm Sez: “The Butt Book”

“The Butt Book” by Artie Bennett, illustrated by Mike Lester c.2010, Bloomsbury; $16.99 / $21.00 Canada; 32 pages The other day, you were watching TV and you got up for a minute to get something.... More

Bookworm Sez: “Children’s Book of Art”

“Children’s Book of Art” c.2009, DK; $24.99 / $29.99 Canada; 141 pages, includes index Your mother thinks she can remember the color of her refrigerator, but she’s not really sure. Before you were... More

Helping children prepare for a dental visit

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. According to the American Association of Endodontists 80 percent of Americans have some amount of fear or anxiety when it comes to going to the... More

Pass up the salt for a healthy heart

Lowering the amount of salt in you diet can help prevent or reduce high blood pressure. High blood pressure means the force of blood pushing against blood vessels walls is to high. If left... More

Visit zoo during Snow Leopard Days and receive discounted admission

Though falling snow and dipping temperatures make some outside activities a challenge, going to the zoo is easier than ever! “Snow Leopard Days” at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo reduce the price of zoo... More

Enjoy the great outdoors

Annual Winterfest & Snowshoe Race set for Jan. 30 On Saturday Jan. 30 Eastern Mountain Sports and Beaver Lake Nature Center are hosting the fourth annual Snowshoe Race & Winterfest. The 5K race... More

LDACNY partners with parents, educators to help children succeed

Patricia Cerro-Reehil, watching her son Ethan, 3, play and interact, became concerned. “… we noticed some deficit and were worried,” Cerro-Reehil said. As he grew older, the concerns also grew. “He... More

Does discipline really change the behavior of children?

Do you sometimes get frustrated disciplining your child because the discipline appears to be ineffective? Do you sometimes change your discipline in search of the most effective one to use on your... More

How do you get your preschooler to eat and eat well?

Feeding a 2-to-5-year-old is not always easy! Those of you, who are likely reading this, know all to well that this can be a challenge. Eating or not eating is often how preschoolers express their... More

The reason for the season

Parent asked local clergy to write about the history and meaning of both Christmas and Hannukah. Both Father James Fritzen and Rabbi Daniel Victor have written their columns about the true “reason... More

Santa or Jesus?

Is Christmas about Santa Claus or about Jesus the Christ, the God-made man? Or both? Whose calendar do we follow – Hallmark’s or the church’s? Is Advent a time of preparation or of... More

Hannukah:A dedication to sacred space

“The Land of Israel is situated in the center of the world, and Jerusalem in the center of the Land of Israel, and the Holy Temple in the center of Jerusalem...” -Rabbinic Commentary on the... More

MOST announces winners of competition

The Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST) is proud to announce the winners of the 200 Build’em and Bust’em Bridge Building Competition. Over 200 teams competed in this year’s... More

It’s all about ‘SmartPlay’

Karen Rutkowski, Early Literacy Educator at the Fayetteville Free Library, participated in the New York Library Association Conference Oct. 14-17 in Niagara Falls. The “Poster Session” is an... More

What is HPV and who should be vaccinated?

Submitted by Dr. John O’Brien A topic we are often asked to discuss in our office is HPV and vaccination against it. Many people have seen commercials for HPV vaccines or heard about this from... More

Dreams and sugarplums: Baby’s first Christmas

From the time I was a little girl, I wanted to be a mommy. A lot of little girls dream about what they’ll do when they grow up – the jobs they’ll have, the man they’ll marry, the places they’ll go.... More

Cherish these special days in simple ways

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it is important to stop, take a breath and look around. It’s the time of year when there’s a lot going on, and sometimes the little things get lost. It... More

Meet a 'seal' hero

Submitted by Anita Welych “Seal Hero Strikes Again!” read the headline of an article featured on the Protect Seals page of the website of the Humane Society of the United States. The “seal hero”... More

Improve your child’s snack time

by Nancy Rindfuss MA,RD,CDN,CDE, Upstate Hospital dietitian The American Dietetic Association created the following list of 25 healthy snacks. Read through them and see if you can improve your... More

Zoo’s newest penguin gets her name

Officials at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo have announced the winning entry in the zoo’s penguin chick naming contest. Ashley Redhead, 15, of Bridgeport, (pictured at right) submitted the winning name,... More

Everson Holiday Festival of Trees returns

The Everson Museum of Art’s Holiday Festival of Trees, presented by the Everson Members’ Council, will make a comeback in 2009. After a one-year hiatus, this holiday favorite will be returning,... More

