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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.

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

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.

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

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

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

Adolescence can be the cruelest place on earth. It can really be heartless.  ( Tori Amos)

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

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Consequencing Teenagers

Identifying and following through on appropriate consequences is a major part of the job description for parents of teenagers. A consequence for inappropriate behaviour typically involves one of two options: a) removing a desirable (example – removal of computer privileges) b) adding an undesirable (example – adding a chore) Removing something the teen wants is usually more effective and easier to administer and monitor than adding something he/she doesn’t want. An effective consequence must involve […]

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The Teenage Brain

 THE TEENAGE BRAIN   Adolescence is one of the times in an individual’s life when the greatest brain development is occurring.   – brain changes in size and shape – gray matter thickens – increase in synaptic connections between brain cells – specialization within brain occurs – “pruning” of pathways – sex hormones impact on brain   Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that facilitate the transmission of messages along nerve cells (billions of messages […]

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Temper Tantrum (statistics)

1 year old       =     14% have tantrums daily 2-3 years old =     20% have tantrums daily 4 years old     =     11% have tantrums daily 5-6 years old =     5% have tantrums daily Adults have tantrums, but we usually say they’re “making a scene” Tantrums can occur at any time or place, but there are certain places where they are more likely or […]

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Temper Tantrums

Tantrums are a normal and healthy part of the developing process for children. They are sometimes the only way a little one can tell us they disagree, feel frustrated, are tired or hungry or overwhelmed or bored. Their language skills and understanding of feelings and relationships have not developed to the point where intense feelings can be expressed in more acceptable ways. Tantrums first appear at about 1 year of age and usually ease up […]

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Consequencing Teenagers

Identifying and following through on appropriate consequences is a necessary but challenging task   for many parents of teenagers . A consequence for inappropriate behaviour typically involves one of two directions: a) removing a desirable ( example – removal of computer privileges) b) adding an undesirable (example – extra chores) Removing something the teen wants is usually more effective than adding something he/she doesn’t want. Why? – often the teenager is already involved in a […]

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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

“I wish we had found Rick 2 years ago. We could have saved ourselves and our son a lot of trouble.”

(T.T. – Byron)