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

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

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.

"Unexpressed feeling never die. They are buried alive and come back later in ugly ways." (Stephen Covey)

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

Relationships matter:  change comes through forming trusting relationships. People, not programs change people.

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

Criticism is not a motivator.

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

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

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Young & Bipolar

YOUNG & BIPOLAR
 
Bipolar = episodes of extraordinary energy and racing grandiose thoughts alternating with periods of    deep, perplexing depression (manic depressive)
 
                  Manic state:
                                    – great energy
                                    – unrealistic “highs”
                                    – go without sleep for days
                                    – rapid speech, flipping topics
                                    – intensely focus on activities or projects to the detriment of everything else
                                    – marked increase in sexual interests- risky sex,  masturbating
                                    – alcohol & drug abuse
                                    – reckless driving
                                    – normal inhibitions gone
                                    – flying thoughts but they do not make sense
 
                  Depressed State:
                                    – deep paralyzing depression
 
 
MOOD SWINGS ARE:
                  – extreme
                  – extensive
                  – potentially self-destructive
 
 CAUSE
                  – not known
                  – imbalance in brain chemistry
                                                      – serotonin
                                                      – norepinephrine
                  – strong evidence of genetic predisposition
 
 
 
80% of Bipolar adults have suicidal ideation
40% of Bipolar adolescents attempt suicide
15% do eventually commit suicide
25% of suicides victims have Bipolar
Bipolar can exist with other mental diseases complicating treatment
Bipolar is a serious mental disease that can be lethal
 
 
 
TREATMENT
                  – medications       – lithium
                                                      – anticonvulsants
                                                      – long term
                  – prognosis for Bipolar is optimistic with  proper and consistent treatment

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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

“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)