MAY 2022 | NJFAMILY.COM
MEET THE MOM BEHIND
KIKA STRETCH STUDIOS Embrace the
BABY DAYS •F IND A PEDIATRICIAN •G ET MORE SLEEP •D ESIGN A DREAMY NURSERY
GET TO KNOW NJ’S WOMENOWNED BUSINESSES
TURN THE PAGE TO SEE OUR MOMPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
LAST CHANCE TO Your recommendations matter. Let other parents know about the amazing healthcare professionals you love and trust!
Nominate your favorite docs at njfamily.com/vote LAURY CUDDIHY, MD
Orthopedic Spine Surgeon Lawrenceville Dr. Cuddihy is the most competent and most compassionate doctor we have had the pleasure of working with. We love her so much and the motion sparing surgery that my daughter was able to receive. New Jersey is truly lucky to have Dr. Cuddihy. —D.A., WAKE FOREST
ELISA VELAZQUEZ, DMD
Pediatric Dentist | Cream Ridge, Manahawkin, Toms River Dr. Velazquez has been amazing with my daughter who has special needs. She becomes extremely anxious and upset with anyone touching her, let alone examining her. Dr. Velazquez has patience, compassion and the right strategies to help my daughter to better health. We can’t thank her enough. —C.M., TOMS RIVER
SEAN FLYNN, MD Pediatrician | Bloomfield He is the perfect example of someone who works with his heart. As a mother of a child with a rare condition, I wouldn’t be able to get through it without his help. He connected with her specialists and the school nurse for her to be safe at school. He is very compassionate, knowledgeable and caring. Dr. Flynn really impacted our lives. —D.M., NEWARK
Go to njfamily.com/thelist to see our list of parent-recommended medical professionals.
Congratulations to Our 2022 Mompreneur of the Year:
AVANI MODI SARKAR Co-Founder, Modi Toys
Read Avani’s story on page 18 and see our eight finalists on page 21.
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NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
Contents Healthy + Happy
9 MEAL PLANNING
Smart hacks to make dinnertime a snap
Feature
21
Feature
MOMPRENEUR 18 OUR OF THE YEAR
Discover the inspiration behind Modi Toys
MEET MORE MOMPRENEURS Our eight finalists share their stories
Special Advertising Section
25
Raising Smarties
12 BUDDING BOOKWORMS
WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES Get to know the inspiring women behind these innovative companies
Feature
Tips to inspire a love of reading in your kids
MAKEOVER MAGIC Design pros share their best home reno ideas
DARREN TALENT
43
May Planner
64
Cover Story
TO 15 STRETCHING NEW HEIGHTS
Advice from the mom who founded Kika Stretch
SPRING FOR FUN From outdoor festivals to a Star Wars concert, there’s lots to do with your crew
Special Section
48
SMART GESTURES How pointing can help communication later
54 57
WE LOVE 51 STUFF All your baby needs for
THE DOCTOR IS IN What to look for when choosing a pediatrician
TIGHT 62 SLEEP Tips to help your baby sleep for longer stretches
BRIGHT SMILE When to take your little one to the dentist
ON 59 DREAM These nurseries are both stylish and timeless
a good night’s rest MAY 2022 | NEW JERSEY FAMILY
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Editor’s Letter
Meet NJ’s Mom Bosse s
MAY 2022 | NJFAMILY.COM VOLUME 32, ISSUE 3
Avani Modi Sa rkar (left) and Kika Wis e (right) are sharing their business journeys with us.
FOUNDER | CINDY MIRONOVICH EDITORIAL DIRECTOR | DINA EL NABLI EDITOR@NJFAMILY.COM ART DIRECTOR | LEEZA HERNANDEZ MANAGING EDITOR | ANGEL MADISON SENIOR EDITOR RONNIE KOENIG CONTRIBUTORS HEIDI BORST NAYDA RONDON ARRICCA ELIN SANSONE
PRODUCTION DESIGNER ROSA M. JOSEPH PRODUCTION/BUSINESS MANAGER ERICA BARTON PROJECT & CIRCULATION MANAGER DIANE ERDENBERGER
DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING MARCY HOLETON ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES ANN CUSACK CATHY GROTE DEBBIE LUBRANSKI BARBARA NASTRO PAMELA PETERSON ERIN SALMAN ANDREA THORNE
Moms Who Inspire
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The acceptance of advertising by New Jersey Family does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services, or information being advertised. We do not knowingly present any products or services that are fraudulent or misleading in nature. Editorial inquiries, calendar information, ad vertising rates and schedules, and subscrip tion requests may be addressed to Kids Monthly Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 669, New Providence, NJ 07974-0669. New Jersey Family can be reached by calling 908-9751800, emailing editor@njfamily.com, or by visiting our website, njfamily.com. New Jersey Family is a woman-owned business and has been recognized for editorial and design excellence by the Parenting Media Association.
AVANI MODI SARKAR / DARREN TALENT
A dancer since age 13, Montclair mom Kika Wise knows how to stretch for maximum flexibility. When she came up with the idea to offer assisted stretching sessions, she never imagined Kika Stretch Studios would one day be franchised across the country. Skillman mom Avani Modi Sarkar wanted her kids to feel a strong connection to their Indian heritage. So, together with her brother, she created plush toys that spark a conversation about Hinduism. Now their company, Modi Toys, is gaining national attention for diversifying the toy industry. Wise, our cover mompreneur, and Modi Sarkar, our 2022 New Jersey Family Mompreneur of the Year contest winner, are shining examples of businesses that thrive on the passion, creativity and persistence of their founders. We’re thrilled so many mompreneurs entered our contest this year, so in addition to showcasing our winner Avani, we’re also highlighting eight finalists in this issue. We’re so grateful to Kathleen Butler Smith, founder of Morphmom and a Summit mom (learn more about her on page 29), who had the tough job of choosing this year’s winner and finalists among the many stellar entries. This issue honors them and more of New Jersey’s most innovative women-owned businesses (get to know them on page 25). Whether you’re juggling work life with a newborn or acclimating to being a stay-at-home mom, you’ll find help in our special section that covers everything from getting more sleep to designing a dream nursery that’ll endure beyond the baby years. If you’re looking for decor inspiration elsewhere in your home, head to page 43 for some amazing makeovers. We hope you love them as much as we do!
New Jersey Family is published by Kids Monthly Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 669, New Providence, NJ 07974-0669. Send address changes to us here. Reproduction of New Jersey Family in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. All rights reserved. Copyright 2022 by Kids Monthly Publications, Inc. Circulation audit by CVC, Circulation Verification Council.
/NEWJERSEYFAMILY @NJFAMILYMAG @NEWJERSEYFAMILY
NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
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NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
Raising Smarties
Dinner Done Better Five meal planning hacks for busy parents
©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM / XAVIERARNAU
By Heidi Borst
F
or those of us already juggling the responsibilities of raising kids with busy work schedules and endless household demands, meal planning gets exhausting. But winging dinner every night can be stressful too, and defaulting to takeout can get expensive. Fortunately, meal prepping doesn’t have to be time-consuming, and planning dinners and lunches in advance can save you hours every week. That’s time you can allocate to connecting with your kids (or treating yourself to some much-needed self-care).
MAY 2022 | NEW JERSEY FAMILY
Whether you’re new to the process or a seasoned pro, these five tips from moms and nutrition experts are sure to level up your prep game.
USE THOSE GADGETS Trust us: It’s time to unbox that Instant Pot you were gifted for Christmas. Kitchen gadgets like air fryers, Crockpots and pressure cookers are a great way to save time in the kitchen, says Jeanette Kimszal, a Neptune City-based registered dietician and food blogger. “You can use
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Raising Smarties
PREP YOUR MEALS IN BATCHES Even if you don’t plan every meal, batching large portions of proteins, veggies, whole grains and beans in advance will save you time, says Kimszal. A batch of chicken can be diced up and put it in a salad or shredded for quesadillas. “You can batch-cook vegetables and add them to salads, or just reheat and eat,” she says. “Beans can be made into a high-protein salsa, bean salad or mashed dip.” Try bulk cooking a whole chicken, ground meat, beans and rice or a frittata, suggests Maplewood mom Helen Birney, an integrative nutrition and mindset coach at Cultivate Health Coaching. Birney roasts a pan of veggies every night no matter what. “On average, we will do three to four reusable meals [using] bulk ingredients for tacos, bowls or soup, two newly cooked meals and one takeout order per week,” Birney says.
MAKE ONE-POT MEALS If you don’t have time to batch cook each week, one-pot meals are a quick way to get the family fed. Sauté a protein (ground chicken, turkey, beans) in a pan with two or three vegetables (kale, spinach, cauliflower rice), then add some spices (garlic, parsley, dill), suggests Kimszal. “Start with an onion and little bit of a medium-heat cooking oil—I like using olive oil,” she says. “Cook the protein, then add the vegetables and let it sauté until it’s soft. Then, mix it with the protein-veggie combo.”
MIX AND MATCH Tara Roscioli, a South Orange mom and certified holistic health coach at Highway 2 Well, recommends the following tips to her clients: Spend an hour every Sunday grilling your proteins, cooking a few
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grains and roasting vegetables to mix and match all week. I f you like smoothies, prep your ingredients in advance. “Line up little baggies or containers and prep your smoothies with various fruits, seeds, nut butters or protein powders. Then, you just have to add a milk of your choice to the blender for quick prep,” says Roscioli. F ill large muffin tins with soup or sauces to freeze for nights when you’re busy or everyone is eating something different. A rotisserie chicken can be your best friend, says Roscioli. “Remove the skin and add it to vegetables, sandwiches or tacos.”
FOLLOW A FORMULA FOR LUNCHES When packing lunches, follow this basic formula for a balanced, versatile meal: protein + carbohydrate + fruit/vegetable + something fun, says Kelsey Sackmann, a Butler-based registered dietitian and owner of Kelsey P. RD. “Create a list from each food group that you know your kids will eat and cycle through them to maintain variety and free up decision-making time.” Here’s what that formula might look like: PROTEIN: Hard-boiled eggs, hummus, turkey, chicken, pepperoni, salami, yogurt, nuts, almond butter or beans CARB: Sweet potatoes, rice, pasta, granola, pretzels, crackers, bagels, bread, tortillas, waffles or pancakes FRUIT: Applesauce, berries, watermelon, mandarin oranges/ clementines, pineapple, mango, raisins or apples VEGGIES: Carrots (carrot chips, carrot sticks, baby carrots), bell peppers, snow or snap peas, cucumber, celery sticks or cauliflower FUN: Energy bites, fruit leather, cookies, trail mix or chocolate Whether you’re preparing dinner or lunch, include your kids in the process. Doing so helps get them excited about meals, says Sackmann. Younger kids can put items in their lunch boxes and kids of all ages can help out in the kitchen or with shopping. This way, meal planning becomes a time for family togetherness, too. —Heidi L. Borst is a mother, writer and nutrition coach based in Wilmington, NC.
©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM / LITHIUMCLOUDA
these gadgets to set it and forget it, or cook a meal in no time at all.” Maplewood mom Joy Yagid’s go-to Instant Pot meal requires only two ingredients: frozen chicken breasts and a jar of salsa. “Cook it on high pressure for eight minutes, then shred it to serve over rice, noodles or for tacos,” she says. (Just make sure the chicken isn’t frozen in a thick block when you start.)
NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
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NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
Raising Smarties
How to Raise a
READER Try these tips for encouraging your kids to choose books over electronics
F
ostering a habit of reading is one of the most important gifts a parent can give a child. Mastery of reading is not only an essential component of learning but it also translates to greater success during a child’s education and throughout their life. Parents can promote reading long before their kids start school. When you read to your baby or sing the alphabet with your toddler, you’re laying the foundation for literacy. According to research, children learn to be readers both by listening and talking, and the more exposure they get to language, the better. Reading aloud to our children helps them recognize sounds and connect spoken words to written language. By third grade, kids are able to read quickly and accurately on their own, but that doesn’t mean that they’ll naturally gravitate toward reading. In an increasingly digital world, it can be daunting to get kids to choose books over electronics. But don’t fret: It is possible. Read on for expert tips for cultivating a lifelong love of reading in your kiddos.
BE A READER YOURSELF If you want your kids to be readers, make sure they see you reading regularly. Modeling reading is the first step to encourage the habit in our kids, says Kathryn Starke, a national literacy specialist and author of Tackle Reading and A Touchdown in Reading. When children see their parents reading books, magazines or the newspaper, it shows them reading is an important part of a daily routine, says Starke. Share the enjoyment you get from reading. When your children observe that joy, they’ll feel motivated to share in it, says Lauren Mactas, head of early learning at The Elisabeth Morrow School in Englewood. “In the same way that families who love to cook tend to inspire children who love to cook, families who love to read typically inspire children who love to read.”
