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

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

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.

Being a parent of a teenager can cure a person of narcissism.

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

Parenting style matters - a lot!

The best inheritance  parents can give their children is a few minutes of their time each day.

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

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.

Children do not develop on their own - they only develop within relationships.

Learn more.

Sleep Problems (part 3 – the middle of the night screamer)

A child who regularly wakens in the night and won’t go back to sleep without  a parent’s help is SO DRAINING!  The following technique is worthy of your consideration if you have a middle of the night screamer and you are sure that there is nothing wrong with the child ie. ill.

The Controlled Crying Technique

Step # 1 – when the child wakens and begins to cry, let him cry for 10 minutes

– if he doesn’t fall back to sleep in 10 minutes, go to him and offer Grade B comfort

– pick up and cuddle low key, demonstrate concern (but not too much)

– use FEW words

Step # 2 – when the child stops crying – put him down and promptly leave the room

– use NO words

Step # 3 – when he starts crying again – let him cry 3 minutes longer than before

– offer Grade B comfort as before and when he stops crying leave his room in the same

manner as before – NO words

Step # 4 – repeat step 3 (let him cry 3 minutes longer = 16 minutes)

– goal is to gradually build up the time between your comforting

– the child eventually figures out “my parents will come sometime, but this isn’t worth the

effort

– I recommend that you do not exceed a 30 minute crying spell without offering comfort

(the comfort MUST be Grade B and use NO words)

Parents who have used this technique correctly have approximately a 90% cure rate within 7 nights. They report that children in the age range 1 year to 2 years have frequent relapses. Children over the age of 14 months display major showdowns on the first couple nights but the fuss is usually over by the 3rd night.

Giving the child the ability to self soothe and return to sleep unaided is a wonderful lifelong gift to the child and a welcome milestone for parents.

Rick Harper has been providing ideas for parents for over 40 years.

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

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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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Parents' Comments

“Our psychiatrist recommended Rick to help us sort out behaviour management issues for our autistic son. He was an invaluable help.”

(C.C. – Sarnia)