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Hurt people hurt people.

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

Criticism is not a motivator.

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)

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

Wouldn't it be nice if children would simply listen and learn.

It is what we say and do when we're angry that creates the very model our children will follow when dealing with their own frustrations.

"Moody" and "unpredictable" are adjectives parents will often use when referring to their teenagers.

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

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

Learn more.

First Day of School

  “Back To School” sales are just around the corner and legions of little children will soon begin “Big School”. This can be a stressful time for both the child and the parents. Before your child starts school, it is helpful if your child can independently: do up his own shoes put on and take off his coat take care of toilet business – clothes, flush, wash blow his nose use a knife, fork & […]

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Sibling Rivalry

Sibling rivalry has existed as long as we’ve had siblings! In Biblical times we had Cain and Abel, Joseph and his brother problems. In children’s stories we have Cinderella. It seems that rivalry naturally follows the word sibling despite the fact that there are many solid sibling relationships within families. Conflict between siblings isn’t unique to humans either. It happens in just about every animal species that raises several young at the same time although […]

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Phobias

Phobias are a type of anxiety disorder usually defined as a persistent fear of an object or situation typically disproportional to the actual danger posed. There are literally hundreds and hundreds of phobias  (see – www.phobialist.com). Some of the more common ones are: dogs                                  Cynophobia Friday 13                         […]

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Limit Testers

  ENTHUSIATIC  LIMIT TESTERS   Many children :                   1. do not stop when told                   2. don’t respect rules                   3. don’t respect authority                   4. lack basic social skills                   5. have emotional problems                   6. have learning disabilities                   7. do NOT have  an identified diagnosis   MOST ARE SIMPLY EXERCISING THEIR WILLPOWER Parents have tried:                   – lectures                   – threatening                   – reasoning                   – explaining                   – bribing                   – […]

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Long Term Effects of FASD

Brain damage in utero lasts a lifetime! The resulting disabilities can severely impair the quality of life for the child, for the family and for society. LIFE IMPLICATIONS easily victimized unfocused, distractible money management problems doesn’t learn from mistakes doesn’t understand consequences fails to perceive social cues quick to anger difficult relationships lack initative drops out of school susceptible to drug & alcohol abuse become “ineffective” parents unemployment homeless trouble with the law mental health […]

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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

“We are foster parents who took in a 13 year old girl (going on 18!) and she ran us through the wringer. Rick helped us learn how to set limits that made the difference.”

(G.E. – Strathroy)