Many of our teens are smart, capable young people who are self-sufficient, self-motivated, mature enough to be left on their own, and responsible enough to be in charge of someone younger. I will never forget the first time I realized that my son could stay home and finish up his homework while I ran to the market. It was liberating for both of us. A few years later, he was even old enough to babysit his younger sister. Of course, it isn’t fair or wise to assume that an older child knows everything he or she should about caring for someone younger; something unexpected can always occur. Whether your teen is an older sibling ready to be in charge of a younger one, or a would-be babysitter interested in earning money looking after neighborhood kids, the effort spent learning the basics of CPR, Stranger Danger, and when to seek help can help you and other parents to feel good about leaving your teen in charge.

Apple picking is a fall tradition in the northeast. In Westchester, we're lucky to have so many local orchards to choose from. In addition to options in Westchester and Rockland, Dutchess and Orange counties offer many more apple picking farms and orchards. Here we gathered our top 5 picks for a day of family fun.

In addition to apple and pumpkin picking, these orchards offer lots of activities including petting zoos, puppet shows, haunted houses, corn and apple mazes, rides, even wine tasting! In addition, some offer other pick-your-own options including nectarines, plums, eggplant and peppers.

For more seasonal fun, check out our September Go List and our roundup of local fall festivals. 

As the weather gets cooler and activities turn indoors, there's no reason kids have to stop playing the sports they've grown to love--or are expressing an interest in trying out. Luckily, there are a few places across Long Island that offers children the chance to stay active no matter what the weather is like outside. These complexes offer indoor sports facilities that cater to leagues for little ones, clinics, birthday parties and more. And for more extra-curricular activities, check out our Long Island Classes Guide.

If you’ve ever visited Washington, D.C., you’ve probably felt the pang of jealousy that entry to the Smithsonian Institution is free. Who wouldn’t want to see great art and rotating exhibits without opening their wallet? Well, now’s your big chance. Saturday, September 27, marks the 10th annual Museum Day Live! On this day, hundreds of museums nationwide offer free admission to visitors, orchestrated by Smithsonian Magazine. Of course there are many fantastic NYC museums participating in this event but we are happy to report that there are also several museums throughout Westchester and the Hudson Valley that are also partaking--and we've got all the details! Read on to find out which museums are participating, how to get your FREE tickets and other fun perks.  

Applying to preschool is one of the most important (and potentially harrowing) experiences for young children and their parents. It’s the beginning of their education, their introduction to schooling and their foundation for a life of learning. In NYC, we are lucky to have many preschool choices available, but it can be a lot of work to figure out which one is best suited to your child.

We asked directors from participating preschools at one of our recent Preschool Fairs to share their insights about the admissions process and what parents should look for in a program. Who better to explain how to navigate this journey than these experts, who help families find the right schools for their kids every day? Read on for their top tips.

As a cliched jaded New Yorker, I am rarely starstruck. But I found myself grinning like a baby when I met Bob, Maria, Oscar the Grouch and Abby Cadabby at a special preview of the Sesame Street exhibit that just opened at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. (Look for my full review on Sunday.) When I was growing up in NYC in the '70s, Sesame Street was my preschool experience. But early childhood education today is a whole other world. That's why we're proud to be sponsoring this Saturday's Lower Manhattan Early Childhood Education Fair with HRP Mamas, where parents can meet preschool directors from some of downtown's most prestigious programs while tots have fun making adorable WeeWork clothespin critters at the Mommy Poppins table. The fair is FREE but preregistration is required.

Fall officially arrives next week, which means apple- and pumpkin-picking season are about to kick into high gear. This week we updated a bunch of posts in our Pick Your Own Guide including the best apple orchards in Westchester and Rockland County, and the top pumpkin patches in New Jersey, on Long Island and in Connecticut's Hartford County. And if you're on the hunt for giant corn mazes, try Long Island and Fairfield County, CT.

Happen to know a few kids in Massachusetts who are doing great things for their communities? Then nominate them for our Beantown site's Kids Who Really Rock contest. Finalists will be featured in a Mommy Poppins Boston post and get to appear on stage at the Boston Kids Really Rock music festival. One grand prize winner will also receive a $500 donation to a charity of his or her choice. We're accepting names through Saturday, September 27 so tell all your friends in MA.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week: