So...the outcome of every choice you make in life is a consequence.  Sometimes those consequences are good.  Sometimes those consequences are bad. 

Some people make choice after choice which pile on the consequences until they can find a way in their own mind to rationalize why the situation they are in is the fault of others.

This is the case of Younger Boy tonight.  He had therapy.  The ENTIRE session focused on a single topic.  Why did he take a knife to school?

Therapist J never got an answer.  He got a lot of irrational blame about how everyone always interrupts Younger Boy and Assistant Principal has been wanting to suspend him and you name it...there was blame to go around for everyone.

Therapist J and I came up with every possible reason we could think of for Younger Boy taking a knife to school.  He finally said "What if I did it so I would get suspended?  I'm a failure anyway."

For Younger Boy this is a self-fulfilling prophecy.  He makes choices based on the fact that either everyone is out to get him or already hates him.  He behaves in such a way that failure is almost guaranteed.

Again tonight he told Therapist J that he isn't going to try at anything.  Especially if it is something I want him to do.

We also talked at length about a proper apology.  Therapist J pointed out to Younger Boy that he has NEVER heard him apologize in a way other than with an angry tone of voice.  He told him he wouldn't ever accept that kind of apology.  That really made Younger Boy mad.  At that point he said no one in his entire life had EVER accepted one of his apologies anyway so what difference did it make.

It was a LONG session.  Nothing got accomplished.

Praises for a patient therapist.  I was about to be pushed over the edge.