welcome image

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

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.

Whining and crying are employed by kids for the purpose of getting something. If it works, then it was worth the effort and will be repeated.

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

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

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

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

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

The quickest way to change your child’s behaviour is to first change your own.

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.

Learn more.

Parenting Workshop

    I am frequently invited to speak to parents at school, conferences, children’s aid societies, church groups etc. and share ideas about parenting. My workshop entitled “A Parent’s Guide to the Teenage Brain” is a 3 hour training that outlines cutting edge research that explains what’s happening in a teenager’s head – and it is good news. The cost of this workshop is $200 + cost of handouts + travel. Phone (519) 485-4678 or […]

Read complete blog post

Challenges Parents of Some Teens Face

    My previous  2 blog entries highlighted positive research finding by Canadian sociologist Reginald Bibby. Unfortunately not all teens fit his description. Below is a list of concerns that parents share with me: disrespectful attitude self absorbed lazy & careless about responsibilities negative attitude toward life and school emotionally withdrawn & distant picks friends who you disapprove angry outbursts for little reason lacks motivation for school neglects chores moody mean to siblings detaches from […]

Read complete blog post

Research on Teens

    Reginald Bibby concludes from his research that I reported in my previous blog that: 1. The values deemed “most important” by adult Canadians are mirrored by a solid majority of young people. 2. Canadian teens tend to hold essentially the same views as canadian adkults about core values. 3. Teen outlook is remarkably similar to adults. 4. The idea that there is a wide generation gap between the majority of teens and their […]

Read complete blog post

The Really “Ugly” Side of Stimulant Meds for ADHD

What are the really bad things that can happen? Stimulant meds are in the same class as morphine and barbiturates the potential for abuse is real abusers report cocaine-like effects Large doses give feelings of : euphoria  more energy  sense of power As effects wear off: heightened fatigue  irritability,  depression  craving for more Persistent use can lead to: psychotic episodes paranoid behaviour hallucinations bizarre behaviour  

Read complete blog post

Tactics for Temper Tantrums (part 10)

    Determine the Type of Tantrum Tantrums come in 2 varieties: “development” and “manipulative. The terrible two’s is all about the “developmental” type. These are typically very intense as the child literally has lost control of himself. With increasing age, this type usually gives way to the “manipulative” tantrum that typically has less intensity and more of a conscious, planned quality. It is not always easy to distinguish between the two types. The reaction […]

Read complete blog post




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

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

(E.K. – London)