©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM / FLY VIEW PRODUCTIONS
MAKE READING FUN If we treat reading as an obligation, our kids are less likely to want to do it. Instead, we should make reading an enjoyable hobby, says Starke. We can do this by taking our children on a trip to the bookstore or library to pick out a new book, or by allowing them to choose reading material to enjoy one-onone with a parent, she says. Options are important, too. “Choice is a powerful motivator,” says Starke. “Children learn to become successful independent readers when a book matches their interest and developmental reading level.” Mactas encourages parents to offer books that expose children to cultures and races different than their own. “Books are an amazing tool for broadening an understanding of the world around us,” she says. Vary the type of reading material, which comes in many forms. Books, catalogs, magazines, newspapers, photo albums, flyers, posters, cookbooks and even street signs offer opportunities for reading, Mactas says.
MAY 2022 | NEW JERSEY FAMILY
By Heidi Borst
If your child wants to read a comic book, let them, but opt for paper reading material over digital. “Especially in the early years, paper books offer critical benefits to children,” says Mactas. “The physical act of holding a book, turning pages, understanding orientation and experiencing the weight and size of a book promote fine and gross motor development and a physical connection to literacy concepts, such as beginning, middle [and] end and front and back.”
CREATE A SPECIAL SPACE Create an inviting reading area that your kids will gravitate towards at home. It can be as simple as a couple of bean bag chairs and a table with plenty of reading material. “Cozy areas are wonderful for reading, especially when they are quiet and offer natural light,” says Mactas. Mactas suggests creating a “book repair station” with different types of tape to mend torn pages and labels or stamps that say “this book belongs to” in order to encourage ownership. “Having a ‘book-making station’ with folded papers, a stapler and writing materials is also enriching and engaging,” she says. “When children have a broad range of experiences with books and book making, their investment in reading deepens.” For extra fun, try acting out a story that your child is reading aloud. Seeing you engaged and joyful will help make reading a life skill that your children love, says Starke. Parents can promote further reading by spreading newspapers and magazines on coffee tables, adding bookshelves to children’s bedrooms or common areas and displaying the book they’re currently reading on their bedside tables, says Starke.
START A REGULAR RITUAL Children thrive on routine, and that applies to reading, too. Routines are very important in helping young children feel grounded, safe, organized and regulated, says Mactas. And a regular bedtime reading routine provides a natural transition to the most peaceful part of a child’s day. “It encourages a calm body, slower breathing and an opportunity to drift to sleep while hearing the comforting voices of loved ones,” Mactas says. If you’re worried about finding time, reading doesn’t require a huge commitment. Scheduling just 20 minutes of reading time daily increases a child’s success in phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension, says Starke. “Whether a parent is reading to a child or a child is reading to a parent, these skills increase quickly with a daily reading routine,” she says. No matter what time of day you carve out for reading, having quiet, device-free times encourages togetherness and promotes a love of reading. Here’s to raising avid readers!
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NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
Cover Story
STRETCHING to New Heights
DARREN TALENT
W
With business savvy and a supportive parenting style, Newark native and Montclair mom Kika Wise embodies the mompreneur spirit
hen she started offering assisted stretching sessions in 2011, former pro dancer Kika Wise could not have imagined she’d go on to franchise her business. There are now 14 Kika Stretch Studios throughout the country, including NJ locations in Montclair, Westfield, Summit and Millburn-Short Hills. The mom of three became the youngest female franchiser in the nation when she opened her first studio in Montclair, and she was even featured in The New York Times. Now, Wise is inspiring women in the wellness realm to follow their dreams and pursue franchising. She spoke with New Jersey
MAY 2022 | NEW JERSEY FAMILY
By Ronnie Koenig
Family about starting her business, juggling mom duties and her favorite places to frequent in the Garden State. New Jersey Family: How did the idea for Kika Stretch Studios come about? Kika Wise: I started in 2011 when I was pregnant with my son, who’s now about to be 13. He was 6 months old and I was a single mother at the time, so I wanted to establish something where I could be a part of his life. I took a poll among my friends and family asking: ‘Should I start a business or go back to school?’ I stretched people on the side in a small gym and they said I should do that stretching thing I was doing.
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: KIKA AND HER HUSBAND JAMAR WISE; KIKA WITH DAUGHTERS SCARLETT AND SAMARA; A KIKA STRETCH STUDIO EMPLOYEE DOES A BACK STRETCH; A CLIENT GETS HIS LEG STRETCHED; SAGE DUBOSE, SAMARA WISE, JAMAR WISE AND KIKA ARE ALL SMILES.
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NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
Cover Story
“ ...take a chance and do what really makes you happy.” NJF: Did you know anything about business when you started? KW: For the first year, all I did was study. I read every single business book (Guerilla Marketing, How to Start a Business)…and then I actually launched it. When I would stretch my clients, they would ask me, ‘Did you go to Yale? Did you go to Harvard?’ I was like, ‘No, I went to Montclair State.’ So yes, you can actually read your way there. I knew Montclair was a town that would be open to something new. I had $500, so I rented a studio space. I started by handing out brochures on the corner and leaving them at the YMCA and people started to call. The first time someone bought a package, I couldn’t believe it. NJF: How did your stretching technique come about? KW: I started dancing at 13 and eventually got into Montclair State. I was able to get myself to be as flexible as possible. Dancers use gravity to push themselves further, but the average person has no idea how to do that. I replaced gravity with what you would do as a dancer, but with someone’s hands. NJF: How do people react after trying it for the first time? KW: We always offer a free session at first—the small, shortened version. When they come in and try it, they’re shocked. They’re like, ‘This is what I’ve been looking for my whole life.’ NJF: Who is assisted stretching for? KW: Our youngest client is a 7-year-old and our oldest client is 98. We have child athletes who want to avoid injury. Then we have busy young professionals who are stuck behind a desk and feel their bodies breaking down.
FAMILY PHOTOS COURTESY OF KIKA WISE / KIKA STRETCH STUDIOS PHOTOS BY DARREN TALENT
NJF: What is the Kika Stretch Age? KW: We have a system where we measure your flexibility before you start and then we compare it to after. It tells you how much tension you’ve lost within a session. We needed something to show real results, so that’s why we developed that modality. NJF: How do you juggle your business with having three kids? KW: On the weekends, I’ll ignore text messages. It’s changed my life, because now I’m present for my children. I just try to be as present as possible when I’m not working. NJF: What is your connection to New Jersey? KW: I’m from Newark. I started my first studio in New Jersey. Then once I mastered the model, I expanded to different states. Montclair was the first; I’m closest to it and I own it. The other New Jersey locations I franchised, so they’re owned by franchisees.
Tips for Starting Your Own Business
Kika Wise didn’t have money for a yoga or Pilates certification when she was looking to start a business, so she used what she already knew about stretching as a dancer to pull it off. Now, she tells us how to go after our dreams. Read Up Wise says she read books on how to start a business. Why not make the local library or bookstore the first stop on your business journey? Ask friends for reading referrals, too. Use Word of Mouth Without a big advertising budget, Wise printed brochures and handed them out, then relied on customers to spread the news about their experiences at her studio. Get Them in the Door Wise offers a free, 30-minute stretch session to newbies. The thought is, they’ll try it, like it and buy a package. It works! Embrace the Challenges Being a working mom is difficult, and Wise says it’s best to know what you’re taking on. Remember to give yourself grace when some things fall to the wayside. Set Boundaries “Sometimes my son will be like, ‘Are you still working?’” says Wise. “I’m like, ‘Yes, but now I’m going to stop.’ I just hope that they see that I’m showing a balance and it’s not just work.” Franchise Away Once you master your business model, learn to understand local and state laws so you can then work towards opening new locations in your home state and beyond, says Wise. Find Team Players Developing a team of trusted people has been crucial, Wise says. “Two of my New Jersey staff members have worked their way up into the franchise company,” she says. “Now they help keep an eye on everything.” Weather the Storms “We were closed for three months because of the [pandemic] shutdown,” says Wise. “During that time, we strategized on what we were going to do when we opened again. Then when we reopened, we had our best months ever because people realized the importance of self-care.”
Ridge Country Club. Then there’s a place in Montclair called Pharmacie—it’s really good, too.
NJF: Is it mostly women opening these studios? KW: Yes! I’m seeing a lot of women who were a part of major corporations and they’re just like, ‘I just want to be closer to home. I want to have a part-time schedule so I can be around for my kids.’
NJF: Is there an easy stretch we can all try at home? KW: Sit up nice and tall, drop your head to the side, put your hand by your ear and just drop your shoulder. Keep dropping your shoulder down and drop your head to the side. You feel it in here [points to side of neck]. The important part is keeping your shoulder down, then do the other side and you’ll notice one side is always a little different than the other. The neck is the highway to your brain. If this is very tight, the connection gets lost and you get tired; you can’t think straight. So, it’s very important to stretch your neck.
NJF: What are some of your favorite places in New Jersey? KW: There’s a place in Jersey City called Hudson & Co. that’s on the water, and you can see New York on the other side, but you’re still in New Jersey and the food is great. We joined Glen
NJF: Any final words of advice to aspiring mompreneurs? KW: Don’t hold back and don’t be afraid to start a business or something new. You can get it done. You only live once, so take a chance and do what really makes you happy.
MAY 2022 | NEW JERSEY FAMILY
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MEET OUR
MOMPRENEUR OF THE YEAR! Skillman mom Avani Modi Sarkar is the co-founder of Modi Toys, which aims to make Hindu faith fun and meaningful for kids
s a kid growing up in New Jersey, Avani Modi Sarkar always felt immersed in Indian culture, thanks to her parents making the effort to keep their culture alive at home. Modi Sarkar was 8 when she and her family immigrated to the Garden State from India. When she became a mom in 2017, she wanted her kids to feel a strong connection to their Indian heritage, too. Avani’s brother Viral had the same wish for his daughter, and together, the siblings decided the answer could be found in creating plush toys and books that spark a conversation about Hinduism and South Asian culture.
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Modi Sarkar co-founded Modi Toys with her brother in 2018 and she left her corporate job in 2020. The company’s plush dolls and books are inspired by Modi Sarkar’s daughter and niece and have gotten national attention for diversifying the toy industry. Modi Sarkar has been recognized as an Inc. Female Founder 1000, Forbes Next 1000 and Tory Burch Fellow. The company won a Good Housekeeping 2021 Toy Award and even got a shout-out from actress Mindy Kaling on Instagram! A mom of three (Naavya, 5; Saanvi, 2 and Sai, 9 months), she’s excited to grow the business with her brother. We asked her how it all began, what she enjoys most about her work and what she loves to do in NJ with her husband and kids.
