216 The Explosive Childterproductive with a child who may actually have been
trying hard to stay on track or who may feel enormously
frustrated by his parents’ unrealistic expectations:
Father: Eric, your mother and I are pretty pleased
about how much better you’re doing in school,
but you’re still not working as hard as you ought
to be.
Eric: Huh?
Mother: But that’s not what we wanted to talk to you
about. You’re staying up too late doing your
homework.
Eric: I get it done, don’t I?
Father: Yes, apparently you do, but we want you to
get it done earlier so you get more sleep.
Eric: I get enough sleep.
Father: We don’t think you do. You’re very grouchy in
the morning, and you have trouble waking up.
We want you to do your homework when you get
home from school from now on.
Eric: I’m not doing my homework when I get home
from school! I need a break when I get home
from school! What difference does it make?
Mother: It makes a difference to us. Now, your father
and I have already talked this over, so there’s no
discussion on it. You need to get your homework
done when you get home from school.
Eric: No freaking way.