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

Criticism is not a motivator.

If you are headed in the wrong direction as a parent - you are allowed to make a U-turn.

The more 2 parents differ in their approaches to discipline, the more likely it leads to trouble for the child.

"Moody" and "unpredictable" are adjectives parents will often use when referring to their teenagers.

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

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

Don't wait for him to turn 10 before you reveal that you are not in fact the hired help whose job it is to clean up after him.

Parents are the external regulator for kids who cannot regulate themselves.

Hurt people hurt people.

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Sound Familiar ?

“Mom, Dad, Jason punched me!” “I did not! Patrick took my Game Boy, and I just put out my hand a little to get it back” “Mom, Jason’s lying!  I didn’t take his stupid Game Boy!” “Dad, Patrick’s kicking me! Tell him to stop it! Ow! Mom, Dad, Jason’s pulling my hair!” Sibling quibbling is one of the most often complaints I hear from parents. Sibling rivalry has existed as long as we’ve had siblings. […]

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Tactics for Tantrums (part 1)

My next several posts will offer ideas about handling toddler’s tantrums. They are based on the premise that some tantrum throwing will and should occur and that our job as parents is to make it as painless as possible for all participants. 1. The Ignore Tactic To use the ignore tactic the parent totally ignores the child’s dramatic performance. Look busy. Bustle around the house, sweeping, dusting or stacking magazines. Do not, however, try to […]

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Workshops

+ Behaviour Management (now available online)

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

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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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+ A Guided Tour of ADHD (now available online)

This workshop will present the facts, myths, misconceptions, controversy and […]

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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)