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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)

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

Criticism is not a motivator.

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

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.

The challenge of adolescence is to balance the right of the parents to feel they are in charge with the need of the adolescent to gain independence.

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

If you (parents) tend to overreact to your child's misbehaviour - your child learns that he can't trust you. Mom, Dad, stay regulated!

It is what we say and do when we're angry that creates the very model our children will follow when dealing with their own frustrations.

Wouldn't it be nice if children would simply listen and learn.

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Foster Parent Training

 

 

It was my pleasure recently to have had the opportunity of speaking to a group of foster parents from Carpe Diem Residential Treatment Homes in the Hamilton/Ancaster, Ontario area. Approximately 20 foster parents and staff participated in the workshop “A Parent’s Guide to the Teenage Brain” and they learned that modern science can now explain biological reasons for some of the worrisome behaviours we see in our teens. The invention of those marvelous imaging machines have allowed neuroscientists to look inside our brains and they have discovered that much of what they used to think about the teen brain is wrong. It is still undergoing a major rewiring process well into their 20’s. We are now tiptoeing on the edge of understanding why teens can be so mature one minute and so maddening the next.

Carpe Diem provides foster homes for children of all ages and I give thanks for the dedication, patience and love of their foster parents.

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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

“Our daughter was the joy of our life until she turned 13, then all hell broke loose. Rick helped us understand what was happening to her and we made some adjustments that helped us get through it. She’s now in University and doing well.”

(D.A. – St. Thomas)