Book Review – The Explosive Child

The Explosive Child

A New Approach to Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated and Chronically Inflexible Children
(A revised version of this book is scheduled for release May 20, 2014)

The Explosive Child is a book I find myself recommending to parents so frequently that I thought it might be worth reviewing here. Written by Ross Greene, Ph.D., a psychology professor at Harvard Medical School, The Explosive Child: A New Approach to Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated and Chronically Inflexible Children, offers a compassionate and functional approach to understanding children who react explosively to everyday frustrations. The volatility and inflexibility of these children can require a tremendous amount of energy from their parents, interfere with sibling relations, and, worse, drain the joy from family life.

In his book, Greene discusses what underlies explosive behavior. He argues that “children will do well if they can” and postulates that while explosive children often feel bad about their behavior and are motivated to change, deficits in specific skills make it difficult for them to behave more appropriately. Much as a child with a learning disability wants to read but finds the task difficult without extra help, explosive children also need additional support to develop the skills needed to manage their world. Greene presents an alternative approach to discipline that focuses on teaching children these skills rather than punishing their behavior.

Although Greene’s case studies often involve children with psychiatric diagnoses, his approach to the issues underlying explosive behavior can be effectively applied to helping children with mild to moderate issues as well. Greene’s strength is his theoretical framework that allows parents to better understand their children’s struggles and to empathize with them rather than view them as defiant adversaries. This shift can be pivotal in creating a happier, more harmonious family life and supporting positive parent-child relationships for years to come.

Nancy H. Sedlack, Ph.D. is a clinical child psychologist working as a parenting consultant at Stamford Pediatrics. She would be happy to meet you to further discuss this book or any other issues concerning your children. You can reach her at Stamford Pediatrics (203) 655-3307.