A List of House Rules For Kids That Everyone Should Have in Their Home

Are you tired of yelling at your kids and feeling like you are talking to a wall? Or maybe you are tired of repeating yourself over and over again with the same result?

Do you feel like you are going insane? Chances are you are and you need to try something different. Below is a list of house rules that every home should have.

First of all, kids are kids. Plain and simple. They do not learn cognitive reasoning until the ages of 5 to 7. In the meantime, don’t beat your head against the wall. One thing kids know how to do very early on is follow rules. In fact, kids like to know what the rules are and they like to follow them. I often hear parents say, why is my kid so good in school but a terror at home? There are many factors that play into this but one of them is the idea that there are established rules in school.

As a parent you go through many ups and downs. For instance, some days are simply better than others. Without established rules and direct consequences there becomes a lot of gray areas. For example, one of those days that you are tired, you may not scold your child for doing something he/she shouldn’t be doing. Or you may yell, but not put them in time out. This is creating inconsistent parenting and often results in confusion for children. They turn to constantly pushing the envelope to see what they can get away with.

Setting house rules early on makes it very clear what you can and cannot do. It becomes very simple. You break a house rule; you deal with the consequence. The consequence should match the punishment and be consistent.

Make sure you display the house rules in the house where the kids can see them. They may not be able to read them but they know that they exist and inherently know what they are. Once the rules are established, make sure to repeat them at least once a day and have them repeat them as you say them. I keep my house rules in the kitchen because my kids are ALWAYS in the kitchen. I try to go over the rules at lunch and dinner until they become so familiar that they can almost say them before I do.

Create rules that work with your family. It’s a good idea to keep them brief and not include too many. Also, keep them the same. Do not change any. You want to make sure that the rules will always be rules and they will always be the same.

I am completely honest when I say, this was the best thing I have done thus far. I have tried everything from money jars where I put money in when they do something good and take money out when they do something bad. Let’s just say those cute painted jars took up space on my counter and were always empty. You get the drift. Yes, it was because my kids were doing more bad then good but after realizing the “why” behind this statement it changed the way I was operating.

Also, threatening them with taking out money when the jar was empty didn’t do much for obvious reasons. I realized quickly that there were no clear-cut rules on what is good vs. expected, and what is bad vs. an accident. It was too confusing for the kids and all the wanted was money and all they were was mad when they weren’t getting any.

With setting forth house rules, they won’t get rewarded when following the rules but they will get encouragement and positive reinforcement. Rewarding them would be doing nice things for them because they are good kids in general not because they did a good thing.

Below is a list of rules that I have in my home that work for our family.

1. No Violence. This includes hitting, scratching, biting, kicking and throwing things
2. No Arguing or Talking Back. This includes speaking to friends, siblings and adults.
3. No Being Mean to Others. This includes name calling, leaving people out and pointing out things on someone.
4. No Screaming or Yelling. In other words, use inside voices when inside.
5. No Lying to Anyone. Even if you fear you will get in trouble, it is never okay to lie.
6. No Toys at the Table.
7. No Running, Climbing or Jumping inside. The house is not a playground. Do not treat it like one.
8. No Destroying the Home. If you make a mess, clean it up.
9. No Touching something that is not yours.
10. No Breaking any of the House Rules.

Always

1. Do what is asked. Period.
2. Knock on Closed Doors. Always knock before entering a room with a closed door.
3. Always Clean After You Make a Mess
4. Be Polite and Respectful to Everyone
5. Say Thank you, Please and You’re Welcome. It’s simple and goes a long way.
6. Ask to be Excused from the Table. Put your dishes away and wash up.
7. Control Your Emotions. It is okay to have emotions. It’s important to control them.
8. Lead by Example, especially if there are siblings.
9. Say Sorry When You Hurt Someone. Never have too much pride.
10. Keep Your Promises. You make a promise you keep it, no excuses

Not only will implementing house rules help you be a better mom, it really teaches children discipline without yelling. Also, there are consequences when they do not follow the rules which all and all creates a better home for all. I don’t know about you but I want raise kids that I will want to hang out with one day. Kids that grow up to be respectable adults. I am willing to put the work in even though I often feel defeated, I will not give up in teaching my kids right from wrong.

Being a mom takes hard work. Raising children is not for the weak hearted. There is no better reward in life than seeing your children grow up and be great human beings. What an accomplishment that would be.

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