Family Rules

When my kids were all small I needed ways to keep us all together when we went out. At one of these early outings desperate for anything to work I came up with some ingenious rules that we've repeated often to our children. There are only three rules and they are very easy to remember.

1. Listen to Mom and Dad (or any other grownup in the group that day)

2. Don't run off. We clarify that if you can not see an adult with you that day you are lost and need to ask for help. If we are in a large or very busy location (ie Disneyland) we point out what the employees look like and where they could find a police officer if applicable. The kids have all been taught if "lost" (see above) they are to find an employee/police officer and tell them "Hi my name is ________ (first & last name). I can't find my mom, her name is Liz. Could you please help me find her?"

3.  Have fun.

Last week was spring break. We were staying home, but I still wanted to have fun things to do each day (mostly because four bored kids at home would drive one mom very crazy). So on Monday we visited the Natural History Museum. It was a one of the four free days they offer each year and as you can imagine the museum was very busy. I had the kids list the rules for me. As the week continued and we went and did more fun activities I thought more and more about these rules that our family has repeated to each other so often I wonder if the kids even think about the meaning of the rules anymore.

Saturday as I was sorting through the paperwork basket in order to pay bills I found a Deseret Book catalog. The catalog had a few pages of vinyl lettering wood pretty things to hang up and beautify your house. One of these said "House Rules" and listed a hole bunch of rules like love each other and stuff. This made we wonder what I would put on a plaque for our home. What house rules do I want to ingrain in my my children so that they could remember them at any time if needed. And I thought back to the three rules we've repeated and repeated for years.

1. Listen - I want to teach them to not only listen to me but to learn to listen to their Heavenly Father.

2. Don't run off - When you've done #1 and listened. Don't run from what you've been prompted to do, even it is hard.

3. Have fun - Enjoy life. We've been taught that "Men are that they might have joy." 2 Nephi 2:25 We should embrace this concept more. We aren't here to feel bad about ourselves or our progress. We are here living life to be able to find the joy in it. To progress towards our best selves and find joy in the world and people around us. For me being able to find the joy is the only way I can truly be happy.

Maybe someday I'll get my ultimate crafty on, and find some way to post these rules on my wall for all to see. For now I'm going to keep on telling my kids to listen, not run off, and have fun.

Hope you have a great Monday!