BERGEN COUNTY MOMS

When a child experiences anxiety, a parent’s natural instinct is to step in and make the discomfort disappear. While this response comes from a place of love, certain accommodations can unintentionally reinforce the anxiety cycle over time. S.P.A.C.E. Therapy (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) empowers parents with practical, evidence-based tools to respond differently—helping children build confidence, independence, and long-term emotional resilience with

As parents, our primary job is to prepare our children for life. Yet, so much emphasis is placed on academic preparation for college, often at the expense of nurturing the attitudes and skills that truly help them navigate life’s challenges. While a solid education is important, preparing for life goes beyond textbooks and classrooms  —it involves encouraging our kids to experience life firsthand. We are all experiential learners; we learn best by doing. The lessons we learn

Weekend Events January 23-25, 2026 *Check all events for cancellations due to the forecast Forest Walk — Teaneck Creek Conservancy (CANCELLED due to Forecast) 📍 20 Puffin Way — Teaneck, NJ A winter nature walk opportunity to enjoy fresh air and gentle trails in this eco-art park (programs vary by date — check registration). Sat, Jan 24 Morning/afternoon nature walk sessions (times vary) Typically free or donation-based; family-friendly outdoor nature exploration. Sap to Syru

We know what you’re thinking – blondies made with chickpeas ? But this blondie (aka brownie) recipe is a delicious, healthy alternative to traditional chocolate chip blondies without sacrificing any flavor! Including these beans is a great way to add extra protein and dietary fiber to the family diet. Try using raisins in place of chocolate chips for an added twist and boost of iron. Ingredients: 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats 1 cup whole wheat flour 2 tablespoons ground fl

​ New Year, New You GIVEAWAY! 🎉 $1,000 Slate Medspa Gift Card ​ The New Year deserves something special—and this is it ✨   Slate Medspa is celebrating one Bergen County mom with a luxury glow-up experience!   One lucky winner will receive a $1,000 Slate Medspa Gift Card to use toward any treatment of their choice, including: ​ ✨ Medical-grade facials✨ Injectables✨ Laser treatments✨ Body sculpting✨ Weight loss injections   Whether your New Year goals include glowing skin, r

Is your child looking to get ahead, earn high school credits, or explore exciting new interests this summer? The Saddle River Day School (SRDS) Summer Academy offers a focused and challenging curriculum that allows students in grades 5–12 to advance their studies and gain credits in an enriching, inspiring, and dynamic environment. “Students leave our program with increased self-confidence, newfound skills, and a true sense of accomplishment. Our curriculum provides a rigoro

Living with Borderline Personality Disorder can feel like being on an emotional rollercoaster—intense feelings that shift rapidly, relationships that feel unstable, and a persistent sense of emptiness that’s difficult to describe to others. If you or someone you care about is experiencing these challenges, you’re not alone. BPD affects approximately 1.4% of the adult population in the United States, according to the National Institute of Mental Health , and effective treatmen

A goal is connected to an emotion. It’s great when the emotion is excitement; your brain will naturally want to move toward it. However, if it feels like pressure — something you need to do or should do — instead of something you want to do , your brain will see it as a burden. You’ll likely procrastinate and maybe give up. Your brain gives you what you think most about: the good, the bad, and the ugly. What if you stop using "need to, have to, and should" and replace them w

Make Tuesdays “taco night” with this easy dinner that is simple and fun to make. Your kids can pitch in chopping and cooking, too! This recipe starts with a homemade taco seasoning that makes the proteins taste delicious. This recipe is an excellent source of vitamins A and C and the mineral iron. Ingredients: Homemade Taco Seasoning: ¼ cup chili powder 2 tablespoons cumin 1 teaspoon sea salt 1 tablespoon paprika 2 teaspoon coriander (yields 9 servings of 2 teaspoons) Taco

