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:

144 PROBLEMS

Question: How can I get my 5-year-old to stop making gross noises? He does it so often I swear he doesn't even realize he's doing it.

Behavior: Gross noises

Problem: Gross

Solution: Even when a logical consequence isn't evident, you can create one.

Activity: "Since you're making a mess in my ears with these noises, each time you do it, you can clean up a mess of my choosing." This will connect the undesirable behavior with an undesirable outcome (aversion). As a bonus, it will give you an excuse to have him clean up some household messes. It shouldn't take long before he thinks twice before his next fake burp.

- 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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