We have ten general rules of our home. Not so much rules about specifics (tv, computers, dress, etc.. )but general rules to live by.
Family Rules
1. Always honor God with your actions, words and work.
2. Do not compromise your charactor for anyone or anything.
3. Show respect to all everyone, even if they do no deserve respect at the moment.
4. Your education is your job and your future. Take it seriously.
5. Do chores without complaint and with a servant's heart. All chores must be completed prior to doing your own thing. Volunteer to help other family members. Ask what you can do to help. Do not wait for them to ask you.
6. Be accountable. You WILL make mistakes. Own them and then do what you can to put things to right.
7. Be responsible. There are people who worry about you. Keep in contact, tell them your plans and call when plans change.
8. Trust that your parents have some experience you do not. Listen to their advice with an eagerness to learn and an open mind to another's perspective. You don't have to agree with them, but do take care to formulate an "Informed" opinion. Listen, learn and do your own research.
9. Don't be afraid to ask questions. The only stupid question is the one that is never asked.
10. Don't complain about your problems, ask what you can do about them and then take action.
With my kids' personalities we've always had to be extremely clear with our rules and have even clearer consequences because they pushed the boundaries on both constantly! I have to admit that rules have changed as they got older, but they've also loosened and gotten fewer. Now it's more social than behavioral. Respect is still the biggy, for themselves AND others. Treat yourself right, don't put yourself in difficult situations, and be aware of others around you. School comes first, that is their job and everything else is a privledge depending on how well they do in school. They ARE expected to go to College and are expected to fulfill requirements to meet that goal. I'm not a curfew hound, it's set by what's going on, but that will change once she gets more freedom I'm sure. If you bring your friends into my house, you are expected to make sure they know and follow our rules (no food upstairs, be polite to parents, no half naked girls running around because I have a 16 yr old son in the house).
This was a hard question for me because I've never sat down and thought "What are our rules" they've always just sort of evolved or always been there without thinking about it. But some that I can think of are:
1. School is a priority and some kind of post secondary training is required. Preferably University but if she came up with another logical plan then I am open to that.
2. Treat everyone with respect. You don't have to like everyone but you treat others
We don't have formal rules, which is probably why they annoy me so much. I am finding my parenting is sub-par at best.
Mt kids do know:
School is first.
If you join something NO QUITTING. You have to follow through because people are counting on you.
Keep your stuff picked up, not too good about following through on that. I end up doing it. Could use advice on that one.
No hitting or bad talking each other. We are a family and that is the most important thing!! We should feel safe and loved in our home. There are enough bad people outside to hurt us!!
My biggest hang up when disciplining is making them sad. I hate to hurt them. I need to toughen up.
Wow I hadn't really thought about this before either. We really only have one rule and that is you treat others the way you want to be treated. If you don't, others aren't going to want to be around you or be able to trust you
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We have ten general rules of our home. Not so much rules about specifics (tv, computers, dress, etc.. )but general rules to live by.
Family Rules
1. Always honor God with your actions, words and work.
2. Do not compromise your charactor for anyone or anything.
3. Show respect to all everyone, even if they do no deserve respect at the moment.
4. Your education is your job and your future. Take it seriously.
5. Do chores without complaint and with a servant's heart. All chores must be completed prior to doing your own thing. Volunteer to help other family members. Ask what you can do to help. Do not wait for them to ask you.
6. Be accountable. You WILL make mistakes. Own them and then do what you can to put things to right.
7. Be responsible. There are people who worry about you. Keep in contact, tell them your plans and call when plans change.
8. Trust that your parents have some experience you do not. Listen to their advice with an eagerness to learn and an open mind to another's perspective. You don't have to agree with them, but do take care to formulate an "Informed" opinion. Listen, learn and do your own research.
9. Don't be afraid to ask questions. The only stupid question is the one that is never asked.
10. Don't complain about your problems, ask what you can do about them and then take action.
stacy
With my kids' personalities we've always had to be extremely clear with our rules and have even clearer consequences because they pushed the boundaries on both constantly! I have to admit that rules have changed as they got older, but they've also loosened and gotten fewer. Now it's more social than behavioral. Respect is still the biggy, for themselves AND others. Treat yourself right, don't put yourself in difficult situations, and be aware of others around you. School comes first, that is their job and everything else is a privledge depending on how well they do in school. They ARE expected to go to College and are expected to fulfill requirements to meet that goal. I'm not a curfew hound, it's set by what's going on, but that will change once she gets more freedom I'm sure. If you bring your friends into my house, you are expected to make sure they know and follow our rules (no food upstairs, be polite to parents, no half naked girls running around because I have a 16 yr old son in the house).
Denise
This was a hard question for me because I've never sat down and thought "What are our rules" they've always just sort of evolved or always been there without thinking about it. But some that I can think of are:
1. School is a priority and some kind of post secondary training is required. Preferably University but if she came up with another logical plan then I am open to that.
2. Treat everyone with respect. You don't have to like everyone but you treat others
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We don't have formal rules, which is probably why they annoy me so much. I am finding my parenting is sub-par at best.
Mt kids do know:
School is first.
If you join something NO QUITTING. You have to follow through because people are counting on you.
Keep your stuff picked up, not too good about following through on that. I end up doing it. Could use advice on that one.
No hitting or bad talking each other. We are a family and that is the most important thing!! We should feel safe and loved in our home. There are enough bad people outside to hurt us!!
My biggest hang up when disciplining is making them sad. I hate to hurt them. I need to toughen up.
Wow I hadn't really thought about this before either. We really only have one rule and that is you treat others the way you want to be treated. If you don't, others aren't going to want to be around you or be able to trust you
Linda
mom to
Alex (16), Rachel (14), Matthew (12)
No food or drinks allowed on the new couches, but you may eat carefully on the leather chairs.
Dry off before you come in from the pool, and no sitting on wooden chairs in bathing suits.