Got Kids?

Advice and humor on pregnancy, parenting, nutrition and the agony and ecstasy of raising kids.

Our partnership helps parents see that self-care isn’t selfish

An autism diagnosis can be overwhelming for parents. That’s what David and Joreen Varecka heard shortly after their son Gavin’s ...
Read More

What To Know About RSV and Flu This Winter

Why am I hearing so much about RSV and what can I do to keep my child healthy this winter? ...
Read More

Well-child visits over summer break:  Book them now!

It’s not too early to arrange the medical and dental visits your kids will need over the summer break from ...
Read More

Zachary’s Story: Making a Difference in Organ Donation

“I don’t always want to be known as the kid with a heart transplant,” he said. “I want to be ...
Read More
Picture of tissue box

Winter Offers Little Relief for People With Allergies, But Here Are Some In-Home Tips

Pollen and ragweed may not bother us at this time of year, but that doesn’t mean people who live with ...
Read More
Picture of family walking down path

The Practice of Gratitude

We’re wired to focus on the negative or what is missing in our lives. By intentionally focusing daily on what ...
Read More
picture of a boy standing next to a christmas tree

What Does Your 2020 Holiday Decorating Look Like?

Holiday decorating may look a little different for you this year. It has taken an interesting turn – not for ...
Read More
Picture of a dad and baby girl dancing

Get Moving With Your Family

Engaging your kids in a health-promoting lifestyle can be a fun way to enjoy time with your family! The more ...
Read More
Picture of mom hugging a daughter

Expert Q&A: How to Support Your Child’s Mental Health During the Pandemic

We sat down (virtually) with Dr. Saba Abaci, medical director for Safety Net Behavioral Health Children Services at Excellus BlueCross ...
Read More
Picture of a dad helping child with homework

Top 6 Tricks for Managing Kids, School, and Work

Since March, many of us have adopted the role of stay-at-home parent and teacher, as well as full-time employee. As ...
Read More
Mother helping child do homework

Time To Catch Up On Your Kids’ Annual Physicals

Whether your kids are back in the classroom this fall or online learning from home, now is the time to ...
Read More
Picture of someone spraying chemicals

The Dangers of Mixing Chemical Cleaners

Mixing chemicals of any kind is very dangerous. Sometimes chemicals are stored in an unmarked bottle or placed in a ...
Read More
Picture of a boy in a box

My Happy Place: Organization

Each time I have felt anxious, stressed or just overwhelmed, the answer is a messy drawer or closet away. Organization ...
Read More
Picture of a boy flying a kite in a park

Foster Care: A Rewarding Journey

Growing up as one of six kids, Sandra Smith of Chenango County always knew she wanted to be a mother ...
Read More
Picture of a woman sitting on her porch with her two sons

A Happy Medium: Our Family’s New Habits in These Unprecedented Times

They say it takes roughly 21 days to create a habit. As I write this, my kids and I are ...
Read More

World Asthma Day

May 5, 2020 is World Asthma Day, when the National Institutes of Health stands with patients, families, advocates, researchers, and ...
Read More
An older couple sitting on the floor of a room they just painted.

Get A Hobby!

Since Saturday, March 21, 2020 - and every weekend thereafter - Rick Nangreave, of Monroe County, has been painting. He’s ...
Read More
Picture of a person holding a phone with a black dog in the background

Defying the Laws of Probability, or, How We Got Our Dog

I thought my plan was virtually fail-safe, with only the smallest chance it would not succeed. But on February 21, ...
Read More
Picture of an older man and a younger man on a couch looking at a tablet screen laughing.

Social Apps Are Keeping Us Connected

For many of us who are now working from home, it can feel kind of crowded. The kids are remote-learning ...
Read More

It’s Time to Have “The Vape Talk”

When Shaquana Divers talked with her teenage daughter about e-cigarettes, she was shocked to learn just how popular they are with ...
Read More

Hidden Gems: The Ausable Chasm in the Adirondacks

This summer a group of us moms and our teens took a weekend trip to the Ausable Chasm in the ...
Read More

Fairies find a new home in Mendon Ponds Park

Countless hearts broke earlier this year when dozens of fairies were evicted from their homes in Henrietta’s Tinker Nature Park ...
Read More

