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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

Removing a child from a traumatic environment does not remove the trauma from the child's memory.

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Challenges Parents of Some Teens Face

 

 

My previous  2 blog entries highlighted positive research finding by Canadian sociologist Reginald Bibby. Unfortunately not all teens fit his description. Below is a list of concerns that parents share with me:

  • disrespectful attitude
  • self absorbed
  • lazy & careless about responsibilities
  • negative attitude toward life and school
  • emotionally withdrawn & distant
  • picks friends who you disapprove
  • angry outbursts for little reason
  • lacks motivation for school
  • neglects chores
  • moody
  • mean to siblings
  • detaches from family events
  • lies and is deceptive about activities
  • physically aggressive
  • skips school
  • substance abuse
  • arguments re: internet, cell phones, etc.
  • sexual activity

If parenting was going to be easy – it wouldn’t have started with something called “labour”

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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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2720 Rath Street, Putnam, Ontario
NOL 2BO

Phone: (519) 485-4678
Fax: (519) 485-0281

Email: info@rickharper.ca

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“He is a wealth of knowledge coupled with first hand experience.”

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