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"Unexpressed feeling never die. They are buried alive and come back later in ugly ways." (Stephen Covey)

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.

Hurt people hurt people.

It's more effective to reward your child for being "good" (appropriate) than to punish him for being "bad" (inappropriate).

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

A tantruming toddler is a little ball of writhing muscle and incredible strength. It's like trying to carry a greased pig past a slop bucket.

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

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

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.

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

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ADHD Medication

    It is an understandable reaction for parents when a doctor prescribes  ADHD medications. There are so many questions and the doctor has so little time to answer them. Is the medication safe? How will we know if it is working? Are there side effects? Will my child feel like a zombie? In the next few blogs, I will attempt to shed some light on these questions  

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Biochemical Approach to Treating ADD/ADHD

One of the treatment approaches to helping a child with ADD/ADHD is biochemical or pills. The medical community by in large endorses the theory that ADD/ADHD is caused by an imbalance of the neurotransmitters in the brain. The treatment frequently recommended by doctors is to give the child a pill that will bring the neurotransmitters into balance. Some of the more commonly prescribed meds include Ritalin, Concerta, Strattera (there are a number of others). Doctors […]

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“DOOM” by Lori – age 15

DOOM                                       by Lori – age 15                                     The only visible light                                               Into darkness                                     The only relief is                                     Cut into my flesh                                     As deep as sadness                                     Pain passes away                                     But I will be left with the scars                                     From the past                                       I hear vividly the sounds                                     The screams.                                     I am but a bug                                     Invisible to life                                     Picked on when sought.                                     Pain is an […]

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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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+ 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

“I am no longer overwhelmed with a child who has unending discipline and behaviour problems.”

(P.S. – London)