Bunny Tales: The Squirrels Ate my Eggs and Other Easter Stories

As with most holidays, there are favorite (and unusual) stories – and plenty of bloopers. Here are some of our ...
Read More

Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival

For many years, my family has not missed the Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival. It is a great FREE, community ...
Read More

How Parents Can Spot the Signs of Substance Abuse

Parents know there’s a lot to keep up with in the fast-moving world of teens. The latest trends in fashion, ...
Read More

A Grandmother’s story: What you need to know about cystic fibrosis

On September 6, 2011, I was introduced to a beautiful new grandson named Owin. All outside appearances indicated that he ...
Read More

How one person used the NYC Marathon to support those with Down Syndrome

Jack J. Stout decided he didn’t like his weight gain and cholesterol numbers. What did he do to get healthy? ...
Read More

The Meaning Behind the Teal Pumpkin: Help for Children with Allergies on Halloween

Some of my favorite memories as a kid are from Halloween. I remember dressing up as a witch to go ...
Read More

From Foster Child to Child Advocate

When Nina Hoyte was six months old, she and her then two-year-old brother were placed in foster care.  Young Nina's mom ...
Read More

15 Tips for Avoiding the Freshman 15

Welcome to college: don't forget to throw your health out the window and get ready for a stressful ride! Isn't ...
Read More

Hidden Gems: Upstate N.Y. Spray Parks

Baby, it’s hot outside. This summer, we’ve had so many heat waves that kids can barely play outdoors before they ...
Read More

Empty Nest Syndrome: A Kid’s Perspective

Many of us think of empty nest syndrome as something only parents go through, but the idea of leaving our ...
Read More

How to Get Teens Away from Video Games and Outside

Video games like Fortnite are becoming more and more popular by the day. It doesn’t help the fact that they ...
Read More

Yes – Your kid can give it a tri! Empowering Kids with the Rochester Youth Triathlon

Do you want to empower kids to be active? The Rochester Triathletes do this through the Rochester Youth Triathlon on ...
Read More

5 Firework Safety Tips for Summer

As we approach the Fourth of July, I can’t help but notice the increase in road-side tents, filled to the ...
Read More

10 Pool Safety Tips for Summer

I find a reason every year to delay the opening of our backyard pool. I declared last spring, for example, ...
Read More

Life after College: How to Ease a Graduate’s Biggest Fear

I’m graduating. I’ve been saying those words a lot lately…mostly in my head. For the past couple of months, it’s ...
Read More

You’ll Never Guess Where the Best Playground Is…

I’d been in the car seven hours with a cranky toddler, fussy first grader, and tired hubby. Even I was out ...
Read More

What You Need to Know Before Buying Sunglasses for Your Kid

Sunglasses for kids come in all sorts of fun sizes, shapes and characters. What young kid wouldn’t want police dog ...
Read More

A Mom’s Guide: Enjoying Winter in Upstate NY

I’ve recently dragged my family on a multitude of wintery adventures. Winter in upstate New York is frigid, endless and ...
Read More

Get a Flu Shot for Your Grandkid’s Sake!

When I was about to become a grandma for the first time, I did many of the typical things prospective ...
Read More

5 Ways to Avoid Getting Sick

Our family’s unfortunate holiday tradition doesn’t revolve around lavish turkey dinners or cheery family togetherness. ‘Tis the season – instead ...
Read More

Battling Lead Poisoning in Herkimer and Oneida Counties

According to area health departments, an alarming percentage of children in Herkimer and Oneida counties are not screened for lead ...
Read More

Tips for Not Driving Parents Crazy When Home for Winter Break

After reading my recent blog post, “4 Tips for Not Driving Your College Kids Crazy Over Thanksgiving Break”, my parents ...
Read More

Fire Safety Tips for Families

Every second counts when there’s a fire. Using those seconds wisely to get yourself and your loved ones out could ...
Read More

What Parents Need to Know About Concussions

Playing sports may be a milestone in your child’s life, but it also may be another notch in the worry ...
Read More

Pumpkin Picking at Chase Farms

My boys know the drill. Every Saturday, on our way to the grocery store, we’d first stop at Chase Farms, ...
Read More
is my child a bully?

