Creating family rules

One way to make sure everyone in your family knows what behaviors are expected from one another is to have family rules. These simple steps help you establish family rules that everyone can follow. And remember dad, discipline means to teach or guide.

 

Step 1: Call a family meeting

Step 2: Say that everyone will help create family rules

Step 3: Divide a large sheet of paper or poster board into halves by drawing a line down the middle

Step 4: Label one side "do" and the other side "don't". For every don't make sure you list a do. Otherwise children only learn don'ts

Step 5: Get rules from the children. Ask what kind of rule should we have about _________? Issues might be homework, hanging up clothes, and calling home when you'll be late.

Step 6: Come up with a do and don't for each rule. For example, "Do homework before dinner, don't wait until after supper."

Step 7: Create no more than 7 rules. Too many rules can confuse children and are hard to remember.

 

This information and other helpful fathering tips can be found in our 24/7 Dad™ curricula.