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:

LET'S DO THE TWIST

Question: When my son gets the slightest injury, he screams and cries as if he's being tortured. How can I get him to calm down.

Behavior: Boo-boo melodrama.

Problem: Embarrassing for parent.

Solution: Distract him by playing the overly concerned fool.

Activity: Take a look at the skinned knee, shake your head and say, 'Oh, no. Now we're gonna to have to get a new one.' Then grab his leg firmly (not the injured part) and pretend to try to twist the whole thing off. Ignore him at first as he tries to explain that his leg doesn't unscrew. As you're struggling, narrate, 'I'm having... trouble... getting it off.' And add flavor, 'Once we get it, though, we'll head straight to the store to get a new one. Would you like a similar one or something different? How about one made out of stone? Then it won't scrape so easily.' Soon enough, he'll be giggling, 'No, silly, stone doesn't bend.' And then you'll know you've got him back.

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

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