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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.

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

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

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.

"To be a man, a boy must see a man."  (J.R. Moehringer)

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.

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

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

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.

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

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Helping Kids Through Traumatic Events

HELPING A SUSCEPTIBLE KID
THROUGH A HORRIBLE EVENT
Example – September 11
                  – limit TV – constant bombarding of images  reinforces anxiety
                  – message should be clear:
                                                                        – this is horrible
                                                                        – it’s frightening
                                                                        – but we are not helpless or hopeless
                                                                        – there are things being done
                                                                        – the situation will improve
                                                                        – the government is taking steps
                                                                        – we can help
                                                                        – parents remain calm
 
 
 
Most often it’s a “private” event that triggers depression:
                  – loss of some kind – death, divorce, relationship
                  – dependent life event – one where the teen did something that results in a horrible event
                  – independent life event – teen did nothing to cause the event
 
 
 

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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

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

(C.C. – Sarnia)