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:

STIR CRAZY

Question: What can I do for my kids on a rainy day?

Behavior: Stir crazy.

Problem: Tears are inevitable unless you can focus their energy.

Solution: They need to be active without breaking anything.

Activity: If you don't want to leave the house to go to a library, museum, zoo or an indoor park, how about blowing up some balloons? I try to keep some on hand at my home for just such emergencies. They're not a huge investment. You should be able to purchase a bag of balloons at most grocery stores for around $2. Old balloons dry out, become brittle and pop, so I store them in a Ziplock bag to keep them fresh. They're a nice ace in the hole for play dates, as well. Just be sure you're clear about the house rules.

  • 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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