150 The Explosive Child“Well, I’m more concerned about what it was that
caused him to hit you,” the therapist responded. “What
Plan did you want to use to address the chocolate chip
cookie issue?”
The mother paused. “I didn’t want him to have more
chocolate chip cookies.”
“So you told him he couldn’t have any more,” said the
therapist.
“Right,” said the mother.
“So you wanted to be using Plan A, yes?”
“What, you think I should have just let him eat the cook-
ies?” asked the mother.
“Well, that would have been Plan C,” said the therapist.
“So you’re saying I should have been doing Plan B,” said
the mother.
“If you didn’t want him to have five cookies and you
didn’t want him to explode, then yes, then Plan B would
have been the way to accomplish those two missions simul-
taneously.”
“You don’t think him hitting me is serious?” asked the
mother.
“Him hitting you is ver y serious,” said the therapist.
“So what should I do about the hitting?” asked the
mother.
“If you’re solving problems and resolving disagreements
with Plan B, I think you’ll greatly reduce the likelihood of
getting hit,” said the therapist.