Creativity expert, professor, father and former day care provider Rustin Wolfe writes a weekly MinnMoms parenting advice column that uses creative punishments to put a positive spin on negative behavior.

Here's one of his creative solutions:

TIME IN A BOTTLE

Question: I've gone back to school, and I'm constantly shooing my children away while I try to study. How can I get my work done without being riddled with guilt?

Behavior: Homework.

Problem: Kids' puppy dog faces.

Solution: Structure your time.

Activity: Carve out specific days/times for your school work and stick to that schedule. If you can find time before they get up or after they go to bed, you'll avoid any direct conflict. If you have to study while they're awake, structuring your time will accomplish two key objectives. First, it will provide the children with parameters for when they can and cannot bug you. As a result, they'll require less management, and you will feel much more able to work when you need to. Second, a schedule will liberate you when you're not working. Because you have a specific time set aside for school work, you will feel less burdened being with them when it's not that time.

-- Want Rustin's solution for your child's challenging behavior? Send questions to naughtycolumn@gmail.com.

-- Read the Naughty Column archive at minnmoms.com/naughtycolumn.

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