By Rustin Wolfe

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:

DOOR STOP

Question: I've agreed to let my 4-year-old have his door cracked open at bedtime, but every night he keeps nudging it more open, and I have to keep nudging it back. How can I end the tug of war?

Behavior: Pushing the limit.

Problem: Limit creates a barrier to help him sleep.

Solution: The key to ending the negotiating is ending the ambiguity.

Activity: Select an object (a book, box, toy, etc.) that is the right size to prop the door open at the distance you want. Use that object to prop the door open each night. The door should be flush to it. Now, there's no ambiguity. It's flush or it's not. If he can't follow a clear rule, then he can't have his door open at all.

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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