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

Parenting style matters - a lot!

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

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.

Good parenting requires sacrifice. Childhood lasts for only a few brief years , but it should be given priority while it is passing before your eyes

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

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

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.

Being a parent of a teenager can cure a person of narcissism.

"Parents aren't the cause of ADHD, but they are part of the solution." (Kenny Handleman, M.D.)

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Teen Issues 1

Parents of teenagers face numerous issues and struggles. It is no wonder they become discouraged, overwhelmed, angry or confused. Rick has ideas how to help.  disrespectful attitude towards parents, family and others challenges requests or rules self-absorbed unable to see things from another’s perspective lazy and careless about responsibilities has a negative attitude toward school is emotionally withdrawn and distant picks friends of whom parents disapprove erupts in anger for minor reasons lacks motivation for […]

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Young & Bipolar

YOUNG & BIPOLAR   Bipolar = episodes of extraordinary energy and racing grandiose thoughts alternating with periods of    deep, perplexing depression (manic depressive)                     Manic state:                                     – great energy                                     – unrealistic “highs”                                     – go without sleep for days                                     – rapid speech, flipping topics                                     – intensely focus on activities or projects to the detriment of everything else                                     – marked increase in sexual interests- risky sex,  masturbating                                     – […]

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Tantrums at Various Ages

0 to 8 months Infants less than 8 months old do not have “temper tantrums” Crying or fussing is their way of communicating a need to you, whether it be hunger, diaper change, nap, change of position, or they simply don’t feel well. You should respond to your baby and attempt to identify the problem and “fix” it. Next post will look at tantrums for children 9 months old to 18 months.

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Diagnostic Criteria for ADD/ADHD

The following is a summary of the criteria in DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) and describes what doctors look for when diagnosing ADD or ADHD. A. INATTENTION ( the individual must display 6 or more of these characteristics) makes careless mistakes difficulty sustaining attention doesn’t seem to listen does not finish schoolwork, chores or duties difficulty organizing tasks and activities avoids tasks that require sustained mental effort easily distracted forgetful and/or B. […]

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Parenting a FASD Toddler

The main developmental tasks for a toddler are: – to learn he is a separate person – to learn his body is his own – to learn his ideas and feelings have value Life becomes increasingly frustrating for the toddler as the demands and expectations placed on him increase. He will discover that he is unable to do many of the things he wants to do himself eg. feed, dress himself, etc.) Guidelines for toddlers […]

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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

“We are foster parents who took in a 13 year old girl (going on 18!) and she ran us through the wringer. Rick helped us learn how to set limits that made the difference.”

(G.E. – Strathroy)