Font Resize
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:
TWO KIDS AND THREE UNBROKEN ARMS
Question: As soon as we came back from the hospital with a cast on my toddler's arm, I knew I'd have trouble with my 5-year-old. What could I have done to avert his naughty overtures for attention?
Behavior: Naughty behavior to get attention.
Problem: Jealousy. Remember how envious you were of the kid in the cast when you were 5?
Solution: Put your son in position to get attention for being good.
Activity: Make efforts to include him in helping his younger sibling. He can grab things out of your reach, clear objects out of your path or even sing a song to distract the little one when necessary. Thank the 5-year-old for his help; tell him how proud you are of him. If he's not in a helpful spirit, allow him to join in on the babying. Break out an old ace bandage and wrap up his arm. Let him experience a taste of the immobility. It will teach him empathy, and it will prevent him from feeling left out. The novelty of it will wear off soon enough, and then he'll be happy that he can go back to being himself.