AVANI MODI SARKAR
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By Dina El Nabli
NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: NINA PANDYA PHOTOGRAPHY / JULIE PHOTOS LLC / UNNATI UMARVADIA / AVANI MODI SARKAR
Mompreneur of the Year
Modi Toys
Avani Modi Sarkar, Co-Founder moditoys.com
New Jersey Family: Tell us about the first product you developed and how Modi Toys has evolved since then. Avani Modi Sarkar: Since Ganesh is considered to be the remover of obstacles in the Hindu faith and an auspicious symbol for all new beginnings, we launched our business with the Baby Ganesh plush and a corresponding book I wrote, How Ganesh Broke His Tusk. After selling out our initial inventory within a matter of weeks, we realized there was a clear gap in the market. Our customers clamored for more representative toys and books like these, so we launched four more collections in the following years. In addition to Baby Ganesh, we now also offer Baby Hanuman, Baby Krishna, Saraswati Devi, Durga Devi and the Shhhanti Musical Crib Mobile. NJF: What do Modi’s mantra plush dolls symbolize? AMS: Each one of our plush toys represents different Hindu gods and goddesses who symbolize specific qualities, like knowledge, luck, power,
MAY 2022 | NEW JERSEY FAMILY
strength and love. When you squeeze their bellies, they play devotional Hindu mantras (prayers). NJF: What’s been your best seller? AMS: Baby Ganesh has been our top-selling item for the past three years because of what Ganesh symbolizes. Besides being the remover of obstacles, he is also a symbol of good luck. Naturally, people turn to Baby Ganesh for all of life’s occasions—big and small—from baby showers to birthdays, get well soon to graduations or housewarmings to holidays. NJF: Tell us about your children’s books. AMS: Our books are just as popular because they introduce these gods in a playful and a relatable manner, unlike other books on similar subjects. Making our products educational and informative was just as important as making them fun and simple. So, I began writing a children’s book without
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Raising Smarties
NJF: What’s been your most exciting business moment? AMS: Last year was truly a milestone year for us. Despite being a niche brand, we were recognized by mainstream media as entrepreneurs, as a small business and, most importantly, for our toys. Of all the accolades we received last year, winning the Good Housekeeping Best Toy award was one of the proudest moments. We were awarded the prestigious honor among everyday brands like Crayola, LEGO, Lovevery, Fisher-Price, LeapFrog and Melissa & Doug. Testing all the toys is a month-long process. The Good Housekeeping team assesses the toys in terms of skill-building attributes and obtains feedback from kids, who I deem to be the toughest critics of all. To be recognized by mainstream media as a “Best Toy”—as opposed to the best “diverse” toy or best “cultural” toy—is truly the best compliment ever. NJF: How have your mantra plush dolls impacted people’s lives? AMS: The story that has touched us the most is about a 4-year-old-boy who was hospitalized for a 10-week chemotherapy treatment. His mother shared that Baby Ganesh and Baby Hanuman never left her son’s side during his entire stay, giving him comfort, while giving the parents strength in knowing God was watching over him in their absence. Similarly, there’s the story of a soon-to-be grandfather undergoing aggressive chemotherapy to treat acute myeloid leukemia. [One of] his children shared, “My dad has gone through so much and may very well be on his last few days to few weeks of life left on this earth. We don’t know if he’ll ever see his first grandchild, but we do know the comfort your toys have given him…you created some real good in this world with these toys. I know they’re meant for kids, but they impact us all the same.” NJF: How have your kids been involved with Modi Toys? AMS: As the company’s Chief Inspiration Officers, their work never ends! I love watching my kids and nieces play and observing what strikes—
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and holds—their attention. I often catch myself asking things like, “How can I make this moment more culturally meaningful?” In fact, that’s how the idea for our musical crib mobile came about. I would often find myself softly humming and singing the Gayatri mantra (a popular Hindu prayer for Goddess Gayatri) while putting my oldest daughter to sleep. I wondered if there was a crib mobile that played Hindu prayers in a soothing instrumental melody. When my brother and I couldn’t find it anywhere on the market, we decided to make our own. Three of our five children have now grown up listening to our very own musical crib mobile. NJF: What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve gotten? AMS: “Your greatest life is on the other side of your greatest fear.” To be honest, I was fairly content with my corporate 9-to-5 job, and wasn’t sure if or when I would pursue Modi Toys full time. My brother and I had been able to grow our small business as a side hustle, and I thought I’d continue juggling all the balls as long as I could. But the pandemic changed the trajectory of my career and my life. I not only had two back-to-back pandemic babies (in March 2020 and August 2021), but was also laid off while I was on maternity leave. Although I was confident in our company’s potential, I was afraid of the uncertainty entrepreneurship brought. It’s funny how once you bet on yourself, you build confidence in others to bet on you as well. NJF: What’s next for Modi Toys? AMS: We’re launching a new plush goddess later this fall, along with three children’s books. And hopefully in the not-too-distant future, we will enter big box retailers. NJF: What do you love to do in New Jersey with your kids? AMS: When I got married and started my family six years ago, we lived in Weehawken on the waterfront. Having easy access to kid-friendly places like Liberty Science Center and, more recently, the newly-opened American Dream mall were great options for cold or rainy days. Now that we live 10 minutes from downtown Princeton, I love exploring the same streets with my three kids that I once walked in my late teenage years.
JULIE PHOTOS LLC
having any prior knowledge of writing. There is something truly special about picking up a book for bedtime written by you, reading it aloud to your kids and seeing them engage with it firsthand.
NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
MOMPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Finalists
Mompreneur of the Year
FOOD
Aginah Maltabes, Hopewell
Pizza Den, Princeton • pizzadenprinceton.com New Jersey Family: Did you have any background in the restaurant world before opening Pizza Den? Aginah Maltabes: My husband owned Hoagie Haven in Princeton. I became a food sales rep and quickly realized I wanted to run my own restaurant.
AGINAH MALTABES
NJF: Why did you choose to open a pizza place? AM: When I threw my son’s pizzamaking birthday party, the fun and joy it brought to the parents and kids was such an inspirational moment. I knew then I wanted to open my business. NJF: What makes Pizza Den unique? AM: We’re a small shop with a big impact. We’re women-led, Blackowned and make amazing brick oven pizza, while adding style and detail to every aspect of the business.
NJF: How do you balance work and motherhood? AM: I teach my children about all aspects of running a business and the value of hard work. They also see the pleasure of running a successful, thriving business. We close on Sundays and take a day of rest for well-being and to ensure I get extra quality time with my kids. NJF: What’s the best business advice you’ve received? AM: My Greek father-in-law said, “You have to learn to stomach hard and stressful situations and remember patience is key.” NJF: How do you hope to inspire others? AM: As a mother and business owner, I understand the importance of showing other women and girls that having a business is truly possible.
AUTHOR
Montserrat Coughlin Kim, Montclair
When a Dragon Comes, LLC • whenadragoncomes.org
MONTSERRAT COUGHLIN KIM
New Jersey Family: The inspiration for your books and business is deeply personal. How did it all come to be? Montserrat Coughlin Kim: Before my husband was diagnosed with cancer, he was the most laid-back guy. One day, my daughter sat down next to him on the sofa and he snapped at her about jumping on the couch. I told her that it wasn’t her father that snapped at her: It was the cancer dragon. Early in George’s diagnosis, I had looked for children’s books about cancer but couldn’t find any. I’m fortunate that I was able to read a very early draft to my husband before he died. NJF: What was the biggest obstacle in getting When a Dragon Comes off the ground? MCK: It’s scary to tell your story or create something that other people
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may not like or value; you can feel vulnerable. It’s also frightening to start a business; there is much to do and manage, and I worried about messing things up. Once I realized that I would make mistakes, but I would figure out ways to fix most errors, I became more comfortable with the process. NJF: What advice do you have for parents who have to support their children’s grief over a sick parent or who have lost a parent to cancer? MCK: Cut yourself some slack. Talking to kids about cancer or illness is tough. You have a lot of emotions and so do they. You don’t have to get it right, because there really isn’t a right or wrong way to do this. You know your family and you will do a good job taking care of them, even in your new situation.
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OF THE YEAR MOMPRENEUR Mompreneur of the Year
Finalists
MOVEMENT
Sharyn Brandman, Martinsville The Circus Place • thecircusplace.com
NJF: When did you launch the business and what was your biggest inspiration? SB: I launched my business in 2011, when no one in New Jersey had really even heard of circus arts outside of a Ringling show! My biggest inspiration was my son learning to juggle in middle school. Juggling made him feel accomplished and successful. As I watched his self-esteem and
confidence grow with each new trick, I knew I had found something for kids who didn’t fit the traditional mold of team sports. NJF: How are you and your business involved in the community? SB: Our school hosts workshops and performances for local community foundations, such as Good Grief, GiGi’s Playhouse and Steps Together. AMELIA WIEGER / COURTESY SHARYN BRANDMAN
New Jersey Family: What is The Circus Place and what makes it unique? Sharyn Brandman: The Circus Place is a non-competitive environment where athleticism and artistry converge. From aerial silks to wire walking, students learn skills that empower and challenge their bodies and minds, while alleviating some of the stress that sometimes comes from team sports.
NJF: What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever gotten that you want to share with others? SB: ‘Know what you don’t know.’ In other words, take the time to learn what you’re not an expert in, then find the people who are so you can grow your knowledge alongside them. Keep those people as mentors and never be too shy to ask for help.
MENTAL HEALTH
Robyn Spodek-Schindler, Manalapan New Jersey Family: Tell us about your practice and what makes it unique. Robyn Spodek-Schindler: We are creative arts therapists who focus on utilizing the arts as a means of expressing emotions. One of my favorite things to tell kids when they come in is, “you don’t have to talk.” That alone allows them to let down their guard. NJF: When did you launch the practice, and what was your inspiration? RSS: I launched back in October 2011 as the only therapist, as well as the owner. I was working for big-name mental health facilities and started to feel the burnout that many in my field experience when working for these corporations. NJF: How can creative expression help kids and teens work through their anxiety? 22
RSS: What we do as art therapists is when a child comes in, we provide them with specific art directives that will assist in pulling out the layers of that anxiety. NJF: How are you and your practice involved in the community? RSS: We recently participated in an event that brought in teens from all over Monmouth County. We are currently working with Monmouth Arts to come up with ways we can work together to assist more kids and families. NJF: What’s your advice for parents who want to support their children’s mental health? RSS: If your child is brave enough to come to you asking for help or letting you know they want to see a professional, don’t dismiss it and don’t wait on it. NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
FROM TOP: ROBYN SPODEK-SCHINDLER / CITY NIGHTS HOSPITALITY / ROBYN SPODEK-SCHINDLER
Paint the Stars Art Therapy, LLC • paintthestarsarttherapy.com
OF THE YEAR MOMPRENEUR Mompreneur of the Year
Finalists LOCAL COMMUNITY
Melissa DeSanti, Mendham
FROM TOP: SAMANTHA ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY / TORI FRYDRYCH
The Morris Bernards Moms Network • morrisbernardsmoms.com New Jersey Family: What makes MBM unique? Melissa DeSanti: The Morris Bernards Moms Network strives to be the go-to resource for families in and around Southern Morris County and Somerset Hills. Whether you’re looking for a contractor or a birthday entertainer, our website covers it all. NJF: Why did you start MBM? MD: I lost my job in 2015. No one knew it, but I was eight weeks pregnant with my first child. I was introduced to our parent company, The Local Moms Network, and immediately knew this was something I wanted to be a part of. NJF: What are the MBM features you’re most proud of? MD: The first is our Meet a Mom
series. I love getting to know these women. It’s really amazing to learn how accomplished your neighbor is, and you look at them in awe because they’re all balancing life and work from the carpool line! My second is our Marketplace. We partner with small businesses to feature curated items we love (and think you will too) in our online shop. NJF: What is your role in the community for other moms? MD: I hope moms see me as their go-to resource for everything local. Our website is filled with information, like children’s activities, birthday party ideas and summer camps. I’m constantly updating our calendar and website pages as I learn of new businesses or activities happening in our area.
COMMUNITY / SOCIAL MEDIA
Tara Clark, Closter
Modern Mom Probs • modernmomprobs.com Modern Mom Style Box • modernmomstylebox.com New Jersey Family: What is Modern Mom Probs and what makes it unique? Tara Clark: Modern Mom Probs is a parenting and lifestyle brand offering expert advice, interviews and courses designed to support and empower the modern day mom.
LAUREN ANZEVINO / DREAM BEBE PHOTOGRAPHY
NJF: Tell us about @modernmomprobs on Instagram. TC: I was looking for a creative outlet while being a SAHM to my thentoddler, and I wanted to connect with more moms and make them laugh through my parenting memes. NJF: What inspired your book, Modern Mom Probs? TC: The book is the analog version of the account. My inspiration was to reach people beyond Instagram. NJF: Tell us about the style box. MAY 2022 | NEW JERSEY FAMILY
TC: It’s a solution for a modern mom problem. Moms have enough on their plates to worry about, like what to wear for work, errands and everything else on their schedules. NJF: How do you balance motherhood with your many work ventures? TC: To simplify your life, you must let certain things go, like the notion of doing it all. You must focus on effectiveness over balance. You have to decide what effectiveness looks like to you, and it can change by the day. NJF: What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever gotten? TC: Delegate, delegate, delegate. You simply cannot do all of the things all of the time. This applies to parenting as well. It’s okay to ask for help in building your business. You’re not expected to know how to do every aspect perfectly. 23
MOMPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Mompreneur of the Year Finalists BABY
Aimee Danchise, Randolph New Jersey Family: What makes your business unique? Aimee Danchise: Inklings Baby is a majority women, part LGBTQowned brand that creates colorful, quirky baby toys and infant novels based on imaginary friends. Inklings are sensory focused, unique and gender-neutral.
AD: It has taken me almost five years to finally realize that there is no balancing business and motherhood, especially when you’re an entrepreneur. You just have to integrate. Once I started to create boundaries for myself, I was able to let go of some of the worry and guilt.
NJF: What was your inspiration to launch Inklings Baby? AD: We launched our first character, Ollie the Oddball Oddbird, in 2018 with a successful Kickstarter. My best friend and business partner Lex came up with the idea for Inklings after my daughter Evie received a lot of basic, boring baby gifts.
