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Adolescence can be the cruelest place on earth. It can really be heartless.  ( Tori Amos)

"The thing that impresses me most about North America is the way parents obey their children"    (King Edward VII , 1841-1910)

If you (parents) tend to overreact to your child's misbehaviour - your child learns that he can't trust you. Mom, Dad, stay regulated!

Simple rules adhered to when children are young can prevent more serious problems later.

Being a parent of a teenager can cure a person of narcissism.

Early intervention is always better than crisis management - but it is never too late to do the right thing.

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)

Criticism is not a motivator.

The quickest way to change your child’s behaviour is to first change your own.

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

Learn more.

A Note to Rob Ford’s Kids (and every other kid who has a parent fighting cancer)

 

Hi Stephanie & Doug

This past week you received some very alarming news about cancer and I just want to share with you some of the things that I learned about cancer when my family was hit with it a few years ago.

First, cancer is a word that sounds very scary. We hear so much about it and most of what we hear sounds like bad news. But let me tell you some good news. Doctors have been working very hard discovering new ways to beat cancer and every year more and more people are winning their battle. Your dad’s doctors have come up with a treatment plan and it is a good one. I heard the doctor on TV  say that he is optimistic about your dad’s treatment and that is very good news.

The not so good news is that your dad’s treatment will probably make him feel horrible for a while but that’s how the medicine is suppose to work. It will attack the cancer cells and kill them, but in the process your dad will probably feel pretty rough. You can help him through this by spending as much time with him as you can. Tell him things that are happening at school. Remind  him about the good family times like at the cottage and going to Canada’s Wonderland. Tell him that your teachers and friends  are all pulling for him.

Most kids have a lot of confusing feelings when their parent gets cancer. Feelings like: fear, sadness, anger, lonely. All these feelings are normal and it will help you if you talk to someone in your family about them. “Talking” to someone wise and who you trust about  your worries is one of the best ways to not become discouraged. Your mom will  probably have some of the same feelings you have and you can help each other as you travel this road together.

Your dad is a real scrapper and that is a very good thing when it comes to fighting cancer. Now I would suggest to you to go to him  and give him a big hug and kiss and tell him you love him. He really needs that right now and so do you.

Rick

 

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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

“Our daughter was the joy of our life until she turned 13, then all hell broke loose. Rick helped us understand what was happening to her and we made some adjustments that helped us get through it. She’s now in University and doing well.”

(D.A. – St. Thomas)