We are Proud to Share Some Exciting News! Bergen County Moms  has been recognized as a  Top Best New Jersey Blog  and  Top Best Mom Blog to Follow in 2026 —celebrating 9 years of consecutive recognition!   🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Out of thousands of blogs, we’ve earned this honor for our dedication to educating, inspiring, and empowering our readers through frequent updates, high-quality content, and a strong community presence on social media. We are so grateful for your ongoing

A new year brings a fresh start, and the perfect opportunity to refocus on you. After a busy holiday season, many of us step into January feeling off balance, low on energy, or not quite like ourselves. The good news? You don’t have to push through it alone. This is the year to prioritize your health from the inside out. True, lasting change starts with understanding your body, which is why our comprehensive medical health assessment takes a personalized, whole-body approach—

Living with social anxiety disorder can feel isolating, especially in New Jersey’s bustling communities from Jersey City to Chatham. At Lukin Center for Psychotherapy, we understand that social anxiety is more than just shyness—it’s a treatable mental health condition that affects millions of people across the United States. Social anxiety disorder (also called social phobia) causes intense fear and anxiety in social situations where you might be judged, embarrassed, or scrut

Step into the new year feeling confident, refreshed, and glowing . There’s no better time to invest in you  and become your most radiant, confident self yet. 1, 2, 3… FREE! 🎉 When you purchase a treatment package, one FREE treatment is included . Customizable packages feature client-favorite services such as: ✨ Photofacials ✨ Hair Removal ✨ Laser & Light Therapies ✨ Microneedling ✨ Chemical Peels ✨ Medical-Grade Facials ✨ Body Contouring ✨ Radio-Frequency Facial Rejuvenation

This fresh and flavorful creation uses the whole grain quinoa (pronounced keen-wah ), which is the only grain that naturally contains protein. The combination of vitamin C and iron in this recipe is really important, because your body uses the vitamin C to help absorb the iron. Feta cheese is really tasty, but if you prefer, substitute goat cheese. Get the kids involved in chopping, measuring, and mixing because this recipe is a fun family activity to pack for lunch, too! Ing

The benefits of having a water softening system with Superior Water Conditioning.

This year, the community is coming together to support Ryan Konzelmann, as the boys’ and girls’ basketball programs host their Annual Healing Through Sports and Coaches vs. Cancer Game on January 17th at Ridgewood High School. T he schedule will be as follows: 🏀 Girls JV vs Newtown 11:30am 🏀 Girls Varsity vs Newtown 1:00pm 🏀 Boys Varsity vs Glen Ridge 2:30pm Now in its 13th year, the event, founded by Jeremy O'Connell and Danny Brown, continues to unite communities through

With the season of giving upon us, you’re likely searching for thoughtful gifts that build connection and resilience rather than just adding to the toy clutter. As a licensed psychotherapist specializing in child development, I’ve compiled my top ten therapeutic resources that make excellent holiday gifts while supporting your child’s emotional growth and mental health. These aren’t just books and toys—they’re evidence-based tools that help children develop crucial skills lik

The holiday season is a wonderful time of year to bake cookies. If gingerbread cookies top your list, you will love this slimmed-down favorite! Bake and decorate as a family to fill your kitchen with happiness and the delicious aromas of the season. This scratch dough also bakes well using gluten-free flour. Kids of all ages love making the icing and designing the cookies. Enjoy! Ingredients: 1 ¾ cups whole wheat flour 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons ginger, ground

✨ Holiday Date Night WINNER ✨​ WIN $100 Gift Certificate to The Brick House in Wyckoff, NJ ​Congratulations to Joanne Retkwa! 🎉​​​​ ​ ​ Joanne will enjoy an unforgettable night at the historic Brick House—northern New Jersey’s premier steakhouse, where exceptional dining meets timeless charm. ​ THANK YOU to everyone who entered our giveaway! Visit The Brick House The Brick House 179 Godwin Ave | Wyckoff, NJ 07481 201.848.1211 The Brick House, a Wyckoff NJ restaurant and even

