BERGEN COUNTY MOMS

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

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

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

Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids! Below are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to help ensure they have a safe Halloween holiday while trick-or-treating. Safety Tips: A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds. Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts. If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a

Standing up for yourself doesn’t mean putting others down. Let’s talk about realistic, effective boundaries. Parents are notorious for struggling with boundaries. I was (and still am, sometimes) one of them. We’ve been conditioned—especially moms—to believe we should always be available, putting everyone else’s needs first. The “good mother” ignores her needs, loses her identity, and has trouble saying no. That’s not healthy for anyone. A boundary is not about cutting off con

“What does it cost to invite, to welcome, to come to know someone, to accept them, to befriend, to need, to love?” -Erik Carter, Ph.D. When life becomes optional, we learn to debate the pros and cons of sustaining it. We live in a capitalist society, with dwindling social services that currently coincide with increasing costs of living, so it’s no wonder that money becomes a major consideration when a family is discussing whether or not they can “afford” a baby with Down synd

Would you like to be their safe place? It takes a great deal of trust, as teens are wary of sharing with parents. These are confusing years for them with a lot of conflicting feelings, wants and needs. Let me do it myself!   I still need help. Don't tell me what to do!   I'm scared I'll mess up. You don't know anything!   Neither do I... I want to fit in.   I also want my own identity. Parents are confused, too. ️ They used to tell you everything, and now

Becoming a mother brings profound joy alongside unexpected challenges. While many people expect pregnancy and the postpartum period to be filled with happiness, the reality often includes complex emotions, physical changes, and mental health struggles that catch new mothers off guard. At the Lukin Center for Psychotherapy , we understand that maternal mental health deserves the same attention and care as physical health during this transformative time. Our specialized materna

As a college preparatory school whose students expect to attend the most selective colleges and universities, it is critical that Saddle River Day School gives its students the knowledge and expertise that will prepare them to successfully research, write, and present academic papers in the Upper School, the SRDS Gateway Diploma program , and beyond.    Because we believe that practice makes progress, the process of teaching our students these critical skills begins in the M

Almost every parent goes through a bumpy time with their child. When you're going through a rough patch, do you find yourself expecting the worst from your kids? Are you waiting for the other shoe to drop? Do you lower your expectations for them? The problem is that lowering the bar leads to lower self-esteem. It 's so easy to fall into the trap of negativity and disappointment. I've been there and it's not pretty at all. During his teen years, our son made some poor decision

Choosing the right high school for your daughter is one of the most important decisions you will make for her future. During this time in...

There was a time when I coached just about anyone. I was new to parent coaching and wanted to spread my wings and help everyone. This...

If you’re a mom, chances are you’ve had at least one moment when a normal day turned into an emergency: a slip on the playground, a...

Fall in Bergen County is all about crisp air, colorful leaves, pumpkin patches, and of course, Halloween. This year, Anticimex and its...

In September, Lukin Center for Psychotherapy became the official mental health and sport performance provider for the Super Football Conference (SFC) — the largest high school football conference in the country, with over 112 schools. Lukin Center provides athletes, coaches, athletic directors, and parents with expert-level support to enhance mental health and performance on and off the field. Programs & Services: From Sport Performance Training to Dialectical Behavior Therap

We gathered for the first Parent Estrangement Support Group last week. It was a small and powerful group with vastly different stories....

Do you want to help your athlete perform at their best, no matter the game or stage? Peak performance isn’t just about physical...