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

Many clinicians find it easier to tell parents their child has a brain-based disorder than suggest parenting changes. Jennifer Harris (psychiatrist)

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.

If there is no relationship - nothing else matters !

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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Challenges Parents of Some Teens Face

 

 

My previous  2 blog entries highlighted positive research finding by Canadian sociologist Reginald Bibby. Unfortunately not all teens fit his description. Below is a list of concerns that parents share with me:

  • disrespectful attitude
  • self absorbed
  • lazy & careless about responsibilities
  • negative attitude toward life and school
  • emotionally withdrawn & distant
  • picks friends who you disapprove
  • angry outbursts for little reason
  • lacks motivation for school
  • neglects chores
  • moody
  • mean to siblings
  • detaches from family events
  • lies and is deceptive about activities
  • physically aggressive
  • skips school
  • substance abuse
  • arguments re: internet, cell phones, etc.
  • sexual activity

If parenting was going to be easy – it wouldn’t have started with something called “labour”

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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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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)