“Your explanation of your child’s behavior guides your intervention.”  — Ross Greene
 
I will forever be transformed by having read, “The Explosive Child” by Ross Greene.  Poorly named, this book describes both a perspective and a process for solving behavior problems jointly with kids (all kinds, even non-explosive ones.)  His work, along with “Positive Discipline,” inspired the curriculum for my parenting mini-series: “Rewards, Punishments, and Problem Solving.”
 
It helps that there’s a simple process to follow (Greene calls his, “Collaborative Problem Solving,” and I call mine, “PESOS.”)  But even more profound is the perspective shift he recommends parents take while solving behavior problems with their kids.
 
Because how you see your child’s behavior affects how you feel, and how you feel affects how you act.  There’s some chicken and egg going on in there, for sure, but it starts with what you see, or rather, how you make sense of what you see.
 
Here’s an example:
 
Your child asks for ice cream before dinner.  You say no.  Your child breaks into full tantrum.
 
What do you see?  You might see an ungrateful child who is completely spoiled and freaks out when she doesn’t get her way.
 
What do you feel?  Irritated, disgusted, mad at yourself for raising such a spoiled child.
 
What do you do?  You tell her to knock it off and stop being such a spoiled brat.  You walk away in disgust while she tantrums even more.
 
NOW  . . . here’s another perspective on the same example:
 
Your child asks for ice cream before dinner.  You say no.  Your child breaks into full tantrum.
 
What do you see?  You could choose to see a beautifully imperfect child who is still learning and growing, and who wants to behave and do well, but something is making it hard for her.  Maybe she is feeling powerless.  Maybe she is feeling lonely and disconnected from you.  Maybe she is simply hungry.
 
What do you feel?  Curiosity.  Empathy.
 
What do you do?  You might give her a big hug.  Or ask her if she’s feeling hungry.  Or tell her that you love her and want to share ice cream with her after dinner.
 
“Your explanation of your child’s behavior guides your intervention.” And since we always want our interventions to be helpful, it’s always better to see your child as one who is trying to do well and behave nicely, but something is getting in the way. Because what you see affects how you feel, and how you feel affects how you act.
 
And as you may already know, we all do better when we feel better! Grown-ups and kids alike.
 
What shifts for you when you shift your perspective?  Please share!