Family Matters 209something now that I think will eventually work
better. I think it’s starting to work pretty well.
Sister: What are you going to do if I start swearing?
Mother: I’d help you think of different words, too.
Then again, you don’t seem to have a problem
with swearing, which is really good. So it doesn’t
look like that’s what you need my help with.
Sister: Yes. Math is what I need help with.
Mother: Exactly.Can Plan B be applied to interactions between an ex-
plosive child and his siblings? Why not? The parents are
facilitating Plan B discussions by ensuring that the con-
cerns of both siblings are on the table and that solutions
address both concerns. Plan B is still the mechanism by
which some essential skills are being taught and prob-
lems are being solved, except now in the context of sib-
ling interactions. The brothers and sisters end up feeling
good because their explosive sibling is more approach-
able and less terrifying; they see that their views are be-
ing heard, that they are involved in the process of
working toward a solution that takes their needs into ac-
count, and that you’re able to handle things in an even-
handed manner. The explosive child ends up feeling good
because you’ve helped him avoid treating his sibling in a
way he’d be sorry for later, helped him work out a solu-
tion that takes his needs into account, and reinforced