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:

DOWNWARD SPIRAL

Question: Once things begin to spiral out of control, it doesn't seem like anything works. How many missed desserts will it take to get through to him?

Behavior: Threatening to hit although he doesn't actually do it, and just generally acting obstinate.

Problem: Escalating bad behavior unabated by escalating punishments.

Solution: Change the context.

Activity: Have him take a break from whatever it is he's doing. That's right — this is what the horribly overused time-out is actually for. But taking a break is not the same as abandoning him in his room. Take him away from where he is and what he is doing, and away from the people who are watching. Get him one-on-one, ideally with someone who wasn't involved in the prior escalations (think: good-cop, bad-cop). Then, ask him what his deal is and what you should expect were you to allow him to return. In this new context, where there's no audience to impress, you'll have a much better chance at breaking the downward spiral.

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

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