Every holiday season, we promise ourselves we’ll be intentional. Thoughtful. Minimalist. And then somehow, we end up panic-buying another gadget, another sweater, and something that quietly migrates to the back of a closet by Presidents’ Day. This year, let’s flip the script. Instead of giving  stuff , let’s give something far more powerful: confidence around money. Because toys break. Trends fade. But knowing how to save, spend, invest, and give? That pays dividends long aft

In my world, a curious question is designed to help your teens think for themselves and learn to problem-solve. A curious question is not: checking up on your teen. a way to make yourself feel better that things are getting done. to help you feel empowered, that you’re doing something. ‌ Because curious questions are not about you. ‌ Let me say that again. Curious questions are not about you. ‌ They are entirely about your child. They are questions that nudge your child int

No Room On Santa's Sleigh? Drop Them at Doggie Daycare! The Madison Dog Resort & Spa are northern New Jersey’s premier 7200 sq ft cage-free boutique dog resort and spa. They are changing the pet care industry and believe in the quality of care over the quantity of dogs to provide exceptional care with lots of love for your four-legged family members. Their state of the art facility lets your dog get loose, play with new friends and most importantly expend excess energy!

Spread the Joy This Holiday Season — Refer a Friend, and You BOTH Get $50 OFF! Glow, smooth, and sparkle together ✨🎁 At The Wellness at Ridgewood , they take beauty and wellness to the next level with a holistic, clinically guided approach. Their medspa combines decades of medical expertise, aesthetic artistry, and a shared passion for helping clients feel balanced, healthy, and confidently radiant from the inside out. You and your friend can enjoy services like: Hormone opt

Key Takeaway Sex therapy is specialized talk therapy that helps individuals and couples address intimacy challenges, sexual dysfunction, communication barriers, and emotional disconnection. At Lukin Center, our relationship therapists provide compassionate, evidence-based support for intimacy concerns across New Jersey. You don’t need to know exactly what’s wrong—we help you understand what’s happening and develop practical solutions. Seeking help is a sign of strength, and y

✨ Everything You Need for a Merry & Bright Season ✨ Embrace the magic of the season with everything you need for joyful gatherings, festive celebrations, and thoughtful gift-giving at Van Riper Plaza! Whether you’re hosting holiday dinners, checking off your gift list, or refreshing your winter style, Van Riper Plaza has it all. Discover your holiday essentials: ✨ Whole Foods  for holiday entertaining must-haves, seasonal treats, and gourmet foods ✨ Sephora  for festive beaut

The holidays have a way of bringing everything to the surface—love, loss, gratitude, regret. Even the anticipation of the season can stir up emotions you thought were settled.  When you’re estranged from an adult child, those feelings can intensify. A time that’s supposed to be warm and joyful can instead feel tender, complicated, or even painful. If this is where you find yourself, you’re not doing anything wrong. You might be torn between wanting to celebrate and wanting th

✨  Holiday Date Night Giveaway ✨ Looking for the perfect spot to celebrate the season? Treat yourself and your special someone to an unforgettable night at the historic Brick House—northern New Jersey’s premier steakhouse, where exceptional dining meets timeless charm. Enter now for your chance to WIN a $100 gift certificate to The Brick House and make your holiday date night truly magical! GOOD LUCK! *Contest ends Sunday, December 14, 2025 Visit The Brick House The Brick Ho

This is a healthy and easy to make Banana Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins recipe.

Every parent’s worst nightmare: your child’s screaming, blood is spilling from a deep cut, and your heart races with fear. You scramble for a towel, trying desperately to stop the bleeding, and without thinking twice, you rush to the emergency room, hoping that everything will be okay. But here’s the truth: many parents don’t realize until it’s too late: the ER isn’t always the best place for your child to get stitches, especially for facial or visible cuts. Between the long

Key Takeaway You don’t need to know what kind of therapy you need—our psychologists help you figure that out. We specialize in relationships, intimacy concerns, emotional overwhelm, and addiction-related issues for individuals and couples. Lukin Center offers warm, evidence-based, judgment-free care across multiple NJ locations. Start with a simple conversation, and we’ll match you with the right psychologist for your situation. When You’re Not Sure What Kind of Help You Nee

