In disciplining children, it’s important to set specific rules for your children. Kids need boundaries. However, don’t have so many rules that your children are overwhelmed. Once rules have been established, it’s important that parents consistently enforce them.
In our home, we had three primary rules. These rules were displayed on big pieces of poster board and could be found strategically placed throughout our house where we knew our children would see them. We’d post them on bedroom walls, on the refrigerator, and on the bathroom mirror. We made it very clear what those three rules were. We also let our kids know there were consequences for breaking them or rewards for keeping them.
THREE RULES FOR ONE FAMILY
As we’ve talked about before, each family has unique circumstances and needs. There is no one-size fits all solution, but here are some rules for one family. Use what works for you and be sure you always measure it against God’s Word.
We had three rules in our home to point out to our kids things they absolutely could not do. These rules could be found displayed throughout the house: on a big piece of poster board, on the bedroom wall, on the refrigerator, on the bathroom mirror,etc.
Rule #1: Don’t ever talk back to Mom and Dad.
I told my kids: “If you can talk back to me, you’ll talk back to your teacher. By talking back to your teacher, you’ll be in trouble all the time. Then if you start talking back to your boss, it will get you fired, and I’ll have to support you for the rest of your life.”
Rule #2: Don’t argue with your brother and sisters.
I told my children: “If you can’t get along with your brother and sisters, you won’t be able to get along with your fellow students and you’ll just stay in trouble. You’ll never be able to keep a job because you’ll always be fighting with your fellow works, and I’ll be supporting you all your life.”
Rule #3: Nobody tells a lie.
Jesus said, “I am the truth,” (John 14:6). The Word says that the devil is a liar and the father of all lies (John 8:44). Liars will be found in Hell (Revelation 21:8).
I told my children: “Even the worst sinner you’ve ever met hates a liar. Nobody – whether sinner or saint – likes a liar. But it seems the easiest thing for a human to do is to tell a lie. So always tell the truth.”
THE TAKE AWAY
Set rules and make sure your kids know what they are. Write them down and make them visible. Also, make them aware of the consequences for rules not kept, but also let them know the rewards for obedience.
How to Prepare Your Child for the Real World
DON’T FORGET TO BE FLEXIBLE
https://vimeo.com/141481304
DON’T FORGET IT’S ABOUT MORE THAN RULES
https://vimeo.com/148425585
