welcome image

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

Children do not develop on their own - they only develop within relationships.

Criticism is not a motivator.

Children today are under enormous pressures rarely experienced by their parents or grandparents. Many of today's children are being enticed to grow up too quickly and are encountering challenges for which they are totally unprepared.

Whining and crying are employed by kids for the purpose of getting something. If it works, then it was worth the effort and will be repeated.

Children fare better when expectations on them are clear and firm.

Many clinicians find it easier to tell parents their child has a brain-based disorder than suggest parenting changes. Jennifer Harris (psychiatrist)

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

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

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

Learn more.

Suicide Threats – Do’s & Don’ts

DO’S & DON’TS WITH A SUICIDE THREAT
DO:
                  1. stay calm
                  2. talk to him         – listen
                                                      – don’t try to “talk” him out of how he is feeling
                                                      – don’t try to cheer him up
                                                      – show concern
                                                      – reassure person you know how to get    help
                                                      – ascertain how well thought out the plans are (fleeting thoughts of suicide are
                                                                                       common – well thought out plans need to be taken seriously)
                  3. get mental health help
                  4. have someone with the young person at all times
                  5. remove dangerous items
 
 
DON’T:
                  1. assume the person is “just trying to get attention”
                  2. promise that you won’t tell anyone
                  3. tell the person how to feel
                  4. try to argue someone out of feeling suicidal
                  5. say “that’s dumb” or “snap out of it”
                  6. challenge the person to “go ahead and do it”
 
Attempts frequently occur after a conflict or stressful event
– these events do not cause an attempt
– they make teen more vulnerable
 
An attempt can be a “turning point”
(an opportunity for change)

Back to Top

Workshops

+ Behaviour Management (now available online)

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

Learn more

+ A Parent’s Guide to the Teenage Brain

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

Learn more

+ Reading Rescue

A program for children with reading problems

Learn more

+ A Guided Tour of ADHD (now available online)

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

Learn more

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

Archive


Parents' Comments

“We were so naive. We thought our son’s poor behaviour was just a phase he was passing through. Thankfully you led us ‘out of the wilderness'”

(N.S. – London)