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:

FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT

Question: My 7-year-old argues with everything I say. He says things like, 'You're not the boss of me' and, 'It's a free country.' How can I get him to listen?

Behavior: Argues instead of listens.

Problem: Need him to listen.

Solution: Don't get pulled into a debate. You're the parent, and this is not a constitutional issue.

Activity: Instead, calmly reiterate your instructions. Explain what will happen if the instructions are followed and if they are not. Then provide a timeline for completion. At this point, you're done. There's no need to get upset — just let things play out. Allow him to make his decision and to suffer the consequences of that decision. Let him know where he stands in relation to the objectives and the timeline. If he does what he's supposed to do, thank him. If he doesn't, follow through on your threats. The key is to frame it the way you want rather than allowing him to frame it the way he wants.

  • 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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