BERGEN COUNTY MOMS

Not sure why your teen has been so irritable, spaced out, or reclusive since school started? Managing teen back to school stress requires understanding how dramatic environmental changes impact an adolescent’s nervous system and learning targeted self-regulation strategies to support them. This is crucial in addressing the unique challenges associated with teen back to school stress. Back to school can be an exciting yet stressful time for parents and teens alike. The transit

Six children sit smiling on a stone wall in a sunny school courtyard, with red chairs, gardens, and buildings behind.

Welcome Back to School! D-E students started the new 2026-2027 school year with an eagerness that was palpable! Head of School Dr. James Calleroz White shared welcoming messages and his sentiments regarding his own excitement for this time of year with our community, noting, "Having students back always fills me with joy. Walking the halls and reconnecting with students, faculty, and staff across campus was wonderful. Hearing about their summers, and more importantly, their h

A friend told me about a family gathering where her three-year-old grandson seemed completely out of control. He ran from room to room, climbed on furniture, interrupted conversations, and ignored requests to stop. NOTE: Asking a toddler to stop is the definition of insanity. The neural programming hasn’t been installed yet. Everyone had an opinion. "He just has lots of energy." "He'll grow out of it." "Someone needs to control this child.” Finally, his grandfather quietly wa

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 her life, she will learn about herself, find her voice, and discern her unique interests and goals. This is why it is so important to choose a school that nourishes both her mind and her spirit. Immaculate Heart Academy, in the Township of Washington, New Jersey, is that place, designing its programs to meet the intellectual, spiritual, mor

“Am I the only one who feels like giving up? I have a 13-year old daughter, and I’m one step away from being DONE. According to her, everything is my fault, and I can’t do anything right. She’s rude, uncooperative, and we can’t have a polite conversation about anything. “So many comments here say it’s a phase, normal teenage stuff, and they get through it by 17 or 18. If that’s the case, then I don’t know if I can make it through four more years. At the moment, even a week fe

Selective universities receive tens of thousands of applications from students with perfect GPAs and test scores every year. Bergen County students have a lot going for them: strong schools with plenty of AP offerings, committed teachers, and involved families. But that’s also the problem. What separates your student with straight A’s and ten AP courses from the next? What differentiates your child when everyone in their graduating class has a 1500 or better on the SAT? Have

Your son or daughter is playing a college sport and suddenly comes home with news: “Someone wants to pay me $5,000 to post something on Instagram.” Amazing. But now what? Is the money taxable? Can they spend it? Does it affect financial aid? Who reads the contract? And what exactly is NIL anyway? If you’re confused, you’re not alone. Parents are already investing heavily in their children’s athletic careers. According to New York Life’s Wealth Watch survey, families spend an

Most of us were taught that good parenting means responding quickly. Correct it now. Address it immediately. Say something before it gets worse. But with teens, that urgency often works against us and them. The most underused parenting skill isn’t the perfect phrase or consequence. It's the pause. A pause gives your nervous system time to settle and reset. It gives your brain time to catch up with your values. It keeps you from saying the thing you’ll later wish you could tak

Saddle River Day School celebrated a transformative moment in its history on August 27th with the ribbon cutting of the new Dr. Kristen Walsh Hall of Science and Entrepreneurship—a state-of-the-art facility designed to inspire students to think boldly, pursue their passions, and turn ideas into action. More than 150 esteemed guests—including Saddle River Mayor Albert J. Kurpis and other state and town officials, members of the SRDS Board of Trustees, parents, administrators,

If the thought of morning routine battles and back-to-school meltdowns is keeping you up at night, you’re not alone. Navigating the neurodivergent back-to-school transition can feel especially overwhelming. As summer comes to an end, preparing for the neurodivergent back-to-school transition can bring a mix of excitement, anticipation, and stress for both children and parents. Neurodivergent is a term used to describe individuals whose brains process, learn, communicate, or e

I need to! I have to! It doesn't inspire enthusiasm, does it? A goal is connected to an emotion. It’s great when the emotion is excitement; your brain will naturally want to get it done. But... 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 𝐲�

If your child is struggling with back-to-school stress, anxiety, or feeling overwhelmed, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Lukin Center for Psychotherapy is here to help. Our compassionate clinicians provide support for children, teens, and families. Call us at (201) 409-0393 or visit lukincenter.com to learn more or get started. Until then, let’s dive in. Here are 10 simple ways parents can help. 1. Prioritize Sleep Children ages 6–12 generally need 9–12 hours of sleep,

It matters. If you didn’t raise your voice today… If you paused before you spoke… If you softened your tone after starting sharp… Consider it a win. It counts. These are invisible wins. The ones only you are consciously aware of. They are also the ones that change the course of your relationship. Notice them. They matter. P.S. That sounded a lot more encouraging than "watch your tone," didn't it? There's more gentle guidance and entertaining stories in "Leashes, Lessons, and

Fall mental health can be influenced by much more than changing weather. As summer shifts into fall and autumn routines take shape, many families also face a return to school schedules, earlier mornings, homework, extracurricular activities, sports, social demands, work routines, and tighter household schedules. That shift back into structure can take time to adjust to, especially after the flexibility of summer. Children and teens may suddenly be managing more expectations,

I’ve been known to take on more than I should in all kinds of relationships, but none more intensely than motherhood. Let’s look at all this ‘taking on” as what’s in our backpack. The first backpack is the diaper bag. It carries the necessities to anticipate all your baby’s needs. As they grow, your child’s needs change from the absolutely necessary to the things they can increasingly do for themselves. Your role and titles change — and therefore your responsibilities. Your

As college admissions become increasingly competitive, students need more than impressive grades and standardized test scores to stand out. Colleges are looking for applicants who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, leadership, and a genuine commitment to pursuing their passions. At Saddle River Day School in Saddle River, New Jersey, students have an opportunity to do just that through the school's innovative Gateway Honors Diplomas Program—a distinctive academic pathway tha

Most difficult conversations follow a predictable pattern: Someone says something that feels (is interpreted as) critical. The other person reacts. (This is emotional, not thoughtful). Both voices rise. And suddenly both people are defending themselves instead of listening. When conversations reach that point, most parents try harder to defend their position. But explaining rarely helps. In fact, it escalates the conflict. What helps is slowing the pace of the conversation:

Do you ever see yourself as a failure? If we must use this word, let's give it new meaning. What about a "learning experience" or an "opportunity to grow?" You're not a failure. Things just didn't turn out the way you planned. Whether it's outside events or inner turmoil and attitudes, making mistakes is part of growing and growing up. Our kids could really benefit from a change in language and attitude from us. The word 'failure' has such negative, critical energy attached t

FREE Webinar for New & Expecting Parents on July 30 Welcoming a baby brings immense joy, but it also brings a wave of challenges that catch many moms completely off guard. If you’re quietly navigating postpartum anxiety, feeling overwhelmed by mental health struggles, or dealing with the frustrating reality of pelvic floor issues that no one really warned you about, we see you, and you are not alone. To give you the real, compassionate support you deserve, the Lukin Center fo