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When a child is disregulated - is the time parents need to be regulated.

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.

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

Criticism is not a motivator.

It is what we say and do when we're angry that creates the very model our children will follow when dealing with their own frustrations.

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

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

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

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

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.

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Teen Issues # 3

  Every teenager rebels against authority at some point – talks back, breaks curfew or disobeys. It goes with the territory – it’s normal development. But many teens go beyond normal adolescent rebellion to engage in out-or-control or dangerous behaviour. If one of those teens is yours, you’ve probably lived through years of conflicting advice and pat solutions that haven’t led to lasting change. One source that I have found useful in assisting parents is […]

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Rewarding Behaviour

    Consistent, small rewards for small achievements work much better than large rewards for big goals, especially for younger children. After all, you wouldn’t expect your child to learn to read if you paid him no attention until he’d finished his first book. You would indicate your pleasure along the way.  Why set such a high expectation for behavioural self-control? Food and toys are often the first rewards that come to mind, but they […]

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Preventing Teen Suicide

FACTORS THAT FACILITATE SUICIDE                   – an impulsive personality                   – neurochemical imbalance                   – lack of strong family ties                   – social isolation                   – family history of suicide                   – recent suicide of someone else                   – easy access to method                   – agitated mental state         FACTORS THAT INHIBIT SUICIDE                    -strong family and social support                   – being around others                   – religious taboos against suicide                   – […]

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Depression & Discipline

CONFLICT AND DISCIPLINE   – conflict in a home with a teenager is inevitable – challenge for parents is to balance firmness with support and encouragement -parenting a depressed teen is particularly challenging                   – “walking on eggshells”                   – scared of pushing too far   TIPS 1. “Pause” button                                     – don’t get sucked into full-scale war                                     – exit & wait                                     – brain dead phrases                                     – reflectors 2. active listening 3. […]

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Suicide – Warning Signs

WARNING SIGNS   – depression – previous suicide attempts – suicide of someone close – talking of suicide – preoccupation with death – giving away possessions – saying “Good bye” to family & friends – cryptic statements “You won’t have to worry about me  anymore” – listening to sad music – drawing morbid pictures – statements indicating feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, worthlessness – statements about being a burden to others – loss of interest in […]

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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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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

“Implementing Rick’s techniques and adhering to them is exhausting, but it is a healthy exhaustion rather than the detrimental exhaustion I used to experience.”

(B.F. – Woodstock)