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:

BORN TO BE WILD

Question: Whenever we have company over, the kids rile each other up and someone always ends up in tears. How can I get the kids to behave?

Behavior: Wild.

Problem: Kids could get hurt, valuables could be broken and grown-ups can't relax when they have to keep one eye on the kids.

Solution: Give up on the idea of the kids playing by themselves. It's not that it can't happen. But evidently, you're not so lucky.

Activity: Typically, the wild behavior occurs because the adults want the kids to play on their own while the adults do adult things. Accept that kids need some structure and attention. Draw straws, if you must, or hire a baby sitter, but an adult should suggest a structured activity and see it through. The structured activity can be nearly anything — Legos, board games, flash cards, Simon says, hide and seek, an obstacle course — but if you want it to work, it sure helps if an adult sticks around to model it. If the adult leaves and the children aren't sufficiently engaged by the activity, they will start seeking out more 'stimulating' challenges. And that's how you got in trouble in the first place.

  • Want Rustin's solution for
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