Rules


As your children mature, rules need to be revised. You want your rules to be logical, fair, reasonable, and truthful. Parents can make rules out of convenience for themselves. Sometimes they make rules to satisfy their need for control or to eliminate their own fears.

When your child breaks one of your rules be careful not to attack their character. Make their "character" off limits. A parent can point out wrong actions. It's important to make a distinction between behavior and character.

Example of pointing out wrong behavior: "You did wrong when you took those cookies."

Example of attacking character:

"You're a thief because you took those cookies."