NJF: What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve gotten that you want to share with others? AD: Whenever you start something new, people will share their opinions, good or bad. Someone once told me, ‘It’s not that people are upset that you stepped outside the box. It’s that you reminded them that they are inside the box.’ If you have an idea or a passion, don’t be afraid to go for it.
NJF: How do you balance motherhood with your business?
PAIGE RIGOGLIOSO PHOTOGRAPHY
Inklings Baby • inklingsbaby.com
BIRTHDAYS AND HOLIDAYS
Michelle Hawthorn, Ridgewood The Fiesta Box • thefiestaboxco.com
NJF: Where do you find the inspiration for each box? MH: I have a close network of friends and family that I constantly pepper with questions and ideas. I love incorporating other small businesses and creators who I know pour their hearts into what they do. These collaborations usually create amazing ideas for unique touches 24
in each themed box, especially for holidays. NJF: What are your best sellers? MH: My best sellers have been holidays, like Christmas and Valentine’s Day—they’re always such fun. Space was a big theme last year, and of course, anything rainbow! NJF: How do you balance motherhood with your business? MH: I try to prioritize the time I can guarantee to The Fiesta Box with what needs to get done. I also enlist my kids to help with jobs like folding boxes, sorting crafts or helping me think of ideas they would like to see. My older son came up with “The Fun Box.” He creates activities, boxes them complete with materials and instructions and gives them to his classmates. NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
ASH V PHOTOGRAPHY
New Jersey Family: What is The Fiesta Box? Michelle Hawthorn: The Fiesta Box helps busy grownups create special memories for themselves, their kids and families by curating quality, unique party goods and packaging them into on-trend themes for all holidays and occasions. Whether it’s for the dinosaur-loving tot or the ballerinaobsessed birthday girl, we coordinate the pieces to make your day special.
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Women-Owned 2022
BUSINESSES Get to know New Jersey’s extraordinary entrepreneurs and what their companies have to offer.
MAY 2022 | NEW JERSEY FAMILY
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[WOMEN IN BUSINESS] COMPANY SHOWCASE
HD Family Law HELEN M. DUKHAN, ESQ., LL.M., LLC, Hackensack • hdfamilylaw.com • FB: @hdfamilylaw • linkedin.com/in/dukhanlaw • Instagram: @hd_family_law L EGA L S ERV ICES
What inspired you to start your firm? After six years of being mentored by some of the most experienced and talented attorneys in the family and matrimonial legal field, I realized that I wanted to help individuals uncouple on my own terms and in a more holistic, cost effective and efficient manner. Mainly, I wanted to put my clients in control of the outcome rather than myself or some judge who does not really know them. So, I started HD Family Law, LCC., where I was in control of my reputation and handling of each case, ensuring that each client left saying, “Nothing Says a Good Day Like a Divorce!” What sets your firm apart? We are best known for our responsiveness. This may sound trivial, but we put great effort into being there for our clients every step of the way and that means answering their questions and concerns as quickly as possible. We recognize that in our field the client is dealing with family and financial crisis. That’s why we do everything in our power to address those concerns as immediately as possible. How do you juggle being a business owner with family demands? With a great amount of help! I truly depend on my office staff, who are amazing and who my clients love, to help run the business smoothly. I also have plenty of help and support at home and from dear friends that I truly rely on to be there for the kids when I can’t be. Some days it feels like all of the balls I’m juggling will fall, but most days I feel tremendously grateful to be able to have my business doing so well while my kids are well taken care of. What are you best known for? Being able to finalize even the most hostile, impossible, and litigious family and matrimonial matters with a successful settlement on behalf of our client. So many clients thank me for tirelessly negotiating for their ideal outcome and keeping them from having to go through a long, stressful and expensive trial. What do you love most about what you do? When my client first comes to me, their whole world is in turmoil and they are not sure how they will manage and/or afford their new normal following divorce or separation. I love most when as a result of my efforts on their behalf they say, “Helen, you were right and everything is truly going to be ok!”. What was your proudest moment as a business owner? When clients started coming in with the book I wrote, Nothing Says a Good Day Like a Divorce—If You Prepare For It, completely organized, empowered, and ready to move forward, having followed my advice. I knew that all of my hard work was helping people and as the owner of a service business, that is always my number one goal!
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NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
[WOMEN IN BUSINESS] COMPANY SHOWCASE
The Kraft Group, Inc. LEIGH KOLODNY-KRAFT, FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LPC, LCADC, CSAT-S Florham Park • thekraftgroupinc.org • Instagram: @thekraftgroupinc H EA LT H SERV ICES
What inspired you to start your practice? The inspiration came from a need to fill a gap in mental health treatment for individuals and families. I wanted to gather together the highest level of specialized subject experts under one roof to operate as a team to meet client needs. What sets your practice apart? The level of authenticity and dedication brought to the table by each provider. We are best known for delivering award winning trauma, mental health, and addiction services for a wide range of individuals and their families. What do you love most about what you do? Knowing that we have created a safe space where no one has to suffer alone. We work hard to assist individuals in moving past any barriers that stand in the way of their recovery journey. I love to see the progress people make to heal and we feel honored to be part of that process. What are you best known for? Being subject experts and award winners in each of our specialties. Most importantly we are known for our integrity and authenticity. Our clients feel a sense of safety and genuine care when they walk into our offices that they often say they have not felt before. Our team is known for being passionate about and truly loving the work we do. What was the hardest thing about getting your business off the ground? Finding the right people who shared the same values as it pertains to client treatment. I would say the initial years are the growing pains for any business both in finding the right people who share the same values and philosophy in order to build the foundation of the business. It takes a team, not one person. How do you juggle family and work demands? It’s always a struggle for anyone if they are being truly honest. I try to be completely present for both family relationships and the business to the best of my ability. What’s next for practice? We have expanded our Special Needs division. We have found a great need to offer more services tailored specifically to the brain science behind anxiety and trauma. Utilizing those methods helps people move past anxiety and other roadblocks. The Kraft Group is all about fostering resiliency so no one has to be in pain alone. How are you involved in the local community? We are working in response to COVID and community crisis to provide specialized support for medical professionals and first responders to help avoid burnout and help treat second hand trauma. We have devised a program to assist these individuals to meet their needs in a safe and confidential setting.
MAY 2022 | NEW JERSEY FAMILY
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[WOMEN IN BUSINESS] COMPANY SHOWCASE
Lawrence Law JERALYN LAWRENCE, ESQ. Watchung • lawlawfirm.com • linkedin.com/company/lawlawfirm L EGA L S ERV ICES
What inspired you to start your firm? After more than twenty years as an attorney working for someone else, I knew I needed to control my own destiny and financial future to be truly happy and secure. What sets your firm apart? We are a divorce and family law firm whose team has been together for many years. We work very hard to strategize with our clients and meet their goals. What was your firm’s proudest moment? After all the design, decisions, details and dilemmas, we had a ribbon cutting ceremony and everything became real. Watching my children watch me open up the firm was very special. What’s your biggest area of expertise? Divorce or post-divorce issues are the most common matters we handle. People need help getting through the struggles inherent in divorce and we are highly experienced in all facets of the law. What do you love most about what you do? I became an attorney to help people. We assist clients in need and help them get to a much better place in their lives. What is your firm best known for? We are top notch legal counsel in family law. We assist clients with divorce, litigation, mediation, arbitration, collaborative, child custody, child support, domestic violence, parenting time disputes, pre-nuptial agreements and post judgment matters. We also represent clients who have children and never married but have family disputes. We pride ourselves on being both compassionate and effective. Our clients can trust us to be with them every step and to help them reach their best outcome. We are fierce advocates when needed but also know how to bring about a successful resolution. What’s your most memorable experience with a client? When I represented a wife and her husband became a very good referral source as he wished he had me as his lawyer. What’s the one thing you wish everyone knew about running your own business? Who you surround yourself with is critical to your happiness and success. Stay open to new ideas and be nimble, for challenges will surely come, and the more adaptable you are the better chance you can remain balanced and grow. How do you juggle family and work demands? Day by day and most times minute by minute. I need to constantly prioritize, but family always comes first. What’s next for Lawrence Law? I want Lawrence Law to be in the forefront of NJ divorce law by providing great service to our clients in all matters. We love the fact that we can offer greater flexibility and value by using video conferencing technology for consultations, mediations, meetings, and court appearances. We strive to provide the best representation to those going through very difficult times.
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NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
[WOMEN IN BUSINESS] COMPANY SHOWCASE
Morphmom KATHLEEN BUTLER SMITH, FOUNDER morphmom.com • Instagram: @morphmom COMMU NIT Y/ MENTORSHIP
What inspired you to start Morphmom? I served as an Assistant Prosecutor in Hudson County for many years. I stopped after the birth of my second child and later discovered that re-entering the workforce would be difficult. I quickly noticed that I was not alone and that there were, in fact, many women who found themselves in a similar position, struggling to discover their next step, be it work related, volunteer-based, or simply rediscovering their passion. I began to travel the country to chronicle and share the inspirational stories of women—“Morphmoms” who had managed to chart their own course with the hope of helping other women do the same. Since its launch, Morphmom has become a platform to promote, support, inspire, empower, educate and connect these women and their remarkable stories, in order to help them to find their next step. What do you love most about what you do? I’m honored to meet the most incredible and inspiring women and to share their stories to help others. What’s the one thing you wish everyone knew about running a business? It’s like riding a roller coaster. You have to appreciate the good days and understand that bad days will get better. How has your business evolved? Although our mission has remained the same, we have evolved over the years. I began traveling the country with a video camera and tripod capturing stories and sharing them on our website. I then began hosting live events and conferences. I shared these stories in my Huffington Post column and hosted a live radio show and podcast. When the pandemic hit, we pivoted to an online show, The Happier Hour, where we interview an inspiring woman from around the country. It now airs on Instagram live @morphmom every Wednesday night at 6 pm. What was the hardest part of starting Morphmom? I think realizing when it’s time to pivot is very difficult. As an entrepreneur, you set out on a specific direction. Yet, you have to remain flexible and adaptable when it is evident that you may have to alter that original plan. What’s next for you? We have fallen in love with our weekly Morphmom Happier Hour and are excited to grow our show and audience. We’re also thrilled to announce that we’re hosting our first retreat this fall in Asheville, NC. Details to follow! What would you like everyone to know about you? I love what I do. I love meeting and connecting women around the country, I love sharing these incredible stories. I love learning about the women who have taken their next steps. I am forever grateful to the Morphmom community—a group of incredibly kind, generous and amazing women who graciously give their time to help others, and I am inspired every day. My dream is to continue to grow this community as the more women that join our movement, the more people we can help!
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[WOMEN IN BUSINESS] COMPANY SHOWCASE
Primrose Schools ASHLEY GRAY / AMINA GUNARATNE Mountainside / Berkeley Heights • primroseschools.com • Instagram: @primroseschools E DUCATION
Ashley and Amina are kindred spirits, strong women who found themselves relying on each other as they navigated through the pathways of being entrepreneurs. Their mutual admiration and support of each other is a highlight of their overall Primrose journey. What inspired you to start your school? Amina: Disheartened by the childcare services we experienced as parents, we set out to create a solution that would appeal to the standards of care we wanted for our own children. Our journey for exceptional care led us to Primrose Schools. Ashley: I was a practicing lawyer for 12 years and as I began maternity leave with my second child, I told my boss, “I just don’t think I can do this anymore.” A year later, my Primrose School was opening just days before my daughter’s first birthday. She was with me every step of the way during the first five years of her life. What sets your schools apart? Ashley: We lead by example, serving children, families, and one another daily. It takes a special personality to have a heart for service and we try to instill this in our students. What was your proudest moment as a business owner? Amina: In August 2014, our school opened with the highest enrollment ever for a first-time Primrose franchise owner. Ashley: Nothing has made me prouder than watching my daughter grow up as a Primrose child. I give so much credit to Primrose for the person she is becoming because of the experiences she had at our school. What was your most memorable experience as a business owner? Amina: Last year, as our kindergarten graduates collected their diplomas, our entire team was beaming with pride. We have seen our graduates go on to greater success in their schools and we’re honored to have partnered with our families in their child’s educational journey. What’s the one thing you wish everyone knew about running your own business? Amina: Never settle for the status quo. As a team, we are continuously preparing, learning and strengthening our practices to ensure continued success. Ashley: You are not just the CEO, but the CFO, CTO, therapist, janitor, errand runner and Chief People person. How do you juggle family and work demands? Amina: While our children have outgrown the need for childcare services, they have had front row seats to the grit and determination their parents displayed in their entrepreneurial adventure. Today, we discuss new business ventures together as a family. Ashley: They very nature of our business makes it easier for us to have work/life balance in a way that was not possible in corporate America. A few weeks ago my 13-year-old son was at the school setting up classrooms for teacher in-service day. And we constantly discuss ideas for the school at the dinner table.
