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:

FRUIT SLEUTH

Question: How can we get our daughters to eat their fruit?

Behavior: Won't eat fruit.

Problem: Need fruit for proper nutrition.

Solution: Make it into a game.

Activity: I must confess — this one's my wife's, but that means it's half mine, right? She challenges the children to a blind taste test. She calls it Fruit Sleuth. The children close their eyes, and she selects an item to pop into their mouths. Then, they have to try to guess what they're eating. It's pretty important that you don't pull a bait-and-switch, but so long as they understand what foods will be in play, it's a great way to get them to eat some of what they wouldn't pick on their own.

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

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