welcome image

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.

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

Criticism is not a motivator.

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

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

Parents are the external regulator for kids who cannot regulate themselves.

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.

It is what we say and do when we're angry that creates the very model our children will follow when dealing with their own frustrations.

The more 2 parents differ in their approaches to discipline, the more likely it leads to trouble for the child.

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

Learn more.

Teen Issues 1

Parents of teenagers face numerous issues and struggles. It is no wonder they become discouraged, overwhelmed, angry or confused. Rick has ideas how to help.

  •  disrespectful attitude towards parents, family and others
  • challenges requests or rules
  • self-absorbed
  • unable to see things from another’s perspective
  • lazy and careless about responsibilities
  • has a negative attitude toward school
  • is emotionally withdrawn and distant
  • picks friends of whom parents disapprove
  • erupts in anger for minor reasons
  • lacks motivation for school, failing grades
  • neglects home chores and responsibilities
  • moody
  • mean to siblings
  • detaches from family events
  • wants to be with peers only
  • lies and deceptive about activities
  • physically aggressive or destructive
  • skips school
  • abuses substances – alcohol, drugs, pornography
  • engages in sexual activity

The right intervention, given at the right time , in the right way, can make all the difference in the world.

Back to Top

Workshops

+ Behaviour Management (now available online)

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

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

+ A Guided Tour of ADHD (now available online)

This workshop will present the facts, myths, misconceptions, controversy and […]

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

“We were so naive. We thought our son’s poor behaviour was just a phase he was passing through. Thankfully you led us ‘out of the wilderness'”

(N.S. – London)