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:

IT'S OK TO [MAKE HIM] CRY

Question: When I asked my 2-year-old to stop climbing on the couch, instead of stopping, he smirked and called for everyone to watch. How can I get him to listen?

Behavior: Climbing on furniture

Problem: Dangerous, damaging, disrespectful

Solution: If he's doing it for an audience, remove him from the audience.

Activity: No threats, no yelling, just remove him. His demeanor will change pretty quickly once he's not able to show off, and it's OK if it involves tears. I find that the Supernanny's one minute per year of age guideline is pretty effective. Two minutes feels like an eternity to a 2-year-old. While away, you can discuss how things will change once he's allowed to return, and you can add age appropriate conditions, such as straightening the pillows he messed up, to get him doing something more constructive.

  • 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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