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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.

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

Children today are under enormous pressures rarely experienced by their parents or grandparents. Many of today's children are being enticed to grow up too quickly and are encountering challenges for which they are totally unprepared.

"Cutting" is a visible sign to the world that you are hurting.

"Parents aren't the cause of ADHD, but they are part of the solution." (Kenny Handleman, M.D.)

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

Don't wait for him to turn 10 before you reveal that you are not in fact the hired help whose job it is to clean up after him.

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

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.

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

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PARENT / TEACHER RELATIONSHIP

  Your child will spend 6 hours a day in a classroom with his teacher. That works out to about 1200 hours per year. It is a good idea to touch base with the teacher early in the school year to demonstrate that you care deeply about your child’s  education and that you wish to be a contributing team player in the process. It is important that this first meeting have a positive tone and […]

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A GOOD TEACHER

  A good teacher will attempt to fulfill the following roles for YOUR child and about 25 other kids  also. He/she will need your help and support; teacher counsellor organizer disciplinarian encourager mentor book keeper role model assessor file trip planner social worker hot dog money collector coat finder arbitrator supervisor paper pusher fundraiser nose wiper musician artistic director report writer mediator parent substitute confidant lecturer facilitator curriculum planner leader tester safety consultant security officer […]

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THE VICIOUS CYCLE OF BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS

  A “vicious cycle of behaviour problems” begins when a child repeatedly performs an inappropriate behaviour and the parent’s attempt to manage it is unsuccessful. The behaviour is repeated many times over a period of time with the results being: management strategy continues to be less than successful parent gets angry the child continues the behaviour child gets “locked in” and shows no sign of wanting to cooperate parent gets “locked in” to a strategy […]

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LEADERSHIP WITHIN A FAMILY

  LEADERSHIP WITHIN A FAMILY A leader or leaders will emerge in every family. If parents are unable or unwilling to perform the leadership role, a child will take over. There is no minimum age for this to happen. Some parents become “slaves” to a newborn, the moment  (s)he comes home from the hospital. Frequently heard comments from parents who are not in charge of their home:  “We can’t take him/her out to a restaurant, […]

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Have ADD/ADHD ?

  You’re in good company . Beethoven Elvis Bill Gates Henry Ford Robin Williams Socrates Mozart Winston Churchill Alexander Graham Bell Picasso Napoleon Jim Carey John Lennon Howie Mandel J.F.K. Bill Cosby Louis Pasteur Michael Jordan Richard Branson Whoopi Goldberg Michael Phelps Jamie Oliver A diagnosis of ADD /ADHD is not something one would wish for but it obviously does not need to prevent one from accomplishing great things !

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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 daughter was the joy of our life until she turned 13, then all hell broke loose. Rick helped us understand what was happening to her and we made some adjustments that helped us get through it. She’s now in University and doing well.”

(D.A. – St. Thomas)