Making The Perfect House Rules For Your Family

I read this article in the Huffington Post a while ago and it’s made a renaissance lately on my Facebook feed. and It was a woman who said her new rule was to never say “Hurry up” to her child. She wanted to let her child soak in the world. Or something, I don’t know. It’s ridiculous is what it is. It made me think what are our household rules.

This woman has obviously never tried to get a 2-year-old out the door. I spent 5 minutes once trying to explain to my child why we couldn’t take the broom to swimming lessons before I just grabbed the broom and threw it out in the closet. Then I picked the child up and threw her in the car. She spent all of 30 seconds crying over that broom so why did I waste 4 and a half minutes trying to rationalize with her? Have you ever tried to get a 2 year old to walk to any other room in the house? If you can do it without saying hurry up, then you are a better person than me. And apparently, you have unlimited time and patience and no other kids and nothing else to do. Ever.

Just getting my kids to a different room in the house takes 15 minutes. NOW. AT THEIR CURRENT AGES. Forget when they were toddlers! Kids take some random item that they just HAVE to have and carry it with them until they see something else. That’s why I’m in the family room and can currently see a flashlight, a headband, a diaper, 3 blankets, and a stuffed dog. Then they decide to play playdoh instead, then they have to go potty, then run into the bedroom to jump on the bed. At this point I’m crabby and I just pick them up and take them into their room so we can get dressed. And I say definitely say hurry up.

Old House Rules

When we first became parents I wanted to get a “House Rules” sign and I looked everywhere for one with rules I liked. I saw a website where you could actually design your own. I love that concept but at the time, we weren’t ready. As prepared as you might feel to parent and as sure of the rules you’ll have someday, you just truly never know until you’re in it. Some rules that I thought would be important to us, like “I’m only making one meal for everyone.” aren’t as realistic. You end up with a kid with some sensory issues and suddenly you’re making 5 different types of eggs for breakfast.

Conversely, there are rules we never thought of before that are really important: we don’t say the word “hate.” I would never have thought this would bother me so much. It really gets under our skin though, so we’ve made it a rule.

This is the sign we have right now in our kitchen. It took a long time to find it and I do love it, but I might also try to find that website where I can make my own because now I know our rules. I included rules that pertain more to society, not necessarily in our house. But I believe how you act at home reflects in the community, and vise versa. There really isn’t a clear division.

New House Rules

• Put your cart away at the grocery store.
• Include everyone. The rule at our house is “anyone who wants to play can play.”
• Try the food before you say you don’t like it.
• Try the homework before you say you can’t do it.
• Use your imagination. Hide from monsters who aren’t there and fight pretend enemies.
• Dance to music. All the music.
• Sing even if you’re the only one who can hear the melody.

Family is very important to us. We have a large, close family and we think it’s important to always say Family First.

• Family events come before friends.
• Do what your parents tell you to. I don’t need a reason.

It’s important to us to teach our children about social issues, and make sure they know they have a responsibility to their community and to this world.

• Black lives matter. We are ally’s and we will use any privilege to educate and bring awareness.
• We treat others with respect and how we want to be treated.
• Every job is important.
• No is a full sentence.
• You can love whoever you want to love.

READ RELATED BLOG POSTS: HOW TO LET GO OF PARENTING EXPECTATIONS & WHY YOU SHOULD RELAX YOUR SCREEN TIME RULES.

What are some of your house rules? Comment below so we can all learn from each other! And if you know the name of that website where you can make your own-LET ME KNOW!