welcome image

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.

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

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

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.

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

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 best inheritance  parents can give their children is a few minutes of their time each day.

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

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.

"Unexpressed feeling never die. They are buried alive and come back later in ugly ways." (Stephen Covey)

Learn more.

Temper Tantrums (3 years to 6 years old)

Children of this age are capable of putting on a great show including screaming, crying, protesting, swearing, making demands, physical resistance, throwing objects, spitting, hitting, biting, scratching, etc. “Redirection”, “extinction”, and “wait outs” continue to be appropriate responses by parents but it is also  worth considering “time without reinforcement” (time out) and “withdrawal of privileges”. “Tracking” continues to be a useful strategy to use during those teachable moments. Next post – dealing with tantrums by […]

Read complete blog post

Temper Tantrums (18 months to 3 years)

A tantrum from a child this age becomes more dramatic. Expect screaming, crying, protest, slamming toys and doors, throwing objects, self injurious behaviours and lying on the ground with flailing arms and legs. The most effective and appropriate responses by the parent of a child this age are “redirection”, “extinction”, and “wait out”. For safety reason, stay within eyesight of the child. The “teachable moment” is not during the tantrum but sometime after you and […]

Read complete blog post

Tantrums (9 months to 18 months)

Temper tantrums should be expected to begin at this age. There will be a sudden explosion of tears and crying. He may throw himself to the ground, stiffen his body and clench his fist. You should attempt to determine the child’s “goal” for the tantrum. If his “goal” is reasonable (eg. hunger, boredom, discomfort, etc.) you should instruct the child in more appropriate methods by which he can achieve his goal and reinforce his future […]

Read complete blog post

Parenting a FASD Child (age 5-7 years)

The main developmental task for this aged child is to develop confidence to attempt new things. Guidelines for Caregivers give age appropriate knowledge of FASD to the child be ready for problems to intensify as his world expands routine, consistency, help & repetition remain key problems for siblings increase – eg. embarrassment, stealing, fighting “subtle” lessons on social skills are ineffective medication MAY soften some behaviour problems sports may serve as an outlet discipline needs […]

Read complete blog post

Contributing Factors to Teen Depression

Contributing Factors to Depression 1. Genes                – there is a genetic component                                 – most children of depressed parents do not become depressed but there is an increased risk                                                               […]

Read complete blog post




Back to Top

Workshops

+ Behaviour Management (now available online)

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

Learn more

+ Lick Your Kids

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

Learn more

+ A Parent’s Guide to the Teenage Brain

  A teenager’s brain is not just an adult brain […]

Learn more

+ Reading Rescue

A program for children with reading problems

Learn more

+ 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.

Learn more

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

Archive


Parents' Comments

“He is a wealth of knowledge coupled with first hand experience.”

(E.K. – London)