BERGEN COUNTY MOMS

Many women are surprised to learn that mental health and pelvic floor health are closely connected, especially during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Anxiety, stress, and birth-related trauma can affect the body in ways that extend beyond emotional well-being, often contributing to physical symptoms that impact daily life. In these visuals, the Lukin Center explores the often-overlooked connection between pelvic floor health and mental well-being during pregnancy and pos

The instinct to correct. Sit with that for a while. When children make mistakes, the instinct to correct just appears. It is, after all, an instinct. It comes unbidden, without thought. To quote Star Trek, it comes from the brain’s “prime directive” — to protect and ensure survival. This leads to an often-uncontrollable need parents have: to teach to guide to prevent mistakes to help their child do better next time But there’s a small – and quite significant – step that of

You didn’t choose to go no-contact — but the effects can linger deeply. And if you’re here, you may be carrying confusion, grief, or unanswered questions about your relationship with your child. For many parents, it’s their child who chose distance. And while every story is different, one thing is shared: this experience can feel incredibly isolating. You don’t have to go through it alone. We invite you into a gentle, safe, and educational space where you can be supported wit

Imagine being seen by a doctor in just 7 minutes. When something is wrong with your child or a loved one, those minutes can feel like forever. And in that moment, everything comes down to one urgent question: Where do we go right now? It might be a child struggling to breathe, a sudden fall, a parent with chest pain, or a moment in the middle of the night when something just doesn’t feel right. As moms, we’re used to managing everything—but in these moments, nothing feels in

One of the questions parents of middle school students ask most frequently when they consider moving their children to Saddle River Day School is, “When is the optimal time to apply for admission?” Many families believe that their middle schoolers should maybe just wait and apply for admission to the Upper School in the 9th grade. Although 9th grade is the traditional time for students to make that transition, there are a number of reasons why a transfer to Saddle River Day S

Henry is 8 and enjoys all things Minecraft, Animal Crossing, and Super Mario. When he grows up, Henry wants to be an entrepreneur. It was April of 2017 when I first heard the term “limb difference.” Sure, I’d seen people in movies or occasionally on a family trip with prosthetic limbs, but I never considered what their life experiences might have looked like–to me, they always seemed confident and natural. Actually, the first amputee I ever saw was “the one-armed man” as they

A student-athlete’s mental health depends on three interconnected factors: their developmental stage, the emotional environment parents create, and how well the adults in their life respond when things get hard. Understanding all three can make the difference between a young athlete who thrives and one who quietly struggles. Key Takeaways Development drives what your child needs: Kids ages 7–11 need adults who reinforce effort and build self-esteem; teens ages 12–18 need spa

In most elementary schools, the science curriculum is limited to instruction and experiments that can be performed in the students’ primary classroom. The Lower School at Saddle River Day School is not like most elementary schools. One of the great features of the Lower School at Saddle River Day School is a dedicated science classroom and lab, one in which the science teachers have the space and the freedom to devise instructional units and experiments that include scien

OMG, how often have I put others above myself? Let their expectations be my guide? I believe we all struggle with this. You don’t have to jump when others say 'jump'. Yes, you have responsibilities on the job. That's what you're being paid for. But in your family... Are you giving in to your children more than you'd like? More than is good for them or for you? If you have helped create the expectations they have of you, then your responsibility is to alter how you respond. Th

If you’re a parent in Bergen County, your calendar probably feels like a competitive sport. Between school drop-offs, sports practices, work meetings, errands, and remembering which form needs to be signed for which child, the days fill up fast. Somewhere in the middle of all that, you’re also supposed to find time to take care of your own health—like scheduling doctor’s appointments you’ve probably been putting off. That’s why we created One Bergen Health . Healthcare That

"Wherever you go, there you are" is the title of a book by meditation and mindfulness guru Jon Kabat-Zinn. It means that no matter what the circumstances or the environment, you are who you are. You can't leave yourself or your way of seeing life behind. It's spring break, a time for vacations and special activities. (This applies to the holiday season, and any other special occasion, too.) You'd think that when you're away everyone will be on their best behavior and appre

I didn’t want a child with Down syndrome. I needed a child with Down syndrome. And now that I have a child with Down syndrome, there will never again be a day without light or edges of my heart not brimming with love. The mom I thought I’d be was one who took my daughter to get our nails done on a regular basis. I thought I’d be sitting in packed auditoriums for her dance recitals and helping her do things I couldn’t, like ice skate or learn a second language. I saw all of

There’s this little thing called the ego. Not so little, really. The ego says, “I’m important. Pay attention to me. I know more than you. I am right. I must be right—or else who am I?” The problem with needing to be right is that it automatically means someone else has to be wrong. And in parent-child relationships, that often means your teen. Remember, there can’t be two winners when one has to come out on top. You know what that feels like in any close relationship—rejecti

What is it that makes Saddle River Day School such a unique and special place? Some would say it’s the academic rigor, the engaged, curious students, the dedicated faculty, or the tight-knit community. They would all be correct. But what sets Saddle River Day School apart, our real differentiating factor, is that we have created a curriculum and an environment in which students have the confidence, agency, and tools to take risks, to identify a problem that needs to be solve

I n this new year, I want to offer a simple, grounding reminder: Nobody is coming to save you. I know—that can sound harsh. Especially if life has been unfair, painful, or deeply disappointing. In an ideal world, the people who hurt us would make things right. In the real world, that often doesn’t happen. And waiting for it can keep us stuck. Here’s the part that matters most: What others do or don’t do is beyond your control. Your healing is not. Two thousand years ago, the

Children don’t always have the words to express grief—but it often reveals itself through their behavior, thoughts, emotions, and bodies. Recognizing these signs is the first step toward offering meaningful support, understanding, and care. The Lukin Center has partnered with Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss , to help support children and families navigating grief. Together, they aim to bring awareness to the many ways loss can impact young people and to ensure familie

“Individualized instruction” is more than a phrase at Saddle River Day School —it’s a promise brought to life through meaningful, personalized academic pathways. One of the most distinctive ways SRDS fulfills this commitment is by offering students the opportunity to begin Upper School and even college-level coursework while still in Middle School. Students who demonstrate exceptional aptitude in a subject are identified by their teachers and, through a combination of placeme

Living with a teen can be utterly draining. It reminds me of parenting a toddler. You might want to trade them in, but there are no returns, no refunds, no exchanges, all sales are final. What’s a parent to do? Have you noticed the similarities between toddlers and teens? I remember my son as a toddler. He had too much energy, and didn’t like the word ‘no’. His words weren’t always clear , which increased frustration for both us. When he wanted something, he kept going and

Many parents find themselves exhausted trying to navigate the school system while advocating for their child’s needs. When something doesn’t feel right—academically, emotionally, or behaviorally—the process of getting answers can quickly become overwhelming. School jargon, meetings, timelines, evaluations, and questions about eligibility often leave families feeling confused, intimidated, and alone. Dr. Dinah Braude Kremberg is a licensed psychologist at Lukin Center for Psyc

When I was a middle school teacher, “The 6 Pillars of Character” program was launched in schools across the country. There were wall hangings in the lunchroom, poster and creative writing contests, and a few “character ed’ activities sprinkled through the year. The truth is that even with the best of intentions, this was a feel-good, surface-level program. Without daily focus on character at home and school, it wasn’t going to make much of a difference. I admit I’m a bit of s