Turning back the clock

Elementary students at the Montessori School of Syracuse started out the school year experiencing American History in all subject areas: math, science, writing, art, music and, of course, history!... More

Continuing on a path of hope

Teen raises awareness, funds in friends’ memory Abby Hoag, 13, just took a huge stand against ovarian cancer and wants you to join her. For her 13th birthday the Liverpool Middle School student... More

Keep kids safe this Halloween

As Halloween approaches, it is wise for parents to sit down with their kids and discuss safety when trick-or-treating. Here are some tips make sure your little goblins have a fun, safe... More

Children's hospital set to open

We start as children, so in thinking healthcare and wellness, children are the most appropriate starting point. And, what is a child without their family? This is the basic premise behind the... More

Nutrition & Health: 'Just a taste'

Did you know that eating just an extra 100 calories each day can add up to 10 pounds gained in a year? If you do the math: 3500 extra calories equals 1 pound. Just 100 extra calories each day for... More

Life lesson: A child's education can continue beyond the end of the school day

September's return to school is often met with excitement along with nervousness as children look forward to seeing their teachers and their friends as well as getting back to their activities... More

Pool safety

Seven tips for safer home swimming pools and hot tubs Now that summer is in full swing, stories about home pool or hot tub tragedies are making headlines across the county. With millions enjoying... More

Is your child getting enough daily exercise?

Has your pediatrician ever had the conversation with you that one or more of your children are “greater than the 95th percentile” in weight? Or have you ever noticed that your child prefers to stay... More

Onondaga Lake Skatepark Swings into Gear

The Onondaga Lake Skatepark is now open daily from 11 AM to 7 PM, weather permitting. The 16,900 square foot concrete skatepark features a Liberty Bowl, volcano, ledges, and funboxes. There will be... More

Barnes & Noble Plans Family Fun for "Turnoff Week"

Barnes & Noble in Dewitt and Clay will celebrate national “Turnoff Week,” April 20th through April 26th, with activities offering alternatives to television, the Internet, electronic games and other... More

St. Joseph's Raises Flag in Honor of National Donate Life Month

St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center will mark the start of National Donate Life month with a special flag raising and blessing of the "Donate Life" flag. The brief ceremony will take place Wed., Apr.... More

Free book outlines relatives' rights in caring for children

The State Office of Children & Family Services and the Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance have partnered to publish “Having a Voice and Choice, A Handbook for Relatives Raising Children.”... More

Happy Valentine's Day: 14 Ways to Show Love for your Child

Editor's Note: These tips are published with permission from the American Academy of Pediatrics web site. 1. Use plenty of positive words with your child. Try to avoid using sarcasm with your... More

Peanut butter recall has far-reaching effects

A combination of scientific analysis and laboratory testing by state officials in Minnesota and Connecticut, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention... More

New Video: Parents can't afford to be clueless

Two years ago Phil Rose, Program Coordinator of Underage Drinking Initiative at Prevention Network in Central New York, wrote the script to a new 10-minute video that will be shown to junior and high... More

Head Lice: Myths, Facts and How to Get Rid of Them

Head Lice: Myths, Facts and How to Get Rid of Them! September is National Head Lice Prevention Month. School is back in session, and no doubt, parents and schools might be dealing with head lice.... More

Research: Mom's encouragement key to dad's involvement in child care

Mothers play an important role in determining how much fathers get involved in taking care of their infants, according to new research. A study of 97 couples found that fathers were more involved... More

Local expert: Be intentional in relationships

By Ron Heilmann Marriage and Family Counselor In our debut edition of Mother Knows Best, June-August, Ron Heilmann outlined five ways couples can invest in their relationships. For the next... More

Mental health group publishes local, free guide

The Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program’s (CPEP) Children’s Health Innovation Project (CHIP) recently published a 100-page directory of mental health resources for children and adolescents in... More

Experts: Patience takes Practice

Though it’s hard to separate the virtues we possess, parenting experts agree that patience is one of the single most important attributes we can exhibit but is also the most difficult. No matter... More

Web safety lies in parents' hands

For the most part, the Internet is a rewarding place for both kids and teens, but the potential risks to their privacy and personal safety are real. Here are a list of resources parents can use to... More

Secrets of a professional organizer revealed

Geri Brown always starts her presentation titled “Less Clutter, More Time” with a black and white photo of her three young sons. She ends her presentation with a recent picture of her four... More

Child care financial aid: Help is available

In Onondaga County, the average cost of infant care in a child care center is $9,200 per year. Regulated home-based family child care, though less expensive, averages $5,600 for a pre-schooler. With... More