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"Rules without relationship leads to rebellion" (Josh McDowell)

There has been an explosion in the prescribing of medication for very young children, particularly preschool and kindergarten boys (Juli Zito , Univ. of Maryland)

Hurt people hurt people.

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.

Many clinicians find it easier to tell parents their child has a brain-based disorder than suggest parenting changes. Jennifer Harris (psychiatrist)

You cannot reason with someone who is being unreasonable.

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

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

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

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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Teen Issues 2

The good old days when you were a teen aren’t as different today as you think. For example, between 1978 and 2008 the average age for drinking alcohol for the first time went from 16.3 years of age  to 16.2 the age for smoking the first cigarette went from 15.2 years to 16.1 the age for smoking marijuana for the first time went from 18.4 years to 17.2 in 1991, 54 percent of high school […]

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Crash Test Mommy / Daddy in Aylmer

I will once again be presenting a workshop to the parents of Davenport Public School in Aylmer. This time it is  “Crash Test Mommy / Daddy” and it is a  2 hour presentation that is filled with sanity saving strategies to deal with behaviour issues of children ranging in age from toddlers to teens. Date:   February 5, 2013 Time:  6:30 – 8:30 PM Place: Davenport Public School 80 Rutherford Ave. Aylmer, Ontario (519) 773-9216 […]

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Child & Youth Worker – Fanshawe College

I am looking forward to the upcoming semester starting January 7  as Fanshawe College (Woodstock campus) begins  its CWY program for 2013. I am privileged to teach the course “Fundamentals of Human Learning” to the first year students. This program is a 3 year diploma program that prepares students to work with young people in schools, group homes, detention centres and day care centres. Three semesters are devoted to academic work at the college and […]

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Foster Parent Training in Hamilton

I had an opportunity to present the workshop “Taming a Toddler” to an enthusiastic group of foster and adoptive parents in Hamilton last night. Did you know that parents of toddlers are 3 times more at risk of psychological breakdown than parents of babies or school age children. The toddler stage (age 1-4) is the time that we see the beginning of “control” development: – bodily functions (toilet) – impulse (demands cannot be met instantly) […]

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Taming a Toddler – Hamilton CAS

I extend thanks to Sandra Chan of the Hamilton Children’s Aid Society for inviting me to present “Taming a Toddler” to an enthusiastic group of foster moms. We shared many ideas and laughs about the joys and challenges of raising a toddler. The Hamilton CAS has well over 100 foster homes who provide for the needs of children in care . Fostering is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. It certainly is […]

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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)