The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, "Chronically Inflexible" Children

Additional The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, "Chronically Inflexible" Children Information

Not so fast. These labels suggest that the behavior if such children is planned and intentional, and popular reward-and-punishment strategies are typically used to teach and motivate them to behave more appropriately. But for a significant number of these children, the standard approach doesn't always work. Such children are easily frustrated and extremely inflexible. They get "stuck" over seemingly simple requests, benign issues, and sudden changes in plans. They may be very anxious, irritable, and volatile. They may have difficulty telling you what they're frustrated about or thinking through potential solutions to problems. In clinical terms, they may be diagnosed with any of a variety of psychiatric disorders, including oppositional-defiant disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Tourette's disorder, depression, and bipolar disorder. If this sounds like your child, you're probably feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, guilt-ridden, exhausted, and hopeless.

Now there is a new way for you, your child, and your entire family to find help. In this groundbreaking new book, Dr. Ross Greene, a child psychologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, makes a compassionate argument that the difficulties of these children stem from developmental deficits in two critical skills: flexibility and frustration tolerance. He asserts that if such children could do well, they would.

Drawing upon recent advances in the neuroscience, Dr. Greene describes the factor that contribute to "inflexible-explosive" behavior in children and why the strategies that work for most children aren't as effective for inflexible-explosive children. Then, with the help of "snapshots" from the lives of children, parents, and teachers with whom he has worked over the years, Dr. Greene lays out a sensitive, practical, effective, systematic approach to helping these children at home and school, including:

reducing hostility and antagonism between the child and adult

anticipating situations in which the child is most likely to explode

creating an environment in which explosions are less likely to occur

focusing less on reward and punishment and more on communication and collaborative problem-solving

helping the child develop the self-regulation and thinking skills to be more flexible and handle frustration more adaptively

In Explosive Child, you'll find ways to regain your sanity and optimism and rebuild the confidence to handle your child's difficulties completely and lovingly. With Dr. Greene's compassionate, expert advice and insight, you and your child will rediscover newfound hope and a relationship you can both feel good about.

What Customers Say About The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, "Chronically Inflexible" Children:

It's not a "this is what is wrong with your kid and this is how you fix it" type of a read, but more of a conversation and the author readily admits that it's kind of a crap shoot, you just have to keep whittling away at it. I don't know if this is ultimately what will be our turning point, but so far the results we've seen have been pretty amazing. Right down to room running and screaming. The author calls this a lack of skill in the "frustration tolerance and flexibility". But this book is for parents that don't mind "losing" a fight or are inflexible themselves. Because her expectations got changed abruptly and she lacked the skills to come up with another solution. I sometimes give up, get frustrated myself and invoke my own plan (or just give up and let him do what he wants). Why.

I picked this book up because the description sounded familiar and I've read and researched so much that I'm pretty much willing to read anything. He's a very sweet loving boy that loves to give kisses and hugs - yes, even at 9-years-old. It's not a perfect thing and it takes, as a parent, a LOT of commitment and patience. I like the way the information is presented. Oh thank god there are other parents out there that go through this. It's not just me. I'd rub crystals together and chant Barney songs if it would help. My son has some issues with controlling his emotions/frustrations.

I'm considering picking that up as well to see if it can give me some additional insight.I highly recommend this book if you think you have an "explosive" child on your hands. But he completely loses it. BUT when we do succeed at it, it's bliss.My son is not a bad kid (as anyone who meets him will tell you). We still have some setbacks - like a plan we agree on doesn't work or I sometimes get frustrated myself, but my husband is reading this book now and I know that once we both get the skills down, we will be successful. The remorse he goes through after a blow up and we talk it out is pretty amazing.

If I can get my son to laugh first, the whole conversation takes on a better tone and he is more willing to help me find solutions.I see he has another book or two, one for educators. This book is a definite take on the whole 'pick your battles' mentality, which, luckily, my husband and I agree on wholeheartedly. I will admit that the dialogue the author uses in the book is a bit stilted and maybe unrealistic, but maybe it's because I talk to my kids a little differently, BUT it's just examples so I've changed the wording and whatnot to fit more into our family. The opening chapter of this book starts with a girl having a complete meltdown over waffles. It's usually shortlived and he usually manages to only have meltdowns at home, which is good, he is able to control it until he feels safe.ANYWAY, this isn't about my kid, but about the book - it has made a positive impact when we are able to successfully put Plan B into motion.

So far, out of everything I've read, researched, etc - this book and this approach seems to fit his personality.I will admit that we are still struggling with the Plan B thing. I nearly started crying because that little girl sounded so familiar. I know to some people the book sounds like more of a kid that has a hard head, but it's more than that.

The book was recommended to me by my sons psychologist who has been to seminars by this author and saw a lot of similarities in the type of child it discusses. If you can identify with the children they describe then it is a good chance this could be beneficial to you. If you have a difficult child this is a must read. No book is an end all solution but this is an approach that definitly makes sense and has made a big difference in my house thus far.

Would be good and helpfull for parents whose children fit these type of behavior pattern. Well written, but only covers a specfic type of behavior. Main asumption that kids will do well if possible has some holes in the theory that are not addressed.

This book is not for those who are looking for the easy way to handle their children (if there is one), but it is uesful for parents who have tried everything. This book was an easy read and full off examples. I like that this book goes away from the "this child needs more discipline" approach because chances are parents have already done this.

More importantly, however, I think parents will find this encouraging that they are not alone and there is something they can do. This is a great book for parents of children with challenging behavior. It presents practical strategies that can be used every day.