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NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
[WOMEN IN BUSINESS] COMPANY SHOWCASE
Social Butterfly Counseling SABRINA L. COPPOLA, LCSW Wyckoff • socialbutterflycounseling.com MENTA L H EA LT H & W ELLNESS
What inspired you to start your practice? Without doubt, my family and my love for empowering others. What do you love most about what you do? My passion is rooted in empowering others. My career path has allowed me to be a clinician, a professor, and a mentor. It’s hard to adequately capture the magic that I feel for helping people make change. That’s what it’s all about! What is your practice best known for? Social Butterfly Counseling is best known for being a home away from home. Our practice is located in the heart of Wyckoff in a unique home-like space. It’s a judgment-free sanctuary where children, families and adults can feel safe and supported to work toward life goals that free them from unrealistic expectations that society places on us at times. What’s one thing you wish everyone knew about running your own business? I’d like to tell you all that it’s easy, but I’d be lying to you. Running a business and leading a team takes discipline, respect and a combination of confidence and competence. Learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. That’s my motto. Leadership requires vulnerability to put yourself out there, knowing that you will fail at times. So much success can come from learning from failure. What was the hardest thing about getting the business off the ground? Patience. I needed to gain the strength to be patient and remind myself that all the seeds I planted would take time to grow and evolve. How do you juggle family and work demands? First, I must mention that I am human. Some days I nail this parenting thing and other days, not so much. Over time, the juggling act has evolved with my family. The keys to success for our family are consistency, structure, routine and a splash of spontaneity. My husband and I strongly believe that family comes first. Everything that we do is rooted in this belief. Using that as our foundation, I am able to create healthy boundaries and expectations for myself and my time.
SHANNON KENNEDY PHOTOGRAPHY
What’s next for your practice? We are humbled by such positive feedback from our community. We are excited to expand our practice with multiple locations and a children’s book series. The pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health. We hope to bring trustworthy services to other parts of our state. This expansion, combined with a book series, can support many more children and their families both near and far. How is your practice invested in the community? It brings me great pride to give back to our community. I make it a priority to present several times a year at local schools on relevant topics that impact mental health. What else would you like NJ families to know about you? Social Butterfly Counseling was created out of love. I thank each and every family that has given us the gift of their trust. My heart is filled with love and gratitude. xo
MAY 2022 | NEW JERSEY FAMILY
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[WOMEN IN BUSINESS] COMPANY SHOWCASE
The Social Status Co. MARNIE NATHANSON, CEO Scotch Plains • thesocialstatusco.com • Instagram: @thesocialstatusco MA RK ET I NG
What inspired you to start your business? Being a mom inspired me to start my own business. I was working at my dream job, but missing things at home like first steps and first words. I needed to find a way to apply my skills in a situation that would allow me to have work/life integration, and so, The Social Status Co. was born. What was your proudest moment as a business owner? There is no prouder moment than writing checks to the people on the team! I love watching women grow in a role that they love and they succeed in. What do you love most about what you do? One day it’s back-to-back meetings, the next we’re on set for a shoot—every single day is just so different and we work with such a variety of clients that things are never boring. What is your business best known for? We’re best known for our 360 approach to marketing. Our social, PR and influencer teams work seamlessly to provide the best strategy for our clients. What was your most memorable experience with a client? We are proud partners of Runway of Dreams / Gamut Management and love that we have established ourselves as the social-first agency for the disability space. It’s a very exciting time for the community, and we’re proud to be experts in how to market to people with disabilities, and how to give people with disabilities a voice on social media and in the press. What’s one thing you wish everyone knew about running your own business? It’s a 24/7, 365 job. You wake up thinking about your company, and you go to bed thinking about your company. How has your business evolved? We were originally solely focused on social media and content creation, and we’re a full-service agency just six years later. It’s very exciting to continue to expand our services and partnerships. What was the hardest part of getting the business started? Confidence! Being confident in your business plan, and your team, and yourself is the ticket to success. What’s next for The Social Status Co.? We’re really excited about our newest vertical, The Generation Ahead (thegenerationahead.com) where we’re focusing on all things Generation Alpha. We know they have incredible influence and purchase power, and we’re really interested in helping brands effectively market to this newest generation of consumers. How is your business involved in your local community? We’re right on the main street in Scotch Plains, so we’re always open to supporting anyone who comes through our doors. We sponsor school events, Girl Scout events, local teams, and run fundraisers year-round. Let us know if you’re ever in a pinch for a conference room!
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NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
[WOMEN IN BUSINESS] COMPANY SHOWCASE
Victory Public Relations ANDREA SAMACICIA MULLAN, FOUNDER Summit • victorypublicrelations.com • Instagram: @victorypr COMMU NIT Y/ MENTORSHIP
What inspired you to start your business? The inspiration for VPR was that the lifestyle I envisioned for myself included both career and family. In my roles prior, I didn’t see how I would be able to pursue my professional ambitions while also being the present mother I wanted to be for myself and my family. That was back in 2009–years before I had my kids! What sets your PR firm apart? Victory Public Relations provides custom, prestige public relations campaigns to increase awareness and generate valuable buzz for our clients and the brands they power. To do that, we hone in on their most important messages, define their target audiences and develop a strategy for distribution of that message to media outlets their audience is tuned in to. When you see a story about a local business doing something exciting on the news or an expert quoted in a story in a national magazine or in a website article, you’re witnessing the work of a publicist. I’m proud of how VPR combines the best of what our largest and smallest competitors offer by providing the results- and processdriven experience that is typical of larger agencies, as well as the agility and creativity more common amongst smaller businesses or freelancers. What do you love most about what you do? There was a time when I did it all. That’s not the case today: VPR has an amazing and incredibly talented team of publicists and a managing director. As a result I’m left to do what I love most these days, which is developing strategies to help both our clients’ brands grow, as well as our own! I also love to give pep talks, whether it’s because of a challenge we’re facing along with everyone else (hello, COVID and working motherhood) or the result of growth we’re pursuing. What are you best known for? We’ve become known for our ability to get press for anyone or any brand. Some of the best work we do is for clients who have no upcoming launches or breaking news—we love making the news! What was your most memorable experience with a client? I love when a campaign plays out exactly as we said it would, something that happens quite frequently but only recently have our clients told us that! PR is sometimes a slow burn, but when a group of press starts hitting that reinforces a client’s most important key messages, it’s a very exciting feeling for both my team and the client. It never gets old! How do you juggle family and work demands? The truth is that I just try my best! Even so, I often find that I’m overcommitted, or that I feel like I’m falling short in one of these two categories. What’s worked best for me over the years is ensuring that I have my priorities in order and understanding that mine may differ from someone else’s.
MAY 2022 | NEW JERSEY FAMILY
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[WOMEN IN BUSINESS] COMPANY SHOWCASE DENTA L S E RV ICES
Chatham Orthodontics DR. BARBARA FODERO, DDS, MS chathambraces.com Instagram @chathamortho What sets your business and brand apart? Having a “mom perspective” has helped me understand the demands of juggling children’s busy schedules along with work schedules. It’s made me a more compassionate and sensitive orthodontist. I treat my patients the way I’d treat my own children. What do you love most about what you do? I love having a profound impact on someone’s self-esteem when I create a beautiful smile. I also love the connections I make with my patients and their families. I feel like people come in as patients and leave as friends.
What’s the moment when you knew you nailed it? When I learn that new clients hear positive things about me and my business on their community Facebook page, I know I’m doing something right.
How do you juggle being a business owner with family demands? It’s not easy being a divorced mom running a business. I work my longer days and my Saturday hours when my children are with their dad, which has relieved me of a lot of mom guilt. I’ve learned not to overextend myself in order to maintain a work/family balance. How’s your business involved in your local community? I participate in a program called Smiles Changes Lives, where I donate free orthodontic treatment to children whose parents can’t afford braces. I also sponsor local school sports, performing arts and general fundraiser events.
L EGAL
Cipriano Law Offices, P.C. MELISSA CIPRIANO, ESQ. West Caldwell ciprianolaw.com What inspired you to start your business? When the insurance defense firm I worked for didn’t allow me to open a family department, I went out on my own. What was your proudest moment as a business owner? When I was first working in family law and I was able to get one of my best friends the help he needed. His wife took their two-month-old daughter, left NJ, moved to Oregon and refused to come back. The child is now 21 and he was the residential parent from the time she was two months old. What is your firm best known for? We pride ourselves on being reasonable and fair and not being afraid of trials and litigation. H ow has your firm evolved since you started it? We now have six lawyers and we’re growing. We have a written decision in same-sex adoption. H ow do you juggle work and family demands? There has to be a break from work so that time can be spent with the family. What’s next for you and your firm? I am now a parenting coordinator in addition to offering mediations, collaborative law, divorce, DCP&P and domestic violence litigation. H ow is your firm involved in the local community? We are members of the Italian Tribune, AM Roundtable Networking Group in Caldwell and support local businesses. What else would you like NJ families to know about you? I am a child of divorce and a divorced person and also a divorce lawyer for the past 23 years.
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NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
[WOMEN IN BUSINESS] COMPANY SHOWCASE K ID S & FA MILIES
Circus Place SHARYN BRANDMAN, OWNER Hillsborough thecircusplace.com • @thecircusplace What sets your business apart? Circus Place is an incredible environment where athleticism and artistry combine. Founded on the premise of creating an encouraging, creative space for physical activity, Circus Place is a uniquely non-competitive environment. From trapeze to silks to wire walking to juggling, students learn skills that empower and challenge their bodies and minds while working toward performing their skills or just enhancing them! What is your most requested class? As Circus becomes more popular with shows like America’s Got Talent, our most requested class for all ages is our Aerial Sampler. In this class, we teach beginner silks, trapeze and lyra from ages 6-99! Our second most popular class is Unicycle! How do you know your business is nailing it? Often I have parents come and thank me for allowing their child to truly be themselves with no limitations. Many parents say their child has finally found “where they fit” which has made a huge difference in their self-confidence and self-esteem. That is the most amazing feeling! How are you involved in your community? One of the most important parts of our mission statement is to give back to the community and make circus arts accessible to anyone who may not have access. We have provided Circus workshops and performances for the Good Grief Foundation, Gigi’s Playhouse and the Steps Together Organization.
H EA LT H S ERV ICES
HMS & Associates HEIDI MILLER, MS, CCC-SLP, COM Bergen / Essex heidimillerspeech.com / callspots.com
What inspired you to start your business? A true passion for what I was doing and the belief I could make a difference in the lives of children as a therapist. My private speech clinic came first and the other companies followed. I have three businesses in total: HMS & Associates, HMS Feeding, and Callspots. What do you love most about what you do? Giving children the power to communicate and the challenge of helping children who are fearful of eating overcome that and celebrate the joy of eating. What are your business best known for? HMS & Associates helps children and teens with feeding problems, childhood apraxia of speech, and treating everything speech and language related. HMS Feeding educates other speech therapists and occupational therapists on how to treat picky eaters and children with ARFID. Callspots is a new product. It’s a programmable sticker that can be scanned by mobile phones to instantly call a parent, emergency contact, or the owner of a valued possession. What’s next for each of your businesses? HMS clinic continues to grow! So many children reach their potential and learn to talk and eat one session at a time. HMS Feeding recently got ASHA CEU’s which means clinicians can earn credit for taking the course. As for Callspots, that is in its infancy and is such an extraordinary product.
MAY 2022 | NEW JERSEY FAMILY
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[WOMEN IN BUSINESS] COMPANY SHOWCASE L EGA L SERV ICES
Jacobs Berger, LLC JAMIE N. BERGER, ESQ. SARAH J. JACOBS, ESQ. Morristown jacobsberger.com What inspired you to start your firm? We founded Jacobs Berger with the goal of putting families first and making the divorce process less stressful by creating partnerships with our clients. JB focuses on interim and long-term goals and solutions for both to preserve family relationships and maintain stability. What do you love most about what you do? Family law can be emotionally charged, but it’s not without happy and gratifying moments. We appreciate getting to know our clients as people and helping them find their peace with the future. What is your firm best known for? De-stressing the divorce process! Seriously, for our practical, on the ground approach. We make it accessible and relatable, and we care about the outcome and the future lives of our clients and families. What do you wish everyone knew about running your own firm? It’s like having another child! It isn’t always rainbows and sunshine, but it’s extremely rewarding to watch something you have put your love and dedication into grow. H ow do you juggle family and work demands? This is a balancing act for every working parent, especially with home offices or hybrid schedules. We wouldn’t be able to juggle effectively without supportive families, staff and business partners, and meticulous calendar management (and badass women managing us as we manage all of it).
