Ever since welcoming my third child last year, I feel as though I've been treading water. I'm never quite able to get ahead of the mountain of chores at home. So one of my New Year's resolutions is to climb out from under my pile of to-dos by doing a little outsourcing. Of course, NYC is filled with services that make people's lives easier—and some are even worth the money, especially since your time is truly valuable. Here are six that are helping make 2015 the year I finally find a little me (not just Mommy & Me) time.

Like most NYC parents with young kids, I've logged so many hours at our local parks and playgrounds, I feel like I've become an expert on which design elements work, and which totally fail. If you've always wanted to share your playground opinions, now's the time because the Parks Department is listening. Thanks to its Community Parks Initiative, $130 million will be used to redesign and rebuild 35 debilitated NYC green spaces. But before the renovations begin, the Parks Department is holding a series of Community Input Meetings where families can offer their ideas and hopes for these parks.

To say my family loves college football is an understatement. I originally met my husband at a game, and our firstborn's birth announcement was a replica of a Sports Illustrated cover with our son proudly wearing my alma mater's colors. Given our obsession, for us, the holiday season isn't just about seeing Santa, Christmas trees and department store windows, it's about watching college football. There are plenty of big college football events around this time of year, including the presentation of the Heisman Trophy and the annual Pinstripe Bowl, both of which take place right here in NYC.

Read on for all the details plus other ways your family can root for your favorite teams (be they near or far) right here in New York City.

The holiday season is upon us and you may be wondering how you'll be able to afford to fulfill everyone's wishes. Our generous sponsors can help with deals on everything from live theater to indoor entertainment so your brood can beat the winter blues in NYC and beyond. We've also got discounts on birthday parties and babysitting for when you're ready to take a break from it all. Read on for all the bargains, but don't delay as they may disappear faster than your holiday budget.

The words teen and free rarely go hand in hand, except, it seems, at NYC museums. Just last month, we told you about the Metropolitan Museum of Art's first-ever FREE teen night. And now this Friday evening, the Museum of Arts and Design is hosting its own FREE fete for teens featuring cool and creative activities.

MAD's FREE Teen Night isn't new. It actually debuted back in 2012, but it has evolved a lot since then. MAD’s Teen Trustees and the Museum Teen Summit collaborated on this year's edition, which means the event is planned by its target demo. And who knows what teens want better than their peers?

Halloween inevitably ends with way too much candy, which is why we're big fans of donating or repurposing excess treats. But you know what else we have too much of on the holiday? Decorative pumpkins and gourds. Often they sit and rot on windowsills and stoops until they cave in, at which point parents can finally convince their kids to chuck 'em in the trash. But there's a more fun and environmentally friendly way to get rid of your jack-o'-lanterns: Recycle them at Pumpkin Smash, a series of FREE composting events being held throughout the five boroughs this Saturday, November 1.

Take a break from the daily grind of work and school by enjoying enriching family fun with these great deals from our sponsors. Save big on live theater, a magic show and parties. Plus, we've got a discount on test prep that can help kids with the upcoming G&T tests.

Read on for all the details, but don't delay. All deals are for a limited time only.

NYC teens have it good when it comes to cool cultural events. There are so many amazing opportunities open to them, and many are totally FREE. Earlier this week, we told you how teenagers can snag no-cost classical concert tickets through the New York Philharmonic's new Free Fridays program. And today we've got the scoop on this Friday's Teens Take the Met, a brand-new initiative at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that comes with FREE admission and a slew of special interactive activities. It almost makes me wish I were an adolescent again (just without the acne and drama).