welcome image

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.

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

Parenting style matters - a lot!

Setting limits teaches your children valuable skills they will use the rest of their lives. One day, they will report to a job where their ability to follow rules will dictate their success.

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

If it  was going to be easy to raise kids, it never would have started with something called "labour".

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

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

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

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

Learn more.

Security Blankets

Many toddlers and preschoolers have a special blanket or stuffed toy that is very important to them. Researchers have found that these security items are appropriately named because they actually do provide a feeling of security for children. Approximately 60% of young children do have an attachment to a comforting blanket or toy. Children eventually outgrow their need for such items and parents should not force their child to give them up before they are […]

Read complete blog post

Mom’s Manifesto

This was taken from Kirk Martin’s newsletter (www.celebrate calm.com) and is worthy to pass on to parents who are being “stretched” by the attitudes and behaviour of their teenage children. Mom’s Manifesto for Personal and Family Sanity (what I will do and what I’ll stop doing) 1. I will stop telling you what you should do and dumping my anxiety about your future on you. It’s your life, not mine, and you’re very capable of […]

Read complete blog post

Violent Video Games

    The following is a scene from Grand Theft Auto : Vice City. It is a first person game where the player controls all the characters and is awarded points for behaving in certain ways. You steal a geek’s Corvette and speed along Miami’s roadways. You turn up the volume on the car’s radio. You see a pretty woman standing beside the road and slam on the brakes. She walks over to your car, […]

Read complete blog post

Teen Suicide

Statistics: 1. suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among 15 to 24 year olds (after car accidents) 2. for every suicide completion, there are between 100 and 200 attempts 3. 15% of teens report suicide ideation Myths: a) young people rarely think about suicide – FALSE b) talking about suicide will give young people the idea or permission to consider suicide – FALSE c) suicide is sudden and unpredictable – FALSE d) suicidal […]

Read complete blog post

ADHD in the Classroom

Many children with ADHD are in constant motion. Classroom settings pose a particular problem for them as they wiggle, squirm, talk out and annoy their neighbours. It is important for teachers and parents to understand that these behaviours are not the result of the children intentionally  choosing to behave in this way. It is an expression of a brain-based biological imbalance of their neurotransmitters. Sitting quietly, without moving for period of time is beyond their […]

Read complete blog post




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)