Application:

This might relate to a situation where the child was not thought about properly, but could not elicit a response from the parents that would have focused them to see the child’s feelings and thoughts as these were at the time.

Activity:

The therapist suggests some ways of responding that the child may not have thought of during the moment. For example, the therapist might say:
"When your mom was talking about your room being messy, I saw you start to get upset. I wonder what might have happened if instead you…"

Purpose:

The purpose is not to correct the experience but to encourage flexibility in the child’s behaviour repertoire in relation to this type of experience. This activity can also be used with parents in the absence of the child.