Are you in your MUber stage?
Samantha Gandini carries her children’s belongings as she prepares to drive them around for the day in Wantagh. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
When the dismissal bell rings at my son's middle school, it signals the start of a rat race that will take us well into the night.
My mom or I will pick him up, then shoot over to my daughter's elementary school, then back home to do homework before my husband or I have to take a kid to religion, then to dance or gymnastics, and hockey or soccer.
If my husband is reffing that night, it's sometimes just me making multiple trips to get everyone where they need to be — often working on my laptop in my car or catching up on a Netflix show on my phone.
Like most parents, I spend a lot of time shuttling my kids from school to dance to sports and more. Credit: Newsday/Tara Conry
One Long Island mom told us she turned her car into her "wellness spa" so she can use this time to unwind. Learn how she and others are making the most of it.
We're calling this service MUber (or mom Uber), an ad hoc volunteer taxi service composed of (mostly) mothers, dads, grandparents, carpools and some paid help dedicated to shuttling kids around to all their activities.
Mine are only ages 6 and 11, so they won't be driving themselves anytime soon, and according to many of the moms of teens we spoke with, I should expect the schedules to only get busier. Plus, studies are showing Gen Zers are less interested in getting their license than generations before them.
Find out why — and learn about an alternative program that Uber offers for teens.
How applying to college has changed
Stony Brook University accepts about half of the first-year students who apply, making it one of the harder SUNY colleges to get into. Credit: Stony Brook University/John Griffin
The next time you find yourself killing time waiting for your kids' practice to wrap up, you might want to read up on how the college search process has changed.
As Newsday gets ready to launch its Essential Guide to College in New York, we're taking a look this week at five ways applying to college has changed since we were in high school.
Or if you're curious about your student going the trade school route, check out these success stories from Long Islanders.
Looking for some hocus-pocus?
The "Witchcraft" Halloween pop-up comes to Smithtown. Credit: Unique Social Events
If you're looking for more traditional fall fun, like pumpkin patches, corn mazes and haunted houses, this guide has you covered.
But if it's something more unusual you seek, maybe even magical, there are two events happening for fans of "Harry Potter" and Disney's "Hocus Pocus."
On Long Island, fans of all ages can enjoy this "Witchcraft" pop-up featuring the Sanderson sisters.
"Harry Potter" fans can encounter Hagrid in the "Forbidden Forest." Credit: Fever
And if you're willing to drive off the Island, "Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience" is returning to Westchester for the first time in four years, transforming a wooded trail into a nighttime journey through the wizarding world. (I've already got my tickets.)
Check out Newsday's 2026 Fall FunBook for more ideas for family outings.
More for moms
Get more content you care about by following Long Island Moms on Instagram. Credit: Instagram/Long Island Moms
Follow Long Island Moms on Instagram and Facebook to see what else we're talking about, including AI in classrooms, fall recipes and more recommendations of fun things to experience close to home.
Have thoughts for me? Email workingmoms@newsday.com.
