Claire can be a bit of a pessimist, so we've been talking with her about (a) not falling into negative thinking when something frustrates her; and (b) not doing things that actually make her own life worse (e.g., intentionally escalating arguments). This approach, to date, seems to be a near total failure. Today's conversation:
Me: "Hi, Claire. How are you?"
Claire: "Exasperated."
Me: "Why?"
Claire: "Because. Jane and Margot are annoying me."
Me: (changing subject): "So . . . how was your day?"
Claire: "Not great. I had to stay in for recess for the fourth day in a row."
Me: "Why?"
Claire: "I don't know."
Me: "Really? Didn't Ms. R say why you had to stay in?"
Claire: "Um . . . I'm not sure."
Me: [Silence. Because that answer is a complete and total lie.]
Claire: "Oh, I remember. It was for sliding down the banister at school."
Me: "Hmm. Was it the first time you did that?
Claire: "No. The tenth, I think."
Ah, the tenth time. No wonder she was so mystified that there was a consequence.
