welcome image

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.

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.

When a child is disregulated - is the time parents need to be regulated.

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

You cannot reason with someone who is being unreasonable.

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

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

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

Children fare better when expectations on them are clear and firm.

Don't wait for him to turn 10 before you reveal that you are not in fact the hired help whose job it is to clean up after him.

Learn more.

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
 
 
 

Back to Top

Workshops

+ Behaviour Management (now available online)

This full day or 2 evening workshop will introduce you […]

Learn more

+ A Parent’s Guide to the Teenage Brain

  A teenager’s brain is not just an adult brain […]

Learn more

+ Reading Rescue

A program for children with reading problems

Learn more

+ A Guided Tour of ADHD (now available online)

This workshop will present the facts, myths, misconceptions, controversy and […]

Learn more

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

Archive


Parents' Comments

“Rick’s approach is so logical. He helped us clearly define the problem, analyze what has happened and select the best strategy. We now feel empowered to do something positive for our kid”

(A.N. – Tillsonburg)