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If it  was going to be easy to raise kids, it never would have started with something called "labour".

"To be a man, a boy must see a man."  (J.R. Moehringer)

Children do not develop on their own - they only develop within relationships.

The mistake that Sharon and I both made is we never set any boundaries.  (Ozzy Osbourne)

You cannot reason with someone who is being unreasonable.

When a child is disregulated - is the time parents need to be regulated.

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

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

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

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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Foster Parent Training in Brantford

I had an opportunity recently to present the  workshop  “Working With Birth Parents” to a welcoming group of foster parents affiliated with the Children’s Aid Society  of Brant. I extend thanks to Carrie Davidson and Keri Brook for their efforts in arranging and organizing this training event. The legal responsibility of the CAS is to provide care for children who, for a variety of reasons, are unable to live with their birth family. The preferred […]

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Upcoming Workshop (Teenage Brain)

I will be presenting a workshop open to the public on October 22, 6:30-9:30 at the Woodstock campus of Fanshawe College. The title of the workshop is “A Parent’s Guide to the Teenage Brain” A teenager’s brain is not just an adult brain with fewer kilometres on it. It is a brain that is not fully developed. It is a work in progress and has stymied parents for centuries. Modern science is now explaining biological […]

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Suicide Threats – Do’s & Don’ts

DO’S & DON’TS WITH A SUICIDE THREAT DO:                   1. stay calm                   2. talk to him         – listen                                                       – don’t try to “talk” him out of how he is feeling                                                       – don’t try to cheer him up                                                       – show concern                                                       – reassure person you know how to get    help                                                       – ascertain how well thought out the plans are (fleeting thoughts of suicide are           […]

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Suicide

THE NIGHTMARE of SUICIDE Journal entry “ I’m surprised I haven’t done it yet because I feel really terrible all the time. I just don’t have any courage but anyone else in my position would have already committed suicide.”       Rachel  age 15                   – the peak age for suicide attempts is 16                   – 19% of teens seriously consider suicide                   – 6% actually attempt it                   – only car accidents claim more teen lives […]

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Helping Kids Through Traumatic Events

HELPING A SUSCEPTIBLE KID THROUGH A HORRIBLE EVENT Example – September 11                   – limit TV – constant bombarding of images  reinforces anxiety                   – message should be clear:                                                                         – this is horrible                                                                         – it’s frightening                                                                         – but we are not helpless or hopeless                                                                         – there are things being done                                                                         – the situation will improve                                                                         – the government is taking steps                                                                         – we can help       […]

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Workshops

+ Behaviour Management (now available online)

This full day or 2 evening workshop will introduce you […]

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+ Lick Your Kids

  “Lick Your Kids” (figuratively not literally) (2 hours) First […]

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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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+ Taming a Toddler

Many parents wonder what hit them when their sweet little baby turns into an unreasonable toddler – ideas for dealing with mealtime, bedtime, temper tanturms, toilet training, noncompliance, etc.

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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

“Our psychiatrist recommended Rick to help us sort out behaviour management issues for our autistic son. He was an invaluable help.”

(C.C. – Sarnia)