Family-ing Rules

I’m often asked for “the rules of my family”.

I don’t have any.

I have read various rules offered by published authors, teachers, parents.

I’ve adopted 3 Principles instead.

1) Respect for people

2) Respect for property

3) Respect for resources (which is a variant on principle one and two)

In my opinion, these grow with along with the family’s maturity and cover nearly every situaiton that might require coaching, direction, disicpline or correction.

They work if your child is too. Hitting others does not show “respect for people”. Drawing on walls does not show “respect for property”. Dumping cereal all over the floor does not show respect for resources (although the dogs might disagree).

At 5, using potty words does not show respect for people. Taking apart your brother’s lego creation doesn’t show respect for property. Not wanting to play quietly while Mom finishes changing a diaper doesn’t show respect for resources (Mom’s time is a resource).

At 12, making prank phone calls from a friends’ cell phone shows disrespect for all 3 principles. Ask me how I know.