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

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

We should not medicate the boys so they fit the school; we should change the school to fit the boy. (Leonard Sax, M.D. Ph.D)

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

A tantruming toddler is a little ball of writhing muscle and incredible strength. It's like trying to carry a greased pig past a slop bucket.

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

Hurt people hurt people.

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.

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

Parenting style matters - a lot!

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Helping Kids Through Traumatic Events

HELPING A SUSCEPTIBLE KID
THROUGH A HORRIBLE EVENT
Example – September 11
                  – limit TV – constant bombarding of images  reinforces anxiety
                  – message should be clear:
                                                                        – this is horrible
                                                                        – it’s frightening
                                                                        – but we are not helpless or hopeless
                                                                        – there are things being done
                                                                        – the situation will improve
                                                                        – the government is taking steps
                                                                        – we can help
                                                                        – parents remain calm
 
 
 
Most often it’s a “private” event that triggers depression:
                  – loss of some kind – death, divorce, relationship
                  – dependent life event – one where the teen did something that results in a horrible event
                  – independent life event – teen did nothing to cause the event
 
 
 

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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

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

(E.K. – London)