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

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

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

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.

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

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

Criticism is not a motivator.

Removing a child from a traumatic environment does not remove the trauma from the child's memory.

Parenting style matters - a lot!

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.

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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, mall, etc.
  •  “We can’t go out because (s)he won’t stay with a sitter.”
  •  “We can’t find a sitter who will stay with him/her.”
  • -“We have no time to ourselves, (s)he demands all our attention.”
  •  “(S)he insists on staying up until we go to bed.”
  • -“(S)he has to sleep in our bed.”
  • “We have no social life.”
  • “It’s getting so I don’t even like this child anymore.”

CHILDREN IN LEADERSHIP ROLES WITHIN A FAMILY ARE NOT HAPPY.

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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

“You have changed our life! Thanks, it needed changing!”

(T.N. – London)