Mountainside Parents Launch Balance Project Kickoff Sept. 2

When Genna Leebaw Clemente's daughter was in kindergarten, questions about phones and social media were already surfacing. "It struck me that we were worrying about issues that felt years away because we could already see them coming," Clemente said. That unease sparked a community movement to help families navigate the digital world together.

Union County Life covers Mountainside community programs, family resources, and civic initiatives across all 21 Union County municipalities.

A National Pledge Comes to Mountainside

Clemente discovered Wait Until 8th, a national pledge for families to hold off on smartphones until the end of eighth grade. No formal pledge had existed in Mountainside before. That realization led her to co-lead The Balance Project Mountainside alongside Marissa Merlo and Melissa Vogel, bringing the initiative to the community.

Merlo joined after noticing kids physically together but mentally elsewhere on playgrounds. "When you see children side by side, but their attention is somewhere else, it becomes clear that balance matters," her observations suggest.

Vogel, who started the Open Air Club in May, brings another dimension to the project. The Open Air Club provides unstructured outdoor time for kids with no adult-run activity. "It's not about adding another activity to an already busy schedule," Vogel said. "It's about creating space for kids to have less structure."

The Broader Movement

The Balance Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that grew from a handful of New Jersey parents into more than 285 chapters across 48 states in under two years. It now reaches over 10,000 families with children from birth through eighteen.

Merlo frames the group's philosophy plainly. "Balance really is the key word. Nobody in the group believes technology should disappear from kids' lives. They just think it shouldn't be the loudest thing in the room." She also points to the community dimension: "When a whole community moves together, no single kid has to be the odd one out for not having a phone, and no single parent has to be the 'mean' one for saying no."

Coming Together: Community Kickoff

The Balance Project Mountainside holds its official community kickoff on Wednesday, September 2, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Mountainside Elks Lodge, 1193 Route 22. The evening includes light bites, a cash bar, and a surprise guest bartender. This is an opportunity for families to connect with others who share similar values around digital wellness and to learn more about the initiative.

Registration closes August 28.

Looking Forward

Clemente has expressed hope for a partnership with the Mountainside School District to address how much of the school day runs through screens. "Most of us didn't grow up with conversations or tools around setting healthy technology boundaries, so we're learning as we go," she said.

For families interested in connecting with The Balance Project Mountainside, the group is on Instagram at @balanceproject_mountainside.

Find more Mountainside community programs and family resources on Union County Life.

FAQ

Q: What is The Balance Project Mountainside?
A: The Balance Project Mountainside is a local nonprofit helping families navigate digital wellness and establish healthy technology boundaries for children. It's part of a national movement with 285+ chapters across 48 states.

Q: What is the Wait Until 8th pledge?
A: Wait Until 8th is a national pledge for families to hold off on smartphones until the end of eighth grade, helping kids develop without constant digital distraction.

Q: Who started The Balance Project Mountainside?
A: Genna Leebaw Clemente, Marissa Merlo, and Melissa Vogel co-lead the initiative, which grew from concerns about digital wellness that Clemente noticed when her daughter was in kindergarten.

Q: What is the Open Air Club?
A: The Open Air Club, started by Melissa Vogel in May 2026, provides unstructured outdoor time for kids with no adult-run activities, creating space for less structured play.

Q: Does The Balance Project believe in eliminating all technology?
A: No. The group believes in balance, not elimination. The philosophy is that technology shouldn't be the loudest thing in a child's life, but it can play a role.

Q: How does The Balance Project help parents?
A: When a whole community adopts similar technology boundaries, no single child is the odd one out for not having a phone, and no single parent has to be labeled the "mean" one for saying no.

Q: When is the community kickoff?
A: The Balance Project Mountainside holds its official community kickoff on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Mountainside Elks Lodge, 1193 Route 22.

Q: What should I bring to the kickoff?
A: The event includes light bites and a cash bar. A surprise guest bartender will be on hand.

Q: How do I register for the kickoff?
A: Registration closes August 28, 2026. Contact information for registration is available through the group's Instagram: @balanceproject_mountainside.

Q: How many families does The Balance Project reach?
A: The nationwide program reaches over 10,000 families with children from birth through eighteen.