A book called Love Bombing by the psychologist Oliver James found me. It offers an opportunity to "reset the emotional thermostat" of your child. This involves spending a period of time alone with your child, offering him or her unlimited love and control. You explain to your child that the two of you are going to spend time together, one to one, and have a lot of fun. Your child decides what he wants and when he wants it, within reason. You give the message that this is going to be a Big Event: It's Coming Soon ... How Exciting! The child then draws up a list of things to do. It doesn't matter what it involves: the key is that your child has chosen it. I thought this sounded worth a go.