welcome image

We should not medicate the boys so they fit the school; we should change the school to fit the boy. (Leonard Sax, M.D. Ph.D)

Good parenting requires sacrifice. Childhood lasts for only a few brief years , but it should be given priority while it is passing before your eyes

Parents are the external regulator for kids who cannot regulate themselves.

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

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.

Criticism is not a motivator.

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.

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

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

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

Learn more.

Consequencing Teenagers

Identifying and following through on appropriate consequences is a major part of the job description for parents of teenagers. A consequence for inappropriate behaviour typically involves one of two options: a) removing a desirable (example – removal of computer privileges) b) adding an undesirable (example – adding a chore) Removing something the teen wants is usually more effective and easier to administer and monitor than adding something he/she doesn’t want. An effective consequence must involve […]

Read complete blog post

The Teenage Brain

 THE TEENAGE BRAIN   Adolescence is one of the times in an individual’s life when the greatest brain development is occurring.   – brain changes in size and shape – gray matter thickens – increase in synaptic connections between brain cells – specialization within brain occurs – “pruning” of pathways – sex hormones impact on brain   Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that facilitate the transmission of messages along nerve cells (billions of messages […]

Read complete blog post

Temper Tantrum (statistics)

1 year old       =     14% have tantrums daily 2-3 years old =     20% have tantrums daily 4 years old     =     11% have tantrums daily 5-6 years old =     5% have tantrums daily Adults have tantrums, but we usually say they’re “making a scene” Tantrums can occur at any time or place, but there are certain places where they are more likely or […]

Read complete blog post

Temper Tantrums

Tantrums are a normal and healthy part of the developing process for children. They are sometimes the only way a little one can tell us they disagree, feel frustrated, are tired or hungry or overwhelmed or bored. Their language skills and understanding of feelings and relationships have not developed to the point where intense feelings can be expressed in more acceptable ways. Tantrums first appear at about 1 year of age and usually ease up […]

Read complete blog post

Consequencing Teenagers

Identifying and following through on appropriate consequences is a necessary but challenging task   for many parents of teenagers . A consequence for inappropriate behaviour typically involves one of two directions: a) removing a desirable ( example – removal of computer privileges) b) adding an undesirable (example – extra chores) Removing something the teen wants is usually more effective than adding something he/she doesn’t want. Why? – often the teenager is already involved in a […]

Read complete blog post


Back to Top

Workshops

+ Behaviour Management (now available online)

This full day or 2 evening workshop will introduce you […]

Learn more

+ A Parent’s Guide to the Teenage Brain

  A teenager’s brain is not just an adult brain […]

Learn more

+ Reading Rescue

A program for children with reading problems

Learn more

+ A Guided Tour of ADHD (now available online)

This workshop will present the facts, myths, misconceptions, controversy and […]

Learn more

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

Archive


Parents' Comments

“Implementing Rick’s techniques and adhering to them is exhausting, but it is a healthy exhaustion rather than the detrimental exhaustion I used to experience.”

(B.F. – Woodstock)