BEAUTY
Lure Lash ANNA ABRAHAM, CO-FOUNDER & COO CARMELA MARTINEZ, CO-FOUNDER & CEO Cranford/Madison/Metuchen/Montclair/Somerville lurelash. com / lurelashpro.com What inspired you to start your business? We started our business with a goal to celebrate and enhance the natural beauty of our client’s eyes. What sets your business and brand apart? Lash extensions are not one size fits all. We are focused on the customization of our client’s lash design, and we make sure that the lash style is tailored to their vision of beauty. What is your business best known for? Eyelash extensions! We have won Best of Suburban Essex Gold, Montclair Girl Reader’s Choice, and Morris and Essex Health Reader’s Choice. H ow do you juggle family and work demands? We make sure we allocate one scheduled day a week where we are off the radar to regroup and spend time with family. What’s next for you and your business? Our newest endeavor is training other inspiring lash artists and entrepreneurs all about the lash industry. We also created Lure Lash Pro, a line of lash products for professional stylists. H ow is your business involved in your local community? Philanthropically, Anna and I created an organization called Asian Women Leaders. It’s a platform where we highlight Asian women who are leaders in their industry. What else would you like New Jersey families to know about you? We live by the mantra: Eyelash extensions is what we do but making you feel Fabulash is why we do it!
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NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
[WOMEN IN BUSINESS] COMPANY SHOWCASE T RAV EL
Magic Family Getaways, LLC KIMBERLY ANWAR, CEO magicfamilygetaways.com Instagram: @magicfamilygetaways What is your business known for? Curating family travel experiences that are memorable! How has your business evolved? The agency grew from myself in 2015, to a team of 29 travel advisors based around the US. We are growing fast and always looking for new talent! What sets you apart? We listen to our clients wants and needs for their vacation first. We train on the destination they are going to, make sure they understand the technology and travel requirements and, most importantly, we serve as an advocate for their vacation. What are your proudest moments as a business owner? Seeing my team together and winning sales awards from Disney Destinations. When did you know your business was nailing it? When clients refer us after a vacation. These referrals are the heart and soul of our business. It demonstrates we did an excellent job and provided a memorable vacation. What should everyone know about running a business? Small business owners wear many hats! It takes dedication, work, time and ambition to grow a business from scratch. What else would you like NJ families to know about you? Our advisors provide added value to a vacation experience, all at no cost when you book with Magic Family Getaways. We are sophisticated advisors trained well in the destinations we book. We help ease the stress of travel planning and love what we do!
H EA LT H
Performance Pediatrics DAVINA DAURA, MOT, MS, OTR/L Lafayette, Totowa PerformancePediatricsNJ.com Instagram: @performancepediatricsnj What sets your practice apart? We are a community-based state-of-the-art sensory clinic known for working with children and families with special needs, alternative learning styles and challenges. Our vision is attaining optimal physical, occupational and social health and well-being in order to bring inspiration and independence to all infants, children, adolescents and young adults. How has your practice evolved? I’m celebrating 10 years and it has been the most rewarding experience despite the hurdles, downfalls, the pandemic, etc. I enjoy the engagement, the relationship, the connectivity I have with my community and the families and children that I work with day in and day out. This is not a job when it’s my passion. The balance of juggling it all as a mom of three and my work family and treatments makes it all worthwhile. What do you love most about what you do? Being a pediatric entrepreneur is challenging. Every success no matter how big or small is one worth celebrating! Being kind, patient, and supporting small business like myself is what keeps us going. Performance Pediatrics’ goal is to continue to provide quality evidence-based, innovative interventions so that we can continue to support our existing community near both practice locations. #Lovewhatyoudo#Dowhatyoulove
MAY 2022 | NEW JERSEY FAMILY
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[WOMEN IN BUSINESS] COMPANY SHOWCASE H E ALTH
A Work of Heart Counseling KARA KUSHNIR, MSW, LCSW, PMH-C aworkofheartcounseling.com Instagram: @aworkofheart_counseling
HEA LTH & WE LLN E S S
Foot and Ankle Premier Specialists JULIANA PATERNINA, DPM, FACFAS footandankleps.com @footankleps / @drjuliana
DENTAL S E RVIC E S
Gersch Orthodontics Cranford Orthodontics ILONA P. ROSSIGNOL, DMD Cranford / Linden / Westfield gerschortho.com / cranfordortho.com
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What inspired you to start your business? I loved the flexibility and creativity being a therapist offered me and my growing family, and wanted to create a place that provided support to children, teens and families in a way that fostered my philosophy on therapy. It’s hard work because its heart work—it matters. The work we do changes lives, and we provide care with empathy always at the forefront. What do you love most about what you do? Seeing people grow and become the best versions of themselves! What are you/your business best known for? We are a New Jersey’s Favorite Kids’ Doc and also do incredible work in maternal mental health and parenthood. How has your business evolved since you started it? I used to run my business part-time but when the pandemic hit I was pregnant, and I left my full-time job working as a school social worker and pursued A Work of Heart full time! We’ve doubled in size since. How is your business involved in your local community? We provided over 50 pro-bono therapy sessions during the pandemic to those on the front lines in our community.
What inspired you to start your business? I’m passionate about providing excellent care to my patients and want them to feel at home; not just like another number. My personalized, holistic approach to care differentiates my practice from other practices. How do you juggle being a business owner with family demands? I try to dedicate family time with my daughter and husband whenever I can. When I’m here in the office, I focus on the business. It’s not about the quantity of time but the quality time I spend with my family that matters the most. What’s the one thing you wish everyone knew about running your own business? It’s not easy running your own business and it takes a village to have a successful practice. Dedication along with a strong support system with mentors to guide you towards your goal are so important. What else would you like NJ families to know about you? My practice is here to serve them. We’re here to provide the best, personalized care for their foot and ankle conditions. We offer the quality service that they deserve and are here to assist with anything that they need.
What do you love most about being an Orthodontist? I love making people smile! It’s so rewarding to see the smiles on my patients’ faces at the end of their treatment—whether it’s a young child who no longer feels self-conscious, or an adult who has gained a renewed sense of self-confidence. What sets your practice apart? We offer digital impressions and digital imaging, and we’re nationally recognized as the Top 1% Invisalign provider for children, teens and adults. Our unparalleled level of expertise means our patients have a first-rate treatment experience and a superb outcome. How is your practice involved in the local community? We value the support and trust of our patient community and show our appreciation by donating to local youth sports teams, fundraisers, and community organized relief efforts. We also love hosting local events such as ice cream socials and movie nights. How do you juggle family and work demands? As a Westfield mom, it is reassuring to know that I am never too far away from my kids when I’m at the office. I also have a strong support system of family and friends.
NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
[WOMEN IN BUSINESS] COMPANY SHOWCASE DENTAL S E RVIC E S
Kids Smile DAWN M. FORBES, DDS kidssmilenj.com
GRAPHIC DESIGN, ART & ILLUSTRATION
Leezaworks, LLC LEEZA HERNANDEZ leezaworks.com • etsy.com/shop/leezaworks instagram @leezaworks
H E ALTH
Psychological & Edu. Consulting, LLC LIZ MATHEIS, PH.D Livingston psychedconsult.com
MAY 2022 | NEW JERSEY FAMILY
What inspired you to start your own business? Dental visits aren’t usually a priority for some families. I started a family-friendly practice to help view dental visits as a routine activity, by welcoming families in a warm, caring, comfortable and professional environment. What’s your most memorable experience with a client? When a parent said this was her daughter’s fourth dental office and she didn’t think I’d be able to get X-rays or do treatment. We proved her wrong. At the end of her visit, her child remarked, “I like this dentist.” After 11 years, she’s still my patient, along with her siblings. How are you involved in your local community? One of our biggest annual events is giving back with Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) where we donate dental services to underserved children. We sponsor individuals (students and athletes), communities, schools, sports and PTA events, as well as school visits teaching children about dental health. I’ve mentored students who have shadowed me, interned and now attend or graduated dental school. I volunteer with the South Brunswick Commission on Women to inform and motivate female students in dental careers.
W hat is is your your business businessbest bestknown knownfor? for? What My children’s books booksand andcat catart— Myillustration illustration work—mostly work—mostly children’s art—as well my large-scale abstract paintings. as well as myas large-scale abstract paintings. W hat do do you you love love most mostabout aboutwhat whatyou youdo? do? What Connecting One of of the the most mostgratifying gratifyingparts partsof Connectingwith with people. people. One of what is receiving a personal message saying what I doI do is receiving a personal message saying howhow my my work made an impact or simply someone work made an impact or simply mademade someone smile.smile. Whatwas wasthe thehardest hardestthing thingabout aboutgetting gettingthe thebusiness businessoff What off the ground? the ground? Time balance.Working Workingmy side Timemanagement management and and work/life work/life balance. my sidearound hustleaaround a full-time job and spending hustle full-time job and spending quality time with quality timemeant with my family a bigschedule. shift in my dailytime my family a big shift meant in my daily It took schedule. It atook timethat but Iworks foundwith a formula that works but I found formula little-to-no stress. with little-to-no stress.invested in your community? How’s your business H ow’s with yourabusiness invested in your community? I work not-for-profit organization visiting innercity Asecondpercentage of proceeds of sold inNYC my Etsy and third-graders inproducts New Jersey and helping shop donatedoftothe animal rescue of shelters. raise are awareness importance early literacy and W hat’s next forPlus, you and your business? sharing stories. a percentage of proceeds of art prints I’m working a collection of fabric soldcurrently in my Etsy shop isondonated to local animaldesigns shelters. and I illustrated children’s picture book that releases What’s next forayou and your business? inContinue November called Roxie Loves Adventure, written by to to grow my community newsletter and hoping Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen. a book about a spoiled little see my work on fabric andIt’s stationary in the near future. pug who accidentally gets locked out of her house. So fun!
What inspired you to start your practice? My private practice started as a part-time gig, and it began to pick up without any real marketing efforts. When I was pregnant with my third child, I realized that work life balance was about to become impossible. That’s when I pursued fulltime private practice—July 2022 is my 10-year anniversary! How has your business evolved? I had a desk and a couch in my dining room. I wanted flexibility to be in my children’s lives so I hired a therapist to take over the evening appointments and rented an office space. I expanded from one to six therapists and an office manager! How do you juggle family and work demands? It’s a hustle! It’s a fluid process and it’s not easy but I don’t want to miss my kids’ phases either. What is your practice best known for? We support children, adolescents, young adults and their families with special needs. We specialize in anxiety, ADHD, autism, and learning disabilities. Our families are important to us and we value collaboration and communication to make a positive change in social, emotional, behavioral, academic and family life.
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[WOMEN IN BUSINESS] COMPANY SHOWCASE DENTAL S E RVIC E S
Singh and Smile Pediatric Dentistry ANUPREET SINGH, DMD singhandsmile.com Instagram @singhandsmiledental
HEA LTH S E RVICE S
The Therapy Gym DR. ELISHEVA FUCHS, PT, DPT Teaneck thetherapygym.com • Instagram: @thetherapygym
What inspired you to start your business? I decided to become a pediatric dentist after noticing a trend with my adult patients; the ones who were most fearful were the ones that had not-so-pleasant experiences when they were younger. I decided that I wanted to be a part of the solution. I wanted to provide my patients with the tools to develop great preventative habits at a young age so that way, their experience at the dentist could be as positive as possible. What is unique about your business? Our office is designed specifically with kids in mind. By combining our specialized pediatric dental training with a staff that loves working with kids, our practice is tailor-made for treating young smiles. When you choose a practice that specializes in pediatric dentistry such as ours, you’re ensuring that your child receives customized, ageappropriate care. What sets you apart? While we take the practice of dentistry very seriously, we don’t take ourselves too seriously. In fact, we love to have fun! We often sing to our patients and love to see them smile, hence Singh and Smile.
hat is your business best known for? W We have built a reputation for being the top provider for pediatric therapy services. People come to us because they know they will receive quality care by highly skilled therapists and be treated like a member of our family. What’s next for your business? We just expanded and moved to a beautiful new location. We have more space, have expanded our sensory gym and are building a beautiful indoor pool. We will be adding speech therapy in the water in addition to occupational and physical therapy. We will also have swim lessons, swim classes, and swim parties. What would you like NJ families to know about you? I started The Therapy Gym because I wanted to help children and felt the best way to do that was to be able to treat the whole child. I am able to work with a child’s medical doctors, teachers, and other treating therapists to help each child reach his or her full potential. That’s one of the things that sets us apart from others. We are involved in all aspects of a child’s treatment plan so each child is successful.
