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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:
NO MORE TEARS
Question: How can I get my son to stop crying?
Behavior: Crying
Problem: Is crying really a problem? What's the harm?
Solution: Generally, you're better off letting them cry it out. If you need to intervene, make them smile.
Activity: One time when my son cried, I looked at him and in a very serious tone said, 'Oh, no! Don't cry — your makeup will run.' He looked at me puzzled. I explained that he was supposed to say he wasn't wearing any. He laughed, paused, and then started to cry again. At which point, I repeated, 'Oh, no! Don't cry — your makeup will run.' And he replied smiling, 'But I'm not wearing any!' If you'd like to prepare something in advance, Arnold Lobel, author of the 'Frog and Toad' books, wrote a short story, 'Tear-Water Tea' in 'Owl at Home' (1975). In it, Owl uses his tears to make a very special tea. Once you've read this to your child, you've laid the groundwork. The next time he cries, go get a tea kettle for him to use to catch his tears. He'll be so excited for the special tea that he won't be able to produce the necessary tears.
