General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Can You Call a 9-Year-Old a Psychopath? [View all]Taitertots
(7,745 posts)"Hearing Michael on the stairs, Miguel said, Uh oh! and whisked Jake out of the chair.
He wasnt fast enough. Seeing the video playing, Michael gave a keening scream, then scanned the room for the guilty party. His gaze settled on Allan. Grabbing a wooden chair, he hoisted it overhead as though to do violence but paused for several seconds, giving Miguel a chance to yank it away. Shrieking, Michael ran to the bathroom and began slamming the toilet seat down repeatedly. Dragged out and ordered to bed, he sobbed pitifully. Daddy! Daddy! Why are you doing this to me? he begged, as Miguel carried him to his room. No, Daddy! I have a greater bond with you than I do with Mommy! For the next hour, Michael sobbed and screamed, while Miguel tried to calm him. In the hall outside his room, Miguel apologized, adding that it was an unusually bad night. "
He isn't punishing Michael for his behavior, but rewarding him with positive attention to "calm him". He is teaching him to manipulate people.
"What you saw, that was the old Michael, he continued. He was like that all day long. Kicking and hitting, slamming the toilet seat. But he also noted that Allan had provoked Michael, at one point taunting him for crying. He loves to poke at him when he can, Miguel said. "
Creating excuses to justify his behavior.