The holiday season is a favorite time of year for baking! Engage the whole family with healthy cookie fun. These crunchy snaps are hard to keep in the cookie jar because they’re a family favorite at HealthBarn, and they’re sure to be a hit in your house, too. If ginger is not your favorite flavor, go without and enjoy a molasses snap instead. Pack them with low-fat milk or milk alternatives such as soy, rice or almond milks for a yummy school snack—and be prepared to share t

I'd had a bad morning. Things were happening around me and I knew I had to keep my distance. This is really hard when I’m overwhelmed by all the things that can possibly go wrong in the aftermath.  I didn’t call anyone, didn’t stick my nose into the problem between other family members. Instead, I went into distress.   As I’ve heard it said, my mind is a dangerous neighborhood and I should never go there alone. Duly noted.   So I listened to an interview with Melody Beattie,

There are so many wonderful celebrations across Bergen County tonight and throughout this month. Please continue to dine and shop locally during the holidays to help our downtowns thrive during this season. From Christmas tree and Chanukah menorah lightings to holiday parades, we have lots to celebrate this season! Whether you're enjoying the magic of twinkling lights, savoring delicious holiday treats, or participating in festive activities with family and friends, there's s

See Who Made Our List 🤩 — Your Top Picks for 2025! We're thrilled to present our Bergen County Moms 2025 Gift Guide featuring the Best Hostess Gifts— perfectly timed for the upcoming holiday season!​ ​ Shop Small, Shop Local ❤️ As always, we encourage you to shop our main streets to support your favorite local businesses during this festive season. Our downtown shops are the heart of Bergen County — they bring charm, character, and a sense of community to our towns.   Let’s

If you’re looking for effective treatment for anxiety, OCD, or trauma in New Jersey, you’re taking an important step toward recovery. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy represents the gold standard treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders, backed by decades of research demonstrating its effectiveness in helping individuals break free from the cycle of fear and avoidance. At Lukin Center for Psychotherapy , our experienced clinicians across

What we need and what we want for our children with disabilities are often at paradoxical odds with one another. The idea of “independence” comes up a lot, particularly when we’re discussing therapies and schooling, but we do not mean in the absence of human connection . The idea of “productive member of society” comes up when we are defending the worthiness of adults with disabilities who may or may not be able to fully participate in the current job market, but we do not me

Rock bottom and estrangement - the turning point you didn't choose. In addiction circles, you often hear the phrase "rock bottom." It's that lowest possible point where despair takes hold of you, and you feel hopeless and helpless.   For parents facing estrangement, rock bottom may come when you finally realize your child truly won't answer your call... when another birthday passes in silence... or when the holidays bring more dread than joy.   Rock bottom is different for ev

At The Wellness at Ridgewood , our team brings together decades of medical experience, aesthetic artistry, and a shared passion for helping clients feel confident, healthy, and radiant. At The Wellness at Ridgewood , we believe true beauty and wellness start from within. As a clinically run medspa, our approach goes far beyond surface-level treatments — we look at the entire person holistically, helping each client feel healthy, balanced, and confident from the inside out. Ou

There are a zillion varieties of apples—from Granny Smith to Braeburn to Gala. Whether you like them tart or sweet, you’ll love them in this recipe. Choose whatever variety appeals to you to make this treat. We’ve topped each serving with our Crunchy Granola and Walnuts recipe; because the apples are slightly warm after cooking, the result tastes just like an old-fashioned apple crisp – except now it has whole grains, fiber, and no saturated fat. The agave nectar adds extra s

Love Songs for Ukraine on Saturday, November 22nd 📍 Venue: Forte Piano Music Company: 159 W State Rt 4, Paramus Enjoy an evening where music becomes a celebration of love—love for peace, love for humanity, and love for Ukraine. This special concert will feature an extraordinary lineup of artists performing love songs in many forms and languages —from Rock and Jazz to French Chanson and traditional Ukrainian songs. Each performance is a heartfelt reminder that love is stronge

