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

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

It's more effective to reward your child for being "good" (appropriate) than to punish him for being "bad" (inappropriate).

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)

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.

You cannot reason with someone who is being unreasonable.

Hurt people hurt people.

Good parenting requires sacrifice. Childhood lasts for only a few brief years , but it should be given priority while it is passing before your eyes

Criticism is not a motivator.

Early intervention is always better than crisis management - but it is never too late to do the right thing.

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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

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

(E.K. – London)