Author: Laura Livingston Snyder

When I think about the perfect holiday, it’s casual and involves fuzzy socks and pajamas, not pantyhose and Spanx. If you’re like me, then an important part of enjoying your season is figuring out how to maximize your fun and minimize your hassle. So, consider these ideas for keeping your spirits high and your sanity intact throughout the month of December.Plan ahead. Talk to family members and figure out what’s happening, where it’s happening and who’s doing what. Who will host which day? Will there be overnight guests? Organize menus and assign dishes. A potluck prevents one person from taking on…

A baby’s journey through childhood leaves a lasting impression. He also leaves behind mounds of outgrown clothes and accessories. Some people save everything, hoping to reuse the items for subsequent children, but eventually it all has to go. If you have a basement full of stuff that can only be used with a time machine, a yard sale may be in your future. There are very simple rules to follow to ensure a successful sale, and they fall into the categories of: scheduling, time, organization and presentation. Investing a few dollars will also increase the odds for a profitable clean-out. Selecting…

Of all the traditions a parent could follow while raising children, getting the annual Christmas tree is probably one of the most memorable. No two seasons are ever exactly the same, and the stages the kids go through change significantly from year to year. Getting a Christmas tree in Central New York is an ever-changing event. Back in 2004, we tried to wait out the snowless weather. The entry in my journal on Dec. 12 complained if we waited any longer it would be Christmas. The day turned out to be rain-free without any lines. Generally, I like to stay…

Summer is synonymous with unwinding at the beach, relaxing by the campfire with family, and traveling. Make your next vacation one that’s as easy on the wallet as it is on the nerves with these 10 tips. 1. Make the commitment Booking reservations in advance offers the best selections and the best prices. Look for early-bird incentives. Travel insurance is always a gamble, but if the trip includes connecting flights and time-sensitive departures, it will be worth the price just for peace of mind. Spontaneous trekkers can get rock-bottom prices for certain destination vacations, such as cruise ships days away…

After this brutal winter, I wasn’t sure if spring would ever arrive. But nothing stays the same for long. In a way it’s like our children. Some stages seem to last forever, and others fade away without a memento to hold onto. That’s where these do-it-yourself blooms come in. Fresh flowers fade, but these homemade ones will last. And they make great gifts for teachers, mothers or grandmothers. This craft project would be best for kids to do with a grown-up. It’s a chance to do something constructive and fun with your child. I took the original idea for this…

Keep kids busy with a simple but engaging craft that will have them focused on contributing to Thanksgiving dinner and what it means to be thankful.

Groups and websites that discourage immunizations are fueling a movement away from vaccines through scare tactics and misleading stories. Like a dangerous version of the game Telephone, social media helps spread misinformation. As a result, fewer children are receiving preventative care and the protection it conveys. Jonathan Chai is a Yale graduate, neonatologist, and director of the neonatal intensive care nursery at St. Joseph’s Hospital. He works exclusively with newborn care and has noticed parents declining vaccinations and other care for their children in Syracuse. “We’ve seen an increasing refusal of immunizations and standard preventative treatment. It’s been increasing over…

Not long ago, I gathered our children around for a family meeting to announce their newest chore: helping make dinner.

Less than 24 hours after the last day of school, I hear these words: “Mom, I’m bored.” What to do? A full-fledged vacation may not be in the cards, but a fun-filled day trip certainly can be. Consider Utica in the Mohawk Valley as a great place to get away. Clocking in at an easy hour via either Route 31 or Interstate 90, Utica is a multifaceted place to explore. My boys and I recently had a chilly day to take in the sights. First on our list was the Utica Children’s Museum. This is like the mini-me of Rochester’s…

For even the most attentive and protective parents, an emergency may arise and require immediate medical attention. As a mom to two boys with severe hemophilia, a genetic bleeding disorder, I’ve spent my share of time in ERs, and have learned what to expect and how to make the wait more comfortable for both myself and my child. Types of services We are lucky enough to have not only emergency rooms at hospitals but free-standing urgent or prompt care facilities. These offices have weekend hours and stay open much later than the 9-5s. They are able to see people without…