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NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
MAGIC
Makeover
We asked three NJ designers for pro tips and creative strategies to inspire your next reno project.
By Nayda Rondon
So-So to
SENSATIONAL DESIGNER | Jennifer Pacca, ASID, Jennifer Pacca Interiors, Wyckoff PHOTOGRAPHER | Vic Wahby
BEFORE
MAY 2022 | NEW JERSEY FAMILY
This project called for transforming a nondescript living room into a vibrant space that would fit the lifestyle needs and design sense of a young couple with two children. The Montvale homeowners wanted a sophisticated yet lively space that was functional and kid-friendly. Choosing everything from furniture to the architectural features, Pacca used a cream and black color palette. To evoke a sense of welcoming warmth, she added a gas fireplace as the room’s focal point. The built-ins on either side add symmetry, storage and a display space. A neutral custom window treatment gives the room an airy feel and a crisp, contemporary vibe. Pro Tip: Use a neutral palette for large pieces but don’t be afraid to liven things up with colorful pops of art, accessories and pillows. Just switch them out for a fresh take depending on the season or your whim.
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BEFORE
Small Room,
BIG PERSONALITY DESIGNER | Swati Goorha, Swati Goorha Designs, New Providence PHOTOGRAPHER | Wing Wong
As part of a show-house challenge, Goorha was tasked with tackling a butler’s pantry in a century-old property in Plainfield. Envisioning how a family might use the 15-by-8-foot space for entertaining, she converted it into a bar. With an intoxicating mix of colors and sumptuous elements, she raised the design bar—including using the ceiling as the “fifth wall” of the space—through strategic wallpaper placement, custom millwork and artful lighting. The art deco antique bar unit and chandelier, classic black and white marble floors and subtle details (like ceiling moldings painted in the same brown as the bar counter) add to the space’s cohesiveness. Downlights illuminate the sophisticated polish of the custom glass and metal floating shelves, the copper sink and stone countertop. The Missoni vinyl wallpaper, glowing with the soft sheen and luxurious look of embroidered fabric, adds another layer of dimension, resulting in an entertaining space that radiates glamour. Pro Tip: When it comes to design, think up! Leaving ceilings bare is a missed opportunity. Consider the space from all angles and possibilities, taking into account the ceiling’s role on the impact of the space.
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NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
Feature
Multi-Seasonal
BACKYARD RETREAT DESIGNER | Terri Fiori, ASID, Fiori Interior Design, Wyckoff PHOTOGRAPHER | Kevin Fiori
BEFORE
For their untouched, nearly one-acre backyard, these Wyckoff homeowners wanted a resort-like oasis that would transition with the seasons. Working with a landscaper, architect and contractor, Fiori designed a layout for the backyard incorporating her clients’ wish list. The plan centered around a gazebo that houses a kitchen equipped with appliances and cabinetry made from rust-resistant stainless steel. The gunite pool leaves plenty of space for the kids to play in the adjoining grassy area. A cabana provides year-round storage. Blue cushions and umbrellas unify the pool area with the dining and seating sections. Heat-resistant travertine pavers were chosen for the flooring by the patio and pool areas, while the steps, retaining wall and coping around the pool are bluestone for contrast and sturdiness. All outdoor furniture is teak, picked for its moisture resistance and year-round durability. A fireplace and comfortable seating area were designed to extend the warmth—and fun—well into chilly fall nights. Pro Tip: Make a wish list of everything you want. When you meet with tradespeople, ask for their feedback to help you finalize what’ll work best for your family’s needs and wants. —Nayda Rondon is a mother, writer and lifelong learner and lover of people.
MAY 2022 | NEW JERSEY FAMILY
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Ranked among the world’s best specialized children’s hospitals.
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Everything new, sleep-deprived parents need for their journey
Health
More Than a Gesture How pointing and waving can help predict your baby’s future communication skills
When your baby points at something,
it’s a big step in their progress toward language. While numerous studies have shown that babies use their hands to communicate before they’re able to speak, a recent study by the University of Calgary showed that a baby’s gestures at 1 year predict stronger communication skills later on. In the study of almost 2,000 kids and parents, researchers looked at gestures and symbolic actions, such as “feeding” a stuffed animal with a bottle. Greater use of both gestures and actions predicted increased vocabulary by age 2 and better communication skills by age 5. It’s not known exactly how gestures might improve
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communication skills, but researchers theorize that a child’s gestures increase a parent’s responsiveness (which other research has found is linked to the development of stronger language skills). Parents also may explain the gestures back to the child. That is, if a toddler is pretending to drive a car or put a stuffed animal to bed, the parent may say “Are you driving?” or “Are you putting the baby to bed?” which further reinforces action words and nouns. Researchers say understanding the connection between gestures and language may help us foster kids’ communication skills and better prepare them for the social and academic demands of formal schooling.
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By Arricca Elin SanSone
NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
Comprehensive maternity services with one focus...you.
That’s treating you better...for life. For expectant moms, Saint Peter’s University Hospital has the resources to support every delivery — no matter how simple or complex — from The Mary V. O’Shea Birth Center, New Jersey’s first and only hospitalowned midwifery-led birth center in the state to be accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers, to its state-designated Regional Perinatal Center and nationally recognized Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Known for our experienced staff and specialized programs, Saint Peter’s delivers more babies than most facilities in the region, making us a premier hospital for maternity services.
To learn more about Maternity Services at Saint Peter’s, call 732.745.8600 or visit saintpetershcs.com/maternity
Treating you better...for life. Sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen Saint Peter’s University Hospital is certified in Perinatal Care by The Joint Commission
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Me Time
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Stuff We Love
Baby NIGHT NIGHT,
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Smart finds to give your little one a restful night’s sleep
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5 1. SO SERENE Apply a couple of drops of this oil after bath time to hydrate baby and mama’s skin with soothing herbs and flowers. Organic Mama & Baby Oil, Mojave Desert Skin Shield. $82, mojavedesertskinshield.com 2. GLOW UP This soft light helps lull your little one to sleep. Baby Night Light, VAVA. $23.99, vava.com 3. MAMA’S TOUCH Perfect for babes up to 6 months, this womb-like pod comes with a gently weighted cuddle pad flap across the chest that’s designed to calm like a parent’s embrace. Zen Neo, Nested Bean. $49.99/two-pack, nestedbean.com 4. SUPER SNUG Handpainted, lightweight swaddles help baby feel safe and secure. Cotton Muslin Swaddle Blanket Set in Tropical Fruit, Little Unicorn. $45, littleunicorn.com 5. CONNECTED CRADLE This bassinet calms baby with motion, light and music. It also has an app that connects to Alexa or Google Home via Wi-Fi. Evi Smart Bassinet, TruBliss. $399.99, trublissbaby.com
MAY 2022 | NEW JERSEY FAMILY
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Neonatologists Deliver Special Care for Babies
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Thomas Murphy, MD, Atlantic Health System
hen you’re expecting, your obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) will care for you and your baby from conception through delivery. Neonatologists provide care for certain babies as soon as they’re born. “We’re trained in both pediatrics and neonatology, a specialty that cares for infants born prematurely and those born with critical illness,” says board-certified neonatologist Thomas Murphy, MD, with Atlantic Health System. Some preemies have difficulty breathing at birth. Neonatologists will care for them until they’re breathing well on their own. They also help preemies who face issues with low blood sugar, temperature instability, and feeding difficulty.
Who Needs a Neonatologist?
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While any baby born before 37 weeks of pregnancy is considered premature, not all preemies need neonatology care. “We base the need for a neonatologist on each baby’s unique health condition and we have important conversations with families about why specialized neonatology care is necessary,” Dr. Murphy says. If you know you’ll deliver early, a neonatologist will meet with you in the hospital before you give birth. “These conversations help reassure families that we’ll do everything we can to help their baby thrive,” Dr. Murphy says. During pregnancy, specialists use tests like ultrasounds and echocardiograms to diagnose potential infant health problems while babies are still in the womb. Then, neonatologists and other pediatric specialists manage those conditions after delivery. Sometimes, issues
aren’t detected before delivery and only become apparent after birth. Neonatologists are there to help address those issues as well. While neonatologists perform procedures like central line, breathing tube and chest tube placement, they don’t perform surgery. “Instead, we work with pediatric surgeons at Atlantic Health System who are skilled in the most advanced procedures,” Dr. Murphy says.
An Expert Team Offering Specialized Care
Whether your infant needs care at the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) at Goryeb Children’s Hospital or Overlook Medical Center; the Special Care Nursery at Chilton Medical Center; or the Intermediate Care Nursery at Newton Medical Center, you’ll have access to the same neonatology team. That team includes neonatologists, advanced neonatal nurse practitioners, physician assistants, highly experienced neonatal nurses, respiratory and physical therapists, feeding specialists/ speech-language pathologists, social workers, case managers and lactation consultants. “If your baby needs neonatology care, expect to have regular conversations with us,” Dr. Murphy says. “We’ll explain what is happening and why. We’ll contact you immediately if your baby has any sudden changes in his or her health condition.” The most common question neonatologists get asked: “When will my baby go home?” The answer: “That’s really up to each individual baby. We’ll work with you at each step of your journey to ensure your baby has a safe and smooth transition from hospital to home,” Dr. Murphy says.
MORRISTOWN MEDICAL CENTER | OVERLOOK MEDICAL CENTER | CHILTON MEDICAL CENTER | NEWTON MEDICAL CENTER FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT ATLANTICHEALTH.ORG/MATERNITY
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NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
Health
CHOOSING A
How to find the right fit for your family By Arricca Elin SanSone ainting the nursery and buying sweet outfits for your baby is so much fun. But far more important? Choosing the right pediatrician. Here’s what to consider when looking for your child’s doctor for years to come:
DO SOME HOMEWORK Picking a doctor from your insurance company’s list isn’t your only—or necessarily your best—option. “Word of mouth is often the easiest way to find a doctor, but there are other ways, especially if you’re new in town,” says Theresa Giannattasio, DO, FAAP, lead physician, Atlantic Medical Group Pediatrics at Florham Park. “Hospitals, school nurses and real estate agents often have resources and referrals you can research further.” Asking your OB/GYN or another doctor you like is also a great way to find pediatricians that may mesh well with your personality.
CHECK THE DOCTOR’S CERTIFICATIONS
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The American Academy of Pediatrics website (healthychildren.org) lists board-certified pediatricians indicated by the acronym FAAP (Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics) after the doctors’ names. This designation means your pediatrician has earned the highest level of certification in this specialty.
SCHEDULE A PRENATAL VISIT “A prenatal visit gives you the opportunity to meet the doctor ahead of time and see if he or she is a good fit for your family,” says Megan Williamson, MD, FAAP, pediatrician with Cooper University Health Care and assistant professor of pediatrics at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. “As a new mom myself, I understand how stressful a time it can be. You’re trusting this person with your child. It’s so
MAY 2022 | NEW JERSEY FAMILY
important that the parent and pediatrician are on the same wavelength to form a partnership.”
ASK HOW CALLS ARE HANDLED If your child isn’t feeling well or you have a question (and you’ll have about a million of them the first few months!), will the doctor handle calls or will they be relayed through the nurse? Are same-day sick visits available? Is there a way to get in touch with your doctor to ask a non-urgent question? In a large practice, you may see one provider for scheduled visits and another for last-minute sick calls, says Giannattasio. Ask if telehealth visits are possible when your child may not need to be seen in person, such as for a rash or follow-up.
CONSIDER LOGISTICS It’s important to think about location and the distance you’ll travel to the office, says Giannattasio. How many doctors are in the practice? What are after-hours services like? Are there Saturday hours? What COVID protocols are still in place?
PAY ATTENTION TO THE FRONT DESK “From the moment you walk in, you should feel comfortable and treated respectfully,” says Williamson. “It should be a welcoming environment from the point of first contact so that you can ask anything. Your pediatrician’s entire office should be a safe space that supports the whole family, a place where you can bring any concerns.” If you’re not at ease for any reason, trust your instincts and keep looking. Choosing a pediatrician is somewhat intuitive, so you’ll know pretty quickly if your personalities, communication styles and perspectives click. —Arricca Elin SanSone is a New York-based health and lifestyle writer.
