by M. J. Joachim

Created on: February 02, 2009

Rules That Set Us Free

Rules are important in every environment. They keep us safe, set our boundaries, and teach us responsibility. There are rules of the road, school rules, bicycle rules, club rules, and house rules. All of these give us parameters to guide our behavior, helping us live up to the expectations in a variety of situations.

Many rules are specific only to certain groups and situations. Some rules are mandatory for everyone to follow. House rules have a tendency to include both group rules and mandatory rules. Parents who make house rules need to ensure the safety and well being of everyone. Their rules must be considerate of the youngest child who needs a caregiver, and the oldest grandparent who uses a walker.

Safety First

Rules that keep us safe rarely get adjusted. They are put in place to prevent accidents. They are also made to help us use good judgment when an undesirable situation develops. These house rules are not likely to be adjusted when a babysitter visits.

Children are not allowed to answer the door.

No one is to tell a stranger on the phone that your parents aren't home.

Use the buddy system. No one is allowed to play outside alone.

The oven and stove are not to be used without parental supervision.

All doors and windows should be secured and locked, especially after dark.

Running is an outside activity.

Use your inside voice inside, and your outside voice outside.

Slippery messes must be cleaned up right away.

Safety rules are mandatory. They need to be obeyed at all times, and in every situation. Because each home and environment is different, rules will be made independently, according to the needs of those abiding by them.

Respecting Personal Space with Boundaries

Children are as unique as their parents. Some respond well to time out, while others need to be redirected when acting inappropriately. One child may have the ability to calm himself when upset, while another must be cuddled until he can think straight. Rules pertaining to personal space and boundaries fluctuate with different caregivers. These rules may be adjusted according to each one's personality to achieve the desired outcome.

If you don't eat all your dinner, you get nothing else until morning.

A strict bedtime.

Television time allotment.

Discipline strategies.

Because each caregiver has their own way of doing things, it is not acceptable to expect a babysitter to act as we do with our own children. Babysitters are there to keep our child safe, and give them security in our absence. They are not there to replace us. Babysitters need to feel comfortable with the rules and restrictions they implement. Otherwise tension and chaos may be the result.

Responsible Behavior

Safety rules and respecting personal boundaries usually have the effect of making a fun, happy environment. Once in a while though, something happens. A rule may have been broken. The dog may have gotten excited, causing everyone else to over react. The electricity might have gone out from a storm. When the unexpected happens, everyone, especially the babysitter, is expected to act responsibly. These rules should be obeyed by everyone, even parents.

Follow all safety guidelines regarding fire drills, strangers, illness, etc.

Never tell a lie.

Admit mistakes readily and quickly.

Accept consequences for poor behavior, and learn from it.

The importance of responsible behavior cannot be overstated. By adhering to the rules of responsible behavior, we make our world a better place. Mistakes will happen. That's to be expected. Responsible behavior allows us the freedom to learn from those mistakes, and make better decisions in the future.

Learn more about this author, M. J. Joachim.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.