Setting Household Rules for Children

Responsibility

• Parents often set household rules for children so they learn to behave responsibly in and out of the home. According to the article, "When Rules Are Better Than Love," on the Psychology Today website, children of parents who make rules and set reasonably high expectations tend to exhibit appropriate behavior. Some household rules are age-appropriate. For example, you can't ask your preschooler to vacuum the living room carpet or take out the trash. But you can ask her to clean her room and help clear the dishes after dinner. Other household rules such as respect, kindness, consideration and honesty apply to children of all ages.

Safety

• Household rules reinforce safety so children avoid potentially harmful situations. According to CircleofParents.org, rules such as no biting, no hitting, no playing in the street, no playing with fire, no running in the house and wearing a helmet to ride bikes encourage safety in the home. If your children are teenagers, rules concerning curfews, driving privileges and dating guidelines help ensure their safety. When parents are out of the house, rules about answering the door or the telephone also protect children and teenagers from possible danger.

Electronics

• Cell phones, computers, televisions, electronic tablets, video games and portable music players have their place in the home, but parents need to set rules so electronics don't consume family time. Students have schoolwork, so electronics must be used responsibly so they don't interfere with homework. Parents might set a certain time limit for electronic usage or allow electronics during certain times of the day. For example, parents might set the rule that electronics are off-limits after bedtime.

Sharing

• A balanced home life requires each person to respect the other's needs, without dominating or abusing family resources. Rules that encourage sharing and "give and take" help children work together as a team. Parents may need to set rules concerning bathroom time, food consumption, going into a sibling's room, household chores and noise levels. A family is similar to a small community, so everyone must contribute to the well-being of the entire group so no one feels like he got the short end of the deal.