The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically I

Plan B 125 “Don’t forget, this is just a snack, guys,” said the mother. Casey rushed into the McDonald’s, ate his fries, and wou ...

126 The Explosive Child sitting atop the register. This minor disagreement— which had never arisen before—had the potential to t ...

Plan B 127 “Oh, there must be a way to solve this problem,” he prodded. “We’ve had tougher problems than this be- fore. Let’s th ...

128 The Explosive Child In the next meeting with the family therapist, the father needed a little reassurance. “I’m afraid we’re ...

Plan B 129 “What about it?” the therapist asked. “The real world doesn’t have Plan B or people who always try to understand,” he ...

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7 Learning Curves In Chapter 6, you learned about your three options for responding to problems or unmet expectations, and a lot ...

132 The Explosive Child find out soon enough. Then it’s back to Plan B to figure out why and come up with a solution that is mor ...

Learning Curves 133 You may be agreeing to solutions that aren’t realistic, doable, and mutually satisfactor y. Better to keep ...

134 The Explosive Child EMPATHY If you skip the Empathy step, your child will think you’re using Plan A because you’re leading o ...

Learning Curves 135 “What was Jeremy’s concern?” asked the counselor. “His concern?” asked the mother, still confused. “Yes, at ...

136 The Explosive Child working in school. Anyway, he always seems to have enough energy for karate...” “But I suppose it makes ...

Learning Curves 137 bilities unless we’re doing Plan B. Have a Proactive Plan B discussion with him this week and see if he has ...

138 The Explosive Child into the camp canteen so I’d have money to spend at camp. I didn’t spend all of the money they put into ...

Learning Curves 139 “My concern? What do you mean, my concern?” “Your concern—you know, whatever’s making you say ‘Over my dead ...

140 The Explosive Child “What’s up?” the therapist asked. “He just exploded in the car,” she responded. “Over what?” “He wants c ...

Learning Curves 141 today—but you never really invited him to solve the prob- lem collaboratively.” “What would a good solution ...

142 The Explosive Child “NO!” Chuck screamed. “How ’bout May?” he pleaded in desperation. “ May could be a ver y good solution,” ...

Learning Curves 143 For many folks, “Hold the child accountable” is code for “punishment.” Many people believe that if the conse ...

144 The Explosive Child “He just wants control.” We all want control. Same deal. “He won’t cooperate.” If you’re talking about ...