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

Hurt people hurt people.

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.

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

If you are headed in the wrong direction as a parent - you are allowed to make a U-turn.

Simple rules adhered to when children are young can prevent more serious problems later.

If it  was going to be easy to raise kids, it never would have started with something called "labour".

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.

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.)

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Rachel – age 15

WARNING SIGNS
                  Journal entry – Rachel age 15
“If I’m not doing what I want to do in a few years, then I will commit suicide. I’m surprised I haven’t done it yet because I feel really terrible all the time – well, maybe most of the time. I just don’t have any courage but anyone else in my position would have already committed suicide.
I would love to drop out of school but I don’t think I could do it because then it’s final. I wouldn’t feel complete. Nothing helps me. I know when people hear this they’re going to say that killing yourself is stupid and I feel like they are yelling at me. I l think it makes me feel worse – not that anyone will ever hear this because I’ve written these a million times to tell people how I feel. I am hoping that I would show this to someone today finally to tell how I feel. I’m really confused about everything. Usually my friends can help me but now there is nothing they can do.
I think a lot about omens. I think everything that happens to me is an omen and the sun is now reflecting off the building right in front of me – in my eyes – and I feel that’s a good sign, but I still feel really bad.”
 
Profile
                  – Rachel age 15
                  – stable home life
                  – clearly struggling, desperate for help
                  – feeling trapped
                  – difficulty asking for help
                  – there were a number of warning signs
 
Prologue
                  – parent’s recognized problem
                  – received counseling
                  – prescribed antidepressants
                  – went to college
                  – continues to struggle with depression as an adult

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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 am no longer overwhelmed with a child who has unending discipline and behaviour problems.”

(P.S. – London)