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The teenage years require a delicate balance between the young person's need to gain independence, and the parent's need to retain authority.

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

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.

If you (parents) tend to overreact to your child's misbehaviour - your child learns that he can't trust you. Mom, Dad, stay regulated!

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

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.

"Cutting" is a visible sign to the world that you are hurting.

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

If you are headed in the wrong direction as a parent - you are allowed to make a U-turn.

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

Learn more.

Temper Tantrums (3 years to 6 years old)

Children of this age are capable of putting on a great show including screaming, crying, protesting, swearing, making demands, physical resistance, throwing objects, spitting, hitting, biting, scratching, etc. “Redirection”, “extinction”, and “wait outs” continue to be appropriate responses by parents but it is also  worth considering “time without reinforcement” (time out) and “withdrawal of privileges”. “Tracking” continues to be a useful strategy to use during those teachable moments.

Next post – dealing with tantrums by children 6 years and beyond.

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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

“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)