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31 Valley Rd., 2nd Fl., Montclair, NJ 07042 • (973) 771-5387 • www.MontclairPediatricDental.com 56
NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
Health
Tiny Teeth
How to care for baby’s teeth and gums
©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM / FLY VIEW PRODUCTIONS
Waiting to take your infant
to the dentist until he’s got a full set of baby teeth? Don’t. Both the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) suggest seeing a pediatric dentist when the first tooth emerges (usually 6 months to 1 year old), and no later than his first birthday. Going early also lets your little one get comfortable with the idea of regular checkups. The more familiar he is with the dentist, the less scary it’ll be. If you have a toddler who hasn’t gone to the dentist yet, the AAPD says you should schedule a “get acquainted” visit before their first appointment to get them used to the office. Baby teeth might not seem so important, but according to the AAPD, these primary teeth help children speak clearly, chew naturally and form a path for permanent teeth to follow.
MAY 2022 | NEW JERSEY FAMILY
By Angel Madison
To care for their teeth, brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush (one designed for infants) and make sure to get your baby in the habit of brushing twice a day with a ricesized amount of fluoride toothpaste, says the ADA. Before their teeth come in, wipe their gums with a moist gauze pad or washcloth to keep them clean. Here are tips from the ADA to prep for baby’s first visit: B rush his teeth before visits, or save snacks for after the exam. S tay calm—if baby sees you nervous or freaking out, he’ll follow suit. A sk about issues with teething, thumb-sucking or pacifiers. D on’t schedule your visit during nap time! Go when your baby is most likely to be rested and calm.
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Baby
LOVE
THE TIMELESS DESIGN OF THESE NURSERIES ENDURES BEYOND THE NEWBORN DAYS
Going with dark walls in a baby’s room is a little bit bold, so I wanted all the supporting elements to add some serenity, creating a little enchantment everywhere you look. From the floral, hand-drawn wallpaper print to the plush velvet drapes, each of these was chosen to balance the soft side of going darker.
One of my favorite ways to style a space is with books. These classic stories with artistic covers were a perfect fit for the room’s aesthetic and for story time. And those adorable bookends are my favorite!
Bold
IN RIDGEWOOD DESIGNER | Tiffany Piñero PHOTOGRAPHER | Lauren Anzevino
I had finished designing and decorating my client Justine’s entire home at the end of 2020. It was such an exciting process that her sentiments when things wrapped up were, “Well, I guess we won’t get to do this again until I buy another house or have a second baby.” Well, the latter happened! Having previously done Justine and Dan’s first child’s nursery that flowed really well into her now big-girl room, I already knew their preferences. They wanted this room to feel similar, but also have its own distinct energy from the first child’s room that was dreamy, feminine and classic. This nursery channels those key elements, but brings a bit of drama with the darker paint color and drapery. The goal of this room was to design it for the long haul with minimal changes needing to be made once the baby reaches toddlerhood, school age and beyond. With a removable changing table and a convertible crib, this space can stay the same for many years to come with little fuss. Pro Tip: No matter how big or small your space is, you can do so much with paint and affordable art. If you’re working with a tight budget, spend on necessities—like a good mattress and glider—and the rest can be done on a dime.
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My client didn’t want a ton of furniture, so choosing a dresser that had substantial storage was at the top of the list. This one was perfect, but the knobs were the wrong finish. Luckily, that’s such an easy thing to swap, so I got to create something that was exactly my client’s taste.
NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
Raising Smarties
The smaller-scale cribs and beds will grow with the babies. Their oval shape allows for a smaller footprint. Their four-in-one crib conversion kits accommodate four stages from newborn to 10 years old.
Playful
The space has so many special elements—birds on the Roman shades, bees on the bench, bunnies on the wall, the funky ceiling and the neon signs.
IN MAPLEWOOD DESIGNER | Swati Goorha PHOTOGRAPHER | Mike Van Tassel
Our clients—a young couple that recently moved into a small, charming Victorian home—brought us onto the project when they found out about their pregnancy. They were expecting twins, and the room they wanted to convert into the nursery felt too small and tight to accommodate two cribs, changing tables and all the storage required for the babies. We had to get creative to maximize the use of this small space. We wanted to design a playful, imaginative and unexpected nursery. Initially, we didn’t know the children’s genders. Our clients showed us art they had purchased during their dating period that they had envisioned would someday hang in their children’s room. We took inspiration for the room’s color and vibe from this art, which now hangs in the nursery. We kept the design gender-neutral and lively. Later, when we found out the twins’ genders, we added the peach molding detail and the neon signs with the girls’ names above their cribs. The result: a room that is energetic and a great representation of our clients and their beautiful girls. Pro Tip: We kept the overall patterns and motifs playful but transitional, so the room will adapt as the kids get older.
MAY 2022 | NEW JERSEY FAMILY
The custom built-in we designed for this space was once a hard-to-access closet. We removed the closet door and created a nook with custom millwork and beautiful details, which now serves as a changing table, dresser and storage all in one.
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Health
Sleep Tips to help your baby sleep through the night
aturally, you expected lots of sleepless nights after your baby was born. But now that your bundle of joy has arrived, you may be surprised by how little sleep you actually get. “I tell parents that it’s about survival for the first 6 to 8 weeks,” says Christian Canzoniero, MD, of Wellness Pediatrics in Sparta and on staff at Atlantic Health System’s Goryeb Children’s Hospital and Newton Medical Center. “I often hear that baby has his or her days and nights confused. That’s because babies are neurologically immature, and there’s so much stimulation they’re trying to process. During the day, with all the lights and noise, they tune out the excess. But with the silence at night, now all of a sudden baby is wide awake.” Here’s how to help your baby (and you) get through the night:
massaging him, making sure he has a good feed, singing a lullaby, playing soothing music or rocking baby to sleep. Place your child in the crib when he’s drowsy, not asleep. This teaches your baby to fall asleep on his own.
LET YOUR BABY LEAD “While newborns may sleep for 16 or 17 hours or more a day, it’s in increments of an hour or two at a time,” says Shruti Banugaria, MD, attending pediatrician and assistant professor of pediatrics at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. “Babies don’t have regular sleep cycles until they’re about 6 months old, so sleep when your baby is sleeping. It won’t be continuous sleep but it will help you feel more rested.” Every baby is different but by 4 to 6 months, your baby will probably be able to sleep for longer stretches of time—four, five or six hours.
ACCEPT HELP Even if you’re breastfeeding, ask for help from your support system so you can get a break occasionally. Pump your breast milk and have your partner or other family members take turns with nighttime feedings, says Banugaria.
DAYTIME IS PLAYTIME If your baby sleeps during the day, she’ll be awake at night. Throughout the day, make sure your child is exposed to bright light and talk and play with your baby to help her stay awake for longer periods of time. This will help her sleep longer during the night, says Canzoniero. CREATE A BEDTIME ROUTINE Comforting nighttime rituals, which can continue into the toddler years, can help ease your child into sleep because he learns what to expect, says Banugaria. Try things such as giving him a bath,
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RUN DOWN YOUR MIDDLE-OF-THE-NIGHT CHECKLIST Babies sleep when they’re content and full. When your baby wakes up in the wee hours, ask yourself: Is your baby hungry? Does your baby need to be changed or burped? Is your baby too hot or cold? Does she need soothing? “You cannot spoil them in those first two months, and sometimes they just need you for reassurance because they cannot self-soothe,” says Canzoniero. But don’t turn on the light or play with your baby, since that will stimulate him. In time, you’ll also learn your baby’s cries, so you’ll know what he or she needs.
GIVE YOURSELF A TIMEOUT The truth is that some babies fuss and cannot calm down at times. “It’s okay to walk away for five minutes,” says Canzoniero, as long as it’s clear that baby is not in distress. “Your baby isn’t going to be scarred for life. Sometimes you need to take a break, too.” KNOW WHEN TO CALL YOUR PEDIATRICIAN If your baby is not eating or not wetting diapers, these are signs that there may be a problem, such as a digestive issue that needs to be checked out. But if your baby is eating, peeing and pooping regularly, they can cry a bit and are likely just fine. However, if you’re concerned about your baby’s sleep, for whatever reason, trust your gut and call your pediatrician. “It’s never wrong to call for peace of mind,” says Canzoniero. “We’ve been through this thousands of times, and we’re here to partner with and empower parents.”
©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM / PROSTOCK-STUDIO
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By Arricca Elin SanSone
NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
“ Babies don’t have regular sleep cycles until they’re about six months old...”
MAY 2022 | NEW JERSEY FAMILY
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MAY
Festival season is here, and it’s a great time to head to the Shore ahead of summer crowds.
May 7
ECO Fair
May 1
Hoboken Spring Arts and Music Festival
This long-running fair takes over Washington Street, also known as Hoboken’s main drag, and fills it with food, artists, crafters and live music. Go to hobokennj.gov for details.
May 7
Secaucus Green Festival
This annual fest celebrates planet earth with eco-friendly products, food, vendors and activities. Admission is free. Go to green. secaucusnj.gov for more info.
May 7
Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival
Skylands Stadium in Augusta is hosting its annual festival, which features more than 100 craft beers and 20 food trucks, along with music, games and activities for the kids. There’s plenty of space to spread out on the Miners’ home field. Visit skylandsstadium.com for more info.
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May 8
The Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience
Love your canine companions? Head to the Wilkins Theatre at Kean University in Union to see what these well-trained pups can do. With big air stunts, athletic feats and comedy, the dogs (and their trainers) are sure to impress. Go to keanstage.com for tickets.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: NJPAC / ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM: SELECTSTOCK / ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM: MESQUITAFMS
This free family event is inspired by nature and artful living. WheatonArts in Millville will host its Awakening of Mother Earth festival with art activities for the kids, a plant sale and more. Visit wheatonarts.org for details.
NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
Don’t forge t! For more events near you or to add your own, go to
njfamily.com/calendar All events are subject to cancellation, so call ahead before heading out.
May 12 / 14
Star Wars: A New Hope In Concert
Introduce the kids to symphony orchestra music with a trip to see the original Star Wars film accompanied by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. Catch it at NJPAC in Newark on the 12th or at the State Theatre in New Brunswick on the 14th. Go to njpac.org or stnj.org for more. May 15
Laurie Berkner Band Live!
Kid music queen Laurie Berkner and her band will be hitting the stage at Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown for a rollicking good time as they perform hits like “We Are the Dinosaurs.” Go to mpac.org for tickets.
May 18-21
May 21 / 22
This four-day fair in New Providence will have rides for all ages, raffles, craft tables and lots of food, including tasty staples like cheesesteaks and sausage and peppers. Visit olpnp. com for more information.
Historic Smithville in Galloway will host the premiere of Riddlesbrood’s Alice in Wonderland, a musical adaptation of the Lewis Carroll classic. The show will play outdoors on the main stage as part of the two-day Fantasy Adventure Fest, which boasts kids’ tea parties, art, collectibles and more. Head to historicsmithville.com for reservations.
CLOCKWISE FROM RIGHT: LAURIE BERKNER / ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM: IRINA VELICHKINA / TOUR OF SOMERVILLE
Our Lady of Peace Country Fair
Alice in Wonderland
May 30
Tour of Somerville
The annual bike race was cancelled the last two years due to COVID and Hurricane Ida, but the long-standing event makes a comeback this year. Watch some of the most elite riders in the country compete in the race at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. Go to tourofsomerville.org for details.
MAY 2022 | NEW JERSEY FAMILY
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MAY Planner
Beach weather is not yet upon us, but festivals are—and they’re a great reason to visit the shore before big summer crowds take over. Cape May is home to the Coast Guard Community Festival on May 7. Visitors will get to take ship and trolley tours and meet with the crew of a Coast Guard helicopter. There’s also food, a beer garden, live demos and music all day long. Visit capemay.com for details. Belmar hosts its annual New Jersey Seafood Festival on the weekend of May 20-22. Admission is free, and you can check out musical entertainment (including an Elvis Presley Tribute band), shop goods made by local artisans and grab a fresh seafood lunch. Leave the kids with a sitter and head to Atlantic City to kick things up a notch! On May 21st, the Chili Knockout & Spicy Food Festival will feature some of the spiciest foods in the state. Go to chiliknockout.com for details. Head further south for Memorial Day weekend’s most colorful celebration. The Wildwoods International Kite Festival takes place May 27-30 and the skies will be filled with unique kites, inflatables and team flyers. Visit wildwoodsnj.com for more info.
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©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM / ANEESE
Beachside Fests
NJFAMILY.COM | MAY 2022
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