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If there is no relationship - nothing else matters !

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

Children mimic well. They catch what they see better than they follow what they hear.

It's more effective to reward your child for being "good" (appropriate) than to punish him for being "bad" (inappropriate).

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

There has been an explosion in the prescribing of medication for very young children, particularly preschool and kindergarten boys (Juli Zito , Univ. of Maryland)

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

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

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

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ADHD Medication

    It is an understandable reaction for parents when a doctor prescribes  ADHD medications. There are so many questions and the doctor has so little time to answer them. Is the medication safe? How will we know if it is working? Are there side effects? Will my child feel like a zombie? In the next few blogs, I will attempt to shed some light on these questions  

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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 […]

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“DOOM” by Lori – age 15

DOOM                                       by Lori – age 15                                     The only visible light                                               Into darkness                                     The only relief is                                     Cut into my flesh                                     As deep as sadness                                     Pain passes away                                     But I will be left with the scars                                     From the past                                       I hear vividly the sounds                                     The screams.                                     I am but a bug                                     Invisible to life                                     Picked on when sought.                                     Pain is an […]

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Sound Familiar ?

“Mom, Dad, Jason punched me!” “I did not! Patrick took my Game Boy, and I just put out my hand a little to get it back” “Mom, Jason’s lying!  I didn’t take his stupid Game Boy!” “Dad, Patrick’s kicking me! Tell him to stop it! Ow! Mom, Dad, Jason’s pulling my hair!” Sibling quibbling is one of the most often complaints I hear from parents. Sibling rivalry has existed as long as we’ve had siblings. […]

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Tactics for Tantrums (part 1)

My next several posts will offer ideas about handling toddler’s tantrums. They are based on the premise that some tantrum throwing will and should occur and that our job as parents is to make it as painless as possible for all participants. 1. The Ignore Tactic To use the ignore tactic the parent totally ignores the child’s dramatic performance. Look busy. Bustle around the house, sweeping, dusting or stacking magazines. Do not, however, try to […]

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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 psychiatrist recommended Rick to help us sort out behaviour management issues for our autistic son. He was an invaluable help.”

(C.C. – Sarnia)