Wednesday, September 2, 2009

House Rules

As determined last night, dictated by each of my girls.

My six-year-old:
.1 Don't throw away plates until [the eater] says they are done.
.2 Don't hurt each other.
.3 Don't bug people.
.4 Don't lay on top of a truck.
.5 Hug people.
.6 Don't pick your nose.
.7 Don't slurp.

My four-year-old:
3. Don't pick up shoes.
4. Pick up toys in your room.
5. Pick up your house.
4. Pick up your Barbies.
5. Pick up your kitchen stuff.
3. Clean up any of your messes in the sink.
3. Always, always, always let your dog take a bath.

Rules worth living by, don't you think?

And here are my own:
Love one another.
Remember humility.
Believe in yourself.
Be yourself, with no excuses.
Whatever your favorite thing, allow it often.


What house rules would you add?

38 comments:

Rebecca Nazar said...

Make it a point to laugh.

Lori said...

I love the "pick up" series. I try to reinforce those in my house too. In vain.

Wendy Paine Miller said...

You've inspired me to have my kids write up a list. Wonder what I'll read.
I like Rebecca's. Mine would be similar...Learn to laugh at yourself.
~ Wendy

Donna M. Kohlstrom said...

Believe in yourself even if no one else does! And write with joy whether you get published or not!

Tana said...

Definitely love one another. Golden. ;)

Anonymous said...

Children:

A reminder that the simplest rules are always the best.

:D

Cindy R. Wilson said...

That's precious. Also...live for today :)

Kristen Torres-Toro said...

Hi, Janna!

How about:
-Sleep when you can.
-Always play in the sunshine and dance in the rain.

Have a great day!

Kristen Painter said...

1. Whoever finds the cat vomit cleans it up.
2. Last one out of the room turns the lights off.
3. No one talks to me when I'm writing.

Rosaria Williams said...

Just one:

CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF!

Jessica Nelson said...

Haha! I like Kristen's. LOL

Hmmm, mine would be don't stress yourself out over the little stuff, but be responsible.

I love it when kids say the rules! They say the cutest things ever!!! LOL

Susan R. Mills said...

I agree with Rebecca. Laughter is a necessity! Great post, Janna. I love your rules to live by.

JLC said...

I just asked my eldest (5). "To follow your mommy." My youngest(3) said, "To play."

:D
This was a cute post. I love all of your rules too.

Jody Hedlund said...

I can just hear your DD's saying those rules! Too cute, Janna!! :)

And I love your rules too. I have to remind myself to slow down and enjoy the beauty that surrounds me.

Deb Shucka said...

I love these rules! I think the three of you have it covered. I especially like the hug each other and dog bathing rules. :-)

Nadine said...

Put dishes in the sink and trash in the trash - still working on the hubby with that one.:)

And to remember that each day is a gift - live it to the fullest.

J.R