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:

AGAIN?

Question: My daughter was sleep-trained, but since a bad cold six months ago, she needs us to come into her room every night again. How can we get her back where she was?

Behavior: Un-sleep-trained.

Problem: Everybody's exhausted.

Solution: Re-sleep-train.

Activity: It's unpleasant persuading them to be independent, but the alternative is pretty exhausting. It's common to have setbacks in sleep-training. Just when you feel like you're about to break through, they get sick and need some coddling. All that extra attention undermines your efforts. The training may go a little quicker the second go-round, but you have to accept that you're essentially starting over. I find that explaining it to them — during the day and as they go to bed — helps set the expectations. Most doctors will tell you to just let them cry it out. She doesn't need you to come into her bedroom; she wants you to come. If you elect to go in, you're not expediting the training process. A compromise may be going in after 15 minutes and after 45 minutes. Or you can make up your own schedule. But stick to it; consistency is key.

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

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