148 The Explosive ChildParent (Define the Problem): The thing is, I can’t let
you run in front of cars because I don’t want you
to get hurt. Right?
Clark: Yup.
Parent (Invitation): Let’s think of how we can solve
that problem. Do you have any ideas?
Clark: Uhm...we could not go into parking lots.
Parent: There’s an idea. The thing is, sometimes we
have to go into parking lots—like to go food
shopping or to go to the drugstore. So I don’t know
if we can stay away from parking lots completely.
But I bet there’s some way we could be in parking
lots without me having to worry about you running
in front of cars. What do you think?
Clark: You could leave me home with Grammy.
Parent: I could... sometimes. But Grammy can’t
always look after you when I’m out doing errands.
Clark: I could hold your hand.
Parent: You could hold my hand. I think that idea
could work very well. But sometimes you get mad
when I want to hold your hand in the parking lot.
Clark: That’s ’cuz you’re screaming at me.
Parent: I’m screaming at you because you’re—
uhm—-you know what? If you and I agree that
you’re going to hold my hand in the parking lot
from now on, then it won’t matter why I was
screaming at you.