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Adolescence can be the cruelest place on earth. It can really be heartless.  ( Tori Amos)

Parenting style matters - a lot!

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

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.

A tantruming toddler is a little ball of writhing muscle and incredible strength. It's like trying to carry a greased pig past a slop bucket.

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.

Simple rules adhered to when children are young can prevent more serious problems later.

Being a parent of a teenager can cure a person of narcissism.

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

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All Day Kindergarten

Ontario has instituted funding all day/everyday kindergarten for children as young as 3 1/2  years old. Current research on the developing brain facilitated by modern imaging equipment shows the language areas of the brain of many little  boys  is about 1 1/2 years behind little girls. Timing is everything. It is not enough to teach well. You have to teach well to kids who are developmentally ready to learn. Expecting little boys to attend all […]

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Sex Change

“Our universities have undergone a sex change !” I recently attended a conference presented by Dr. Leonard Sax (M.D., Ph.D.) who shared the following data from Statistics Canada: 1971 – 68% of Canadian university graduates were male 1981 – 54% were male 1991 – 51% were male 2001 – 42% were male 2006 – 40% were male This data clearly indicates that a growing proportion of males are “disengaging” from school. More and more of […]

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Underarm Hair

One of the rights of passage for boys entering puberty is the growth of underarm hair. Every boy is eager for this milestone to occur as they regularly count each hairs emergence. It is a good idea for parents to demonstrate a positive attitude towards their child’s excitement as it gives us an opening for an ongoing discussion on puberty and hygiene and the other changes that are soon coming.

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Eating Out with a Toddler (survival tips)

Taking a young child to a restaurant can be challenging but it doesn’t have to be a disaster. Planning your outing is the key. 1. Timing – choose a time when your child is rested and the restaurant is less likely to be very busy 2. distract – pack a “survival kit” containing items that will entertain your child while waiting to be served (e.g. ( paper & crayons, small toys, books, etc. 3. Set […]

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So what is the best advice regarding meds for ADD/ADHD?

James Garbarino (a noted  American psychologist) answers that question this way: “When prescribed for very specific conditions after a thorough exploration of psychological and social conditions in the child’s life, and with appreciation that the principal interventions needed for such children are behavioural and intellectual, some drugs make sense. However, the overall pattern in the western world does not generally meet these standards. There is too much prescription, too little in-depth diagnosis, too little effort […]

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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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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)