The Explosive Child A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated Chronically Inflexible Children, Ross W. Greene. (Hardcover 0060175346)

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The Explosive Child A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated Chronically Inflexible Children
Author: Ross W. Greene

We've all seen them: children who explode when they're told to do something or when things don't go their way. The ones who completely lose control and become verbally and physically aggressive. Spoiled, stubborn, manipulative children. Right? Not so fast. These labels suggest that the behavior if such children is planned and intent... more »ional, 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.

ISBN-13: 9780060175344
ISBN-10: 0060175346
Publication Date: 10/1998
Pages: 352
Rating:

Currently 3.3/5 Stars.

3.3 stars, based on 11 ratings

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

Alisa O. (Aa) reviewed The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, "Chronically Inflexible" Children on 4/13/2008

Helpful Score: 1

This book gives a very good explanation and description of the explosive child, but is short on solutions. It is all about using "Plan B" proactively, i.e., you figure out what is going to trigger your child, and then collaborate with them to find a mutually acceptable solution to the problem before it happens. Or you can use it in an "emergency" to try to diffuse the situation before they blow up. There is also a chapter about medication. I would have like to see more specific examples and advice. I still have many unanswered questions after reading this book. Overall, I would say it is worth reading, but you will be left wanting more.

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Tanya reviewed The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, "Chronically Inflexible" Children on 8/23/2005 + 16 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

This book has been an excellent help for our family. With 2 ADHD kids with Generalized Anxiety disorder and mood disorder, Greene's book helped us to construct a framework to work by and bring some order to our chaotic home.

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Rhonda K. reviewed The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, "Chronically Inflexible" Children on 6/6/2006 + 15 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

The best book I've read for parents and professionals working with kids who are easily frustrated.

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Christine K. reviewed The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, "Chronically Inflexible" Children on 12/27/2006 + 6 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

This book has great ideas and does help.

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Amy H. reviewed The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, "Chronically Inflexible" Children on 9/11/2011

I picked up this book after hearing the author on NPR. Though I am (fortunately!) not a parent of an explosive child, I'm amazed at how much the case studies in this book sound like a child I know who has been diagnosed with "alphabet soup" (ODD, ADHD and so on..). I think the author is on to something with his explanations and approach, but the work involved seems daunting. That said, if you have reached the place where you no longer like the person you are because you have an explosive child, read this book. You are not alone.

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Deborah G. (livre-ecrou) reviewed The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, "Chronically Inflexible" Children on 11/19/2010

Great book for kids with special needs. Gives new understanding to dicipline and the goal of a peaceful life with your child.

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Donna E. (impossible) reviewed The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, "Chronically Inflexible" Children on 9/28/2008 + 3352 more book reviews

Good advice - can be implemented well.

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Barbara B. reviewed The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, "Chronically Inflexible" Children on 4/16/2007

A good book for parents and teachers who have or work with very difficult to manage children. There are strategies and resources that can be helpful in dealing with a range of situations.

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