I read this post a while back on Rants From Mommyland, and was inspired to ask my kids what they thought our family rules should be. Warning: If you do this, your kids are probably going to say the opposite of whatever you’ve taught them. Because that’s how parenting works: You spend years instilling core values, only to have them fly out the window when they get the freedom to eat cookies for breakfast.
A few things happened while we were writing up our rules. Firstly, I realized that Smush has no idea what a rule is.
Secondly, Punkin pretty much took the opposite of whatever I tell her, and made it a rule. Super. It’s always encouraging to know that the almost-decade you’ve spent training, teaching, encouraging, and disciplining is probably going to fly out the window. I place emphasis on healthy eating, and don’t just stick with, “Eat your vegetables.” I teach the girls about nutrition, why it’s important, how different foods help our bodies. This is all clearly evidenced in the very first rule the girls thought of.
Lastly, Goo surprised me, and not only did she echo some of my own rules, but she centered hers around quality family time. No idea where she gets that from.
I strongly encourage you to ask your own kids what they think family rules should be. It’s not just good for a laugh, but may actually give you a glimpse that you’re maybe doing something kind of right. Except for the ones that are opposite your actual rules. Those may need some work.
- Eat ice cream every single day. But not on hot days because it melts.
- Don’t paint on the walls.
- Umm, I want pink.
- Do whatever you want before you do your homework.
- Go fishing, because we never get to go fishing.
- Umm, lots of yucky things. But I don’t like worms.
- We can snuggle whenever we want.
- I like cookies and marshmallows.
- You have to read for at least 30 minutes every day.
- Go to Grandma’s for sleepovers all the time. And go to Meema and Peepa’s all the time, too.
Nobody mentioned violence, Bratz dolls, or boy bands, so I think I can give myself a pat on the back for this one.