Quick Takeaway Feeling like you’re putting in more effort or care than your partner often signals emotional imbalance, not overreaction. Subtle signs include doing most of the emotional labor — like initiating plans, offering reassurance, or overthinking their distance. Recognizing these patterns early and seeking support, such as couples counseling, can help restore balance and rebuild mutual connection. Do you ever feel like you’re the one keeping the relationship alive — c

No dogs allowed this Thanksgiving? The Madison Dog Resort & Spa are northern New Jersey’s premier 7200 sq ft cage-free boutique dog resort and spa. They are changing the pet care industry and believe in the quality of care over the quantity of dogs to provide exceptional care with lots of love for your four-legged family members. Their state of the art facility lets your dog get loose, play with new friends and most importantly expend excess energy! All guests are separat

We're thrilled to present our Bergen County Moms 2025 Gift Guide featuring the Best Hostess Gifts— perfectly timed for the upcoming holiday season! ​ Every year, we curate a collection of your favorite hostess gift ideas, just in time for the holiday season! ​ We’re passionate about supporting our local Bergen County businesses, so we’d love for you to share your top gift picks from shops in our community. Together, we can spread the word and support our main street. ​ Let’s

GIVE ME, BUY ME, GET ME. Your teen may know how to spend money, but do they really understand how to manage it? Talking about budgeting and saving isn’t enough. Having an open-wallet policy won’t teach them how to save, invest, and wisely spend money. And when they spend and you pay, you end up resentful at their lack of appreciation. Your teen must experience the process to learn the skills. And the skills are more than just creating a budget. In the  November 18th  Group P

This traditional Mediterranean soup is the perfect way to turn up the heat this winter season. High in protein and an excellent source of dietary fiber and iron, a mineral that most children don’t get enough of in their diets, makes it a recipe staple year-round. It’s super easy to make and the “heat” can be adjusted by decreasing the red pepper flakes and black pepper! Ingredients : 4 cups water 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced 1 ½ cups of red lentils, dried 1 tablespoon cumin

Whether your child had stitches after a playground tumble, a kitchen accident, or a sports injury, you’re likely thinking: how can I help my child heal well and what can I do to minimize scarring?  The good news is that a few simple scar care steps at home can go a long way in making sure your child heals smoothly and with the least visible reminder of their injury. “The care you give in the days and weeks after sutures can make a big difference in how your child’s skin heals

Join Our Virtual  Adolescent & Multi-Family DBT Group  Starting  November 13!  Gain skills and support for the whole family, all from the comfort of your own home. What is DBT? Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a structured, skills-based program designed by Dr. Marsha Linehan. It’s a  gold-standard approach  for individuals and families dealing with intense emotions, communication breakdowns, and behavioral cycles. The program  teaches practical, life-changing tools  acro

Which labels were given to you? Which ones have been given to your child? · ADHD · the shy one · the over-achiever · OCD · the trouble-maker · the smart one There’s nothing inherently wrong with a label (which is really shorthand for a group of symptoms or behaviors). It’s how we let it define and limit us. None of these labels and diagnoses means that we can’t live a satisfying and joyful life… unless we accept the predictions that go with t

NOW through SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH 169 Fairmount Rd., Ridgewood, NJ *Donations can be placed in the collection bin in the foyer — thank you for helping us make a difference! As the season of giving approaches, it’s important to remember that many of our neighbors are struggling to put food on the table. Families who were once secure are now facing difficult choices — between paying bills and buying groceries, between warmth and nourishment. Your donation, no matter how small

This immune-boosting soup is the best natural “medicine” for staying strong during flu season because it’s loaded with the antioxidant vitamins A and C! We have been told that a bowl of this soup looks like we went down to the garden, picked a lot of vegetables and threw them all in a pot. That’s pretty close to how we actually make it! We also use skinless chicken breasts, low in fat and high in protein, but made flavorful and succulent by the variety of veggies that give th