A new Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated

Adult (Empathy): I know that your medicine has 
been making you sick to your stomach and that 
you’re not too happy about that. 

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Plan B 
111 
Child: Yeah. 
Adult (Define the Problem, then Invitation): I’m not 
too happy about it either. The thing is, I’m a little 
worried about what will happen if we just yank 
you off the meds without talking to Dr. Lazarus. 
Plus, the medicine seems to be helping you 
control your temper a little better. Let’s think 
about what we can do about that . . . do you 
have any ideas? 
Child: I don’t want to take my medicine. 
Adult: I know. I’m very sorry it’s making you sick to 
your stomach. I just don’t want to make you sicker 
by having you stop taking it before Dr. Lazarus 
says it’s OK. 
Child: Can you call him? 
Adult: I tried. He hasn’t called back yet. I guess I 
could page him. 
Child: Yes, page him! 
Adult: I think that’s probably the best idea. We have 
an appointment with him next week. You don’t 
think you could take the medicine until the 
appointment and then we’ll ask him what we 
should do? 
Child: It’s making me sick to my stomach! 
Adult: OK, I’ll page him and he can tell us what to do. 
I don’t think he’s going to say you can stop taking 
it completely, though, so we need to be ready if 

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112 
The Explosive Child 
he says you should keep taking it. Maybe he’s had 
other kids who got sick to their stomach on this 
medicine and he’ll know what worked for them. 
Adult (Empathy): We were thinking of going to the 
movies this afternoon, and I know that sometimes 
you don’t want to go because you’re worried 
there will be scary parts.