Make It Easy
Make It Easy
We have been talking about making your kids successful grownups. A reader wrote and asked if I had any guidelines that she could use to keep the peace around the house. The following is a compilation of rules we had when I was a kid. Rules for
’round the houseMy husband and I changed them for our blended household and have had them posted from the beginning of our relationship. When the kids had problems with each other, we would bring the rules into the family meeting and have them read the rules out loud.
House rules
>> We love you and we want you to have a happy life.>> If you learn these rules, you will be happy and we will all get along better!
>> If you turned it on -- turn it off.
>> If you opened it -- close it.
>> If you break it -- admit it and fix it if you can.
>> Do not take what is not yours.
>> If it's not yours, and you want to use it, ask to borrow it.
>> If you borrow it -- take good care of it and give it back when you said you would.
>> If it's not your closet, drawer, cabinet, CD player, pager or purse -- leave it alone.
>> If you hurt someone, even if it was an accident, say you're sorry.
>> Share.
>> Respect each other -- be kind, don't criticize, hit or push.
>> Do your chores.
>> Always say, "please," "Thank you," "I'm sorry," "May I," "Excuse me."
>> Please don't talk with your mouth full.
>> Homework before TV.
>> Do not talk bad about other people.
>> Speak only love.
>> Do not tattletale on each other.
>> No carrying stories from one house to the other.
>> Respect the privacy of others.
>> Love each other.
>> Forgive each other.
>> Thank you for your cooperation.
>> We love you.
Beth Terry is president of Pacific Rim Seminars.
This column is excerpted from her upcoming book,
101 Ways to Make Your Life Easier. Send questions
on management, customer service and other issues
to beth@bethterry.com.