If you could make a rule that everyone at your school or everyone in your family had to follow, what rule would you make? Why would you make that rule?
Answers
I don't know the answer but here is some basic structure↓below↓ that can help you
Family rules help create structure. A family rule is a specific, clear statement about behaviors you expect from your child. Rules work best when there is consistency, predictability, and follow-through.
Why are family rules important?
Family rules help children understand what behaviors are okay and not okay. As children grow, they will be in places where they have to follow rules. Following rules at home can help children learn to follow rules in other places. It is normal for children to break rules and test limits. Consistent follow through with consequences when rules are broken help your child have a clear understanding about the importance of rules. Remember, young kids sometimes break rules because they simply forget. Not all broken rules occur because kids are testing the limits. But, our responses should be the same no matter what the reason for breaking the rule.
Why should all family members know and follow the rules?
For family rules to work well, everyone needs to know, understand, and follow the rules. By doing this, children don’t get mixed messages about what is okay or not okay. For example, you know screen time should be limited for young children and you want dinner time to be family time so you set a family rule that no screens are allowed during dinner time. If another caregiver checks their phone during dinner, your child may be confused. Your child’s behavior will be better if all caregivers support the rules in the same way. This is true for parents, grandparents, or any other caregivers in your child’s life.
How can all family members get on the same page about rules?
There are several steps that can help all family members be consistent. Parents or caregivers can:
talk about what rules would help their family and agree which ones to set
post the rules in the house so everyone can know them
talk with other adults who care for their children about the rules to make sure everyone knows what is allowed and not allowed
ask all caregivers to be consistent in monitoring and enforcing the rules
remind children about the rules by repeating and posting them in the home
What is a good number of family rules for toddlers and preschoolers?
The number of rules you set depends on your child’s ability to understand and remember. It is also hard for parents to consistently enforce lots of new rules. For young children, focus on only two or three of the most important rules at any one time. As your child learns a rule and is following it consistently, you can add new rules.
Steps for Creating Family Rules
Family rules help create structure because children know what behaviors are okay and which ones are not okay. The steps for creating family rules are below