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The mistake that Sharon and I both made is we never set any boundaries.  (Ozzy Osbourne)

The teenage years require a delicate balance between the young person's need to gain independence, and the parent's need to retain authority.

"Rules without relationship leads to rebellion" (Josh McDowell)

Some hope their children will be like sponges soaking up the truth and wisdom imparted by their parents. However appealing this philosophy might be, it seldom seems to catch on with their children.

"Cutting" is a visible sign to the world that you are hurting.

Relationships matter:  change comes through forming trusting relationships. People, not programs change people.

If it  was going to be easy to raise kids, it never would have started with something called "labour".

We should not medicate the boys so they fit the school; we should change the school to fit the boy. (Leonard Sax, M.D. Ph.D)

Children mimic well. They catch what they see better than they follow what they hear.

Removing a child from a traumatic environment does not remove the trauma from the child's memory.

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Parenting Workshop

    I am frequently invited to speak to parents at school, conferences, children’s aid societies, church groups etc. and share ideas about parenting. My workshop entitled “A Parent’s Guide to the Teenage Brain” is a 3 hour training that outlines cutting edge research that explains what’s happening in a teenager’s head – and it is good news. The cost of this workshop is $200 + cost of handouts + travel. Phone (519) 485-4678 or […]

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Challenges Parents of Some Teens Face

    My previous  2 blog entries highlighted positive research finding by Canadian sociologist Reginald Bibby. Unfortunately not all teens fit his description. Below is a list of concerns that parents share with me: disrespectful attitude self absorbed lazy & careless about responsibilities negative attitude toward life and school emotionally withdrawn & distant picks friends who you disapprove angry outbursts for little reason lacks motivation for school neglects chores moody mean to siblings detaches from […]

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Research on Teens

    Reginald Bibby concludes from his research that I reported in my previous blog that: 1. The values deemed “most important” by adult Canadians are mirrored by a solid majority of young people. 2. Canadian teens tend to hold essentially the same views as canadian adkults about core values. 3. Teen outlook is remarkably similar to adults. 4. The idea that there is a wide generation gap between the majority of teens and their […]

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Workshops

+ Behaviour Management (now available online)

This full day or 2 evening workshop will introduce you […]

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+ Lick Your Kids

  “Lick Your Kids” (figuratively not literally) (2 hours) First […]

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+ A Parent’s Guide to the Teenage Brain

  A teenager’s brain is not just an adult brain […]

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+ Reading Rescue

A program for children with reading problems

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+ Taming a Toddler

Many parents wonder what hit them when their sweet little baby turns into an unreasonable toddler – ideas for dealing with mealtime, bedtime, temper tanturms, toilet training, noncompliance, etc.

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See more of our workshops


Contact

2720 Rath Street, Putnam, Ontario
NOL 2BO

Phone: (519) 485-4678
Fax: (519) 485-0281

Email: info@rickharper.ca

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Parents' Comments

“We are foster parents who took in a 13 year old girl (going on 18!) and she ran us through the wringer. Rick helped us learn how to set limits that made the difference.”

(G.E. – Strathroy)