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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.

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.

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

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.

Some hope their children will be like sponges soaking up the truth and wisdom imparted by their parents. However appealing this philosophy might be, it seldom seems to catch on with their children.

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

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

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

Parenting style matters - a lot!

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

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Biochemical Approach to Treating ADD/ADHD

One of the treatment approaches to helping a child with ADD/ADHD is biochemical or pills. The medical community by in large endorses the theory that ADD/ADHD is caused by an imbalance of the neurotransmitters in the brain. The treatment frequently recommended by doctors is to give the child a pill that will bring the neurotransmitters into balance. Some of the more commonly prescribed meds include Ritalin, Concerta, Strattera (there are a number of others). Doctors are unsure exactly how these meds work but the theory suggests that they act upon the executive functioning parts of the brain and help the child become less impulsive and consequently think before he acts. These medications  are very effective with a significant percentage of children diagnosed with ADD/ADHD and frequently result in dramatically improved behaviour. There are of course side effects that can be troubling and my next posting will outline some of these problems.

What parents need most are ideas, because with ideas we get options. Rick Harper has been providing ideas to parents for over 40 years.

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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

“You have changed our life! Thanks, it needed changing!”

(T.N. – London)