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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.

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.

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

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

If there is no relationship - nothing else matters !

Children mimic well. They catch what they see better than they follow what they hear.

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

The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice. (Peggy O'Mara)

"The thing that impresses me most about North America is the way parents obey their children"    (King Edward VII , 1841-1910)

Many clinicians find it easier to tell parents their child has a brain-based disorder than suggest parenting changes. Jennifer Harris (psychiatrist)

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Causes of Depression in Teens

CAUSES
  • not clearly understood
  • no consensus
  • interaction between: – brain chemistry – genetic vulnerability, life events, coping skills

 
 
There is no gene or gene cluster, no one environmental factor or a single loss or traumatic event that triggers major depression.
 
 
 
Very conscientious, perfectionist types appear to be more prone to depression than their easy going peers.


 
 
Major depressive disorder  usually spontaneously passes within 2 years.
 
 
 
 
It has a tendency to reoccur in later years.


 
 

All people have ups and downs in life. When doctors diagnose depression they mean:

  • a profoundly depressed mood
  • significant impairment

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

(T.T. – Byron)