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

120 The Explosive Child

lems and tr y using Proactive Plan B with your child at an
opportune time. If it goes well, terrific. If it doesn’t go
well, pay special attention to Chapters 7 and 8.

Need a brief summary of what you’ve just read? Here
goes:

• There are three options for responding to problems
  or unmet expectations: impose your will (Plan A);
  drop the expectation completely, at least for now
  (Plan C); and work out a solution that is realistic,
  doable, and mutually satisfactory (Plan B).

° With Plan A, you’re pursuing your expectation

but greatly heightening the likelihood of an ex-

plosion.

° With Plan C, you’re eliminating the potential for an

explosion but not pursuing your expectation.

° With Plan B, you’re reducing the likelihood of an

explosion and pursuing your expectation.

• Any unmet expectation that can be responded to by
  using Plan A can also be responded to by using Plan
  B. In other words, you’re setting limits with Plan A,
  and you’re setting limits with Plan B, but in very dif-
  ferent ways. You don’t lose any authority using Plan
  B. None.