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:

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Question: My little girl cries in the car, and I can't concentrate when she's crying, so I have to put her on my lap. How do I keep her in her car seat?

Behavior: Crying in car seat.

Problem: Distracting for parent.

Solution: Grin and bear it.

Activity: When it comes to safety, don't compromise. One of the more painful parts of parenting is letting them cry, but our job is to help them grow into quality adults, not to prevent them from crying. You can either keep driving and let her cry in her car seat or you can pull over, but you should not move her to your knee while driving. It's not safe, and it's not legal. And each time you let her have her way, you're encouraging her to throw the next tantrum. You can try to make the trip less scary and more desirable: You could get her toys that she plays with only in the car (to keep them special), and you could sing her favorite songs. You could reach back with one hand so she can hold your finger, or a second adult could sit in the back next to her. But do not move the car while she's anywhere inside except secured in her car seat.

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