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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.

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

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

Children mimic well. They catch what they see better than they follow what they hear.

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

If there is no relationship - nothing else matters !

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

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

Criticism is not a motivator.

The more 2 parents differ in their approaches to discipline, the more likely it leads to trouble for the child.

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Trauma in Children

It is estimated that 40% of North American children will have at least one potentially traumatizing experience by the time they are 18 years old including:

– death of a parent or sibling

– ongoing abuse – physical, mental, sexual

– serious accident

– natural disaster

– witnessing domestic violence

– violent crime

How adults respond to children during and after traumatic events can make an enormous difference in the eventual outcome – both for good and for bad.

(Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience , Nov. 2005)

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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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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)