Plan B 115Mother: Davis, it’s time to go to your swim lesson.
Davis (playing with Legos at the kitchen table): I’m
not going. I hate swim lessons.
Mother (now using Emergency Plan B): Davis, we
have a problem, because your brother has a swim
lesson, too, and I can’t leave you home alone.
Davis: I don’t care! I’m not going!
Mother: We need to find a way to work this out. You
don’t want to go to your swim lesson, but I need
to take—
Davis (slamming his fist on the table, red-faced):
HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU?! I HATE
SWIMMING! I’M NOT GOING! GET AWAY FROM ME!
Mother: Davis, I didn’t say you had to go to your
swim lesson. I said we have to find a way to work
this out. That’s different.
Davis: I’m sick of working things out. IF YOU DON’T
SHUT UP, I’M GOING TO KILL YOU!
Davis’s brother: Mom, I’m gonna be late for my swim
lesson!
Mother, to brother: Alden, can you go get my purse?
I think it’s in my bedroom.
Mother, to Davis (Reassurance, plus Invitation): Davis,
I’m not saying you have to go to your swim lesson.
I’m just trying to think of how we can get your
brother to his swim lesson without me leaving you
home alone. Do you have any ideas?
Davis: No!