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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.

The mistake that Sharon and I both made is we never set any boundaries.  (Ozzy Osbourne)

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

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

Setting limits teaches your children valuable skills they will use the rest of their lives. One day, they will report to a job where their ability to follow rules will dictate their success.

The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice. (Peggy O'Mara)

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

"Parents aren't the cause of ADHD, but they are part of the solution." (Kenny Handleman, M.D.)

"Moody" and "unpredictable" are adjectives parents will often use when referring to their teenagers.

Parents are the external regulator for kids who cannot regulate themselves.

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Helping Kids Through Traumatic Events

HELPING A SUSCEPTIBLE KID THROUGH A HORRIBLE EVENT Example – September 11                   – limit TV – constant bombarding of images  reinforces anxiety                   – message should be clear:                                                                         – this is horrible                                                                         – it’s frightening                                                                         – but we are not helpless or hopeless                                                                         – there are things being done                                                                         – the situation will improve                                                                         – the government is taking steps                                                                         – we can help       […]

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Types of Depression

TYPES OF DEPRESSION DIAGNOSED IN YOUNG PEOPLE (the Oxford Psychiatric Dictionary lists 25 different types of depression)   a) MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER (MDD)                   – serious depression lasts an average of 7-9  months                   – similar to adult depression in some ways                                                                         – sadness                                                                         – pessimism                                                                         – sleep & appetite disturbance                                                                         – decrease in concentration                   – dissimilar in some ways                                                                         – anxiety                                                                         – irritability                                                                         – overly […]

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Child & Youth Worker – Fanshawe College

Congratulations are extended to the Fanshawe College students who are just completing their academic semester in the Child & Youth Worker program at the Woodstock campus. It is a 3 year diploma program that equips students to work in classrooms, group homes, treatment centres, detention facilities, etc. The program involves 3 academic semesters plus 3 field placement semesters. I have been privileged to teach a psychology course to the first year students who will be […]

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Workshop – “It’s a Guy Thing, It’s a Girl Thing”

I will be presenting a workshop entitled “It’s a Guy Thing, It’s a Girl Thing” at the Woodstock campus of Fanshawe College on May 16 from 6:30 to 9:30 PM. Enclosed is a description: “Be prepared for an “aha” experience. Are boys different from girls? Do they think, play, learn, hear, talk differently? Finally modern science can now explain the many gender differences that influence every aspect of our lives. Understanding these differences will help […]

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Recent Training Events

I recently had the opportunity to present 2 different workshops for foster and adoptive parents through the London and Middlesex Children’s Aid Society. 20 people attended “Fostering – Take This Job and Love It” on February 29 and 27 people attended “The Difficult Child” on March 21. Feedback from both events was very positive with comments such as: – “excellent handouts that will prove helpful tomorrow and into the future” – “wonderful speaker, fast paced, […]

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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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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

“Rick’s approach is so logical. He helped us clearly define the problem, analyze what has happened and select the best strategy. We now feel empowered to do something positive for our kid”

(A.N. – Tillsonburg)