Is My Child a Bully? Part 2

In a previous article, I discussed: Is My Child a Bully? (7 Tips for Parents of Bullies). This article picks ...
Read More

Finding Undetected Vision Issues in Kids

“Mark,” a preschooler, always seemed to be getting in trouble, acting out and having a hard time learning. Turns out, ...
Read More

Back To School For Kids With Anxiety Or Special Needs

Returning to school in the fall can be a tricky task for children who suffer from anxiety, autism, developmental disabilities ...
Read More

When Should Your Kid Visit the Dentist?

My 2 ½ year old welds his mouth shut whenever I try to brush his teeth. But there he was ...
Read More

Kids with Asthma can Breathe Easy This School Year

Jaime Anderson is a seasoned “mom of an asthmatic.” She’s dealt with many back-to-school moments since her now 11-year-old son, ...
Read More

7 Ways to Re-use School Supplies

I love (LOVE) school supplies. Walking into Office Depot or a Staples store is like a day at the spa ...
Read More

Hidden Gems: LaMora Farms Garden Gazebo

Have you ever stopped at a fresh produce stand and found the perfect healthy recipe to feed your very picky ...
Read More

Hidden Gem: Kershaw Park Beach

As a born and bred New Englander, I’m definitely an “ocean beach” snob. Give me waves and salty air over, ...
Read More

Hidden Gem: Corning Museum of Glass

THE WORLD OF GLASS When I mentioned to others I was headed to The Corning Museum of Glass, I heard ...
Read More

The Scoop on Frozen Desserts

WE ALL SCREAM FOR... Gelato! This summer, we discovered a small gelato shop that is now my family’s favorite go-to ...
Read More

22 Ice Cream Shops to Check Out This Summer

When I was a kid, my favorite ice cream shop was always the one closest to my house. It was ...
Read More

Hidden Gems: Grimes Glen

My husband and I recently ditched the kids with a sitter, fled south down Canandaigua Lake and landed in picturesque ...
Read More

Hidden Gems: Wild Wings Bird Sanctuary

Have you ever wondered whether the owls in Harry Potter could actually carry a Nimbus 2000? Or maybe you just ...
Read More

8 Ways To Pack A Healthy Lunch You (And The Kids) Will Actually Eat

You want to pack a lunch that you and your kids will actually eat. It might seem tough. But with ...
Read More

Conceiving A Miracle: When Getting Pregnant Isn’t A Given

"What are you guys waiting for?" That’s the question friends and family would ask every year at my son’s birthday ...
Read More
pregnant moms take note

Pregnant Moms Take Note: Sooner Isn’t Better

Reaching the 37th week of pregnancy with both of my boys felt like a big milestone. After heaving my bloated, ...
Read More

Twinkle, Twinkle Little UGH. Solutions for Parents who Hate Kids’ Music.

Becoming a parent stirs up a lot of fears. Will I be a good caretaker? Who will take care of ...
Read More

Fighting Cancer: A Teenager’s Story of Courage

Being a teenager and going through high school can be difficult. There are classes to keep up with, sports commitments ...
Read More

4 Tips for not Driving Your College Kids Crazy Over Thanksgiving Break

My mom always says that my coming home from college during breaks is a blessing and a curse. She loves ...
Read More
is my child a bully?

Is My Child a Bully? (7 Tips for Parents of Bullies)

Most parents take strong positions against bullying, until THEIR child is accused of being the bully. "Not my child!" they ...
Read More

The Hidden Culprit That Might be Changing the Color of Your Toddler’s Poop

Many moms are obsessed with the color of their toddler’s poop. But, did you know that the color of your ...
Read More

12 Family-Friendly Apple Farms in Upstate New York

My toddler began his first apple picking trip by collecting the rotten fruit off the grass, offering them to me ...
Read More

Backpack Pain is a Thing. What Every Parent Needs to Know.

When Jack, 5, saw the aisle full of backpacks, he loved the ones covered with his favorite characters from Paw ...
Read More

Hidden Ways to Save Money on Breastfeeding Gear

As a new mom, I didn’t have the time or energy to search for the best deals on baby stuff ...
Read More

When They Leave Us for College: Dealing With an Empty Nest

Mothers seem to have an internal clock that ticks down the days and hours until we have to drop off ...
Read More