Maintain an unsolved problems list
Write down recurring triggers so they become solvable problems rather than repeated emergencies.
Key takeaways
- What it is: Write down recurring triggers so they become solvable problems rather than repeated emergencies.
- Why it works: Explosions cluster around specific, predictable situations — the same transition, the same homework demand, the same sibling conflict. Without documentation, each explosion feels new and is handled reactively. A written list converts recurring triggers into named, workable problems that can be addressed proactively — shifting the adult from firefighter to problem-solver.
- Evidence: Established clinical or therapeutic practice.
- Avoid: Treating each explosion as a unique, unpredictable event rather than noticing the predictable trigger situations — which leaves the unsolved problem intact.
Why it works
Explosions cluster around specific, predictable situations — the same transition, the same homework demand, the same sibling conflict. Without documentation, each explosion feels new and is handled reactively. A written list converts recurring triggers into named, workable problems that can be addressed proactively — shifting the adult from firefighter to problem-solver.
How to do it
- 1After any explosion, write the trigger situation (not the behavior) in a list: "Asked to turn off screen before finishing level."
- 2Review the list weekly to spot patterns — time of day, type of demand, particular settings.
- 3Prioritize two or three for proactive Plan B rather than trying to solve everything at once.
- 4Remove items from the list when the collaborative solution has held for two to three weeks.
What the evidence says
Clinical practiceSystematic problem identification is a foundational step in behavioral and cognitive-behavioral parent-training programs; it converts reactive crisis management into structured intervention.
Honest caveat: The specific practice of maintaining a written unsolved-problems list is a Greene framework recommendation; the broader principle of systematic functional behavioral assessment has strong clinical support.
Common mistake
Treating each explosion as a unique, unpredictable event rather than noticing the predictable trigger situations — which leaves the unsolved problem intact.
IX Coach tracks incident patterns across sessions and surfaces the most frequent unsolved problems, helping you prioritize which to address first with Plan B.
Practice this with IX Coach →