Let's take a time-out from time-outs. Kids are going to test our limits — it's in their job description. But instead of dreading how to respond, parents can seize the opportunity to create activities that are educational and engaging.

Yes, "punishments" can be fun.

Creativity expert, professor, father and former day-care provider Rustin Wolfe applies his scientific techniques to some of life's smallest — but most exasperating — problems weekly at MinnMoms.com.

Here's one of his creative solutions:

Know when to fold 'em

Question: My daughter gets excited to wear particular outfits and messes up her neatly folded clothes in order to find them. How can I get her to stop making a mess of her dresser drawers?

Behavior: Messing up neatly folded clothes.

Problem: It's a pain to re-fold and re-stack.

Solution: Logical consequences.

Activity: One time, my son excitedly bounded up to me with two now-crumpled shirts. I pointed out that I didn't want to have to re-fold them — and he actually asked me how to fold them. He was so proud that when his mother got home, he bounded up to her with the same two shirts so he could show her his new skill. What could have been a negative experience turned very positive for both of us. In retrospect, the kids would be less likely to make a mess of things if they were involved in the initial folding as well. Even

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if they fold poorly, they need to appreciate the effort it takes to make their clothes look neat.

  • Want Rustin's solution for your child's challenging behavior? Read his bio and post a question at forums.minnmoms.com/index.php?topic=445.0. on the Naughty Column forum.

  • Read the Naughty Column archive at www.minnmoms.com/naughtycolumn.