A new Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated

Adult: Cindy, how do you like school? 
Cindy: I hate school. 
Adult: You hate school? What is it about school that 
you hate? 
Cindy: I just don’t like it. 
Adult: That’s a shame, because you have to spend 
a lot of time there. But what is it that you don’t 
like? 
Cindy: The other kids think I’m stupid. 
Adult: They do? How so? 
Cindy: They just do. 
Adult: Tell me what you mean by “stupid.” 
Cindy: You know . . . dumb . . . stupid. 
Adult: That must not feel very good to you. What 
makes you think the other kids think you’re stupid? 
Do they say you’re stupid? 
Cindy: No, not exactly. I just know they think that. 
Adult: Is there anyone else who makes you feel that 
you’re stupid? 
Cindy: No. 

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200 
The Explosive Child 
Adult: Well, there must be some reason you think the 
other kids think you’re stupid. What made you 
decide that? 
Cindy: I sometimes say the wrong answer in class. 
Adult: That can be very embarrassing. Can you 
remember a time when that happened? 
Cindy: Well, like last week we were doing math 
problems on the chalkboard, and my answer was 
wrong. 
Adult: Did the other kids laugh? 
Cindy: No, not really. 
Adult: Did someone tease you about putting the 
wrong answer? 
Cindy: No. 
Adult: Did any of the other kids put the wrong 
answer? 
Cindy: Yes. . . . lots. 
Adult: Were they stupid when they put the wrong 
answer? 
Cindy: No. 
Adult: What’s different when you put the wrong 
answer? 
Cindy: I don’t know. I just know they think I’m stupid.