Rules…Rules…Rules
You must be SITTING DOWN (we say “”on your bottom””) when you eat a snack. This is my favorite one b/c clean-up is a snap. No trails of goldfish all over the house… (Funny aside: My two-year-old is so familiar with this rule that whenever she sees anyone eating something she wants, she immediately drops to her bottom on the floor!) –jenna
Everyone sits down together for dinner. It may not always be relaxed but it gives us quality time and everyone shares a high and low for their day. Even our 3 year old is excited to share her favorite activity of the day. –rachael
We have the three bite rule at the dinner table. You must take three bites of a food you say you don’t like, before you can determine whether you like it or not. In most cases, my children decide they like what they are eating and aren’t sure why they started with. “”I don’t like that.”” Now I see them sharing this with their friends….””You know you should try something three times before you say you don’t like it.”” I just smile. –shelli
3-5 Year olds: Can only turn on the TV if you get dressed, and brush your teeth and hair, all by yourself! 1/2 hour of computer time after you write your ABC’s and/or practice your numbers. –meredith
I have tried to teach my children the value of money so therefore, my ‘household rule’ is that when I take my teenager’s clothes shopping, if the item is on sale I will buy it for them, if its not on sale they must pay for half, using their allowance, baby sitting money etc. It has encouraged them to look for things on sale, a very good household habit! –carol
1. When asked to do a chore, if any complaining occurs, another chore is added. 2. A “”Help Wanted”” poster is mounted to the refrigerator and jobs are available for a payment. Sweep Stairs pays $2, Wash Car $9, etc. These are over and above the regular no payment chores that they do. It’s a fun way to earn money! –lynn
Blaming some rules of the house literally on the house. “”The house doesn’t like it when we draw on the walls.”” “”The house doesn’t like it when we yell so loud.”” Blaming the house works better than always saying, “”Stop yelling.”” etc. It works well outside the house too. –kathy
If my child’s request comes with a whiney voice the answer is automatically “”NO”” even if I would have said “”yes”” otherwise! Works well to prevent wining! –gaylene
No TV during the school week M-ThClean dishes put away before 5:00pm.Must choose a music, art or sports activity to be involved in. Sunday morning is always reserved for worship. Computer instant messaging/playing and loud music off by 9pm. No sleepovers two nights in a row. NEVER share hairbrushes. –corinne
Our most “”obeyed”” rule is that there are to be no shoes worn on the carpet. We have baskets to put our shoes in by the front door, back sliding door and the garage door into the family room. Each basket also has a small box of baby wipes to wipe off any dirty feet, and the basket in the garage also has a bottle of Spray and Wash to wipe off any tar from the beach. Each basket is als lined with coordinating fabric to match the room that it is located in! It has become such a habit, and a carpet saver, that even my two year old has the routine of removing shoes when entering down! –jennifer
Always take your shoes off when coming into the house, washing hands before eating, saying please and thank you, brushing teeth 2 times a day, and most importantly, flushing and putting the toilet seats down so I don’t fall in when I go!! These few rules help keep our son healthier and feeling good about himself. –holly
Before my girls get in the tub they must use the potty to avoid “”accidents”” while bathing. –cheryl
10-Min Tornado Before Meals (that is to run around and pick up and put away things before getting to eat.) –krista
No video games in the morning, not even Saturday or Sunday morning.
Both boys need to pick up their toys as soon as they are done playing with them (this usually needs many reminders my boys are 5 and 7). – Mercedes
Clean up all the toys in the family room before we have movie night! Everyone cooperates and even the baby sings the “”clean-up”” song! –lisa
Before bringing out a new game or new toys, please put the ones your playing with away first. –rachel
Put bib in hamper after meals – We don’t throw books – We don’t hit. –nicole
If it’s left out at the end of the night, it winds up in “”the box””. If you’re missing something, and don’t know where it is, check the box. But, once you check the box, EVERYTHING in it must be put back where it belongs. If anything is left in the box, they are donated to Goodwill. –leon
My 4 year old doesn’t nap anymore, but she does have quiet time in her room every day. She used to make such a mess of her toys, until I made the rule that her room had to be clean before quiet time could be over. At first she complained when she had a lot to clean up, but she quickly learned to put one thing away before taking out another. Now her room is clean and we don’t waste family time cleaning it up! –adrienne
If my son (3 years) takes a toy away from his sister (1 year), he has to give her something else to play with instead. –sheri
In our house, the toy box is brimming with toys. We even have toys stored away. He takes great care of his toys and they seem to last forever, soooo… We have a rule. Everytime that he gets a new toy, he needs to make room for it by choosing one of equal size to give away to needy families. It helps to keep things less cluttered. This way, he learns to value what he has and the joy of giving. –hortencia
You have to pick up whatever you were using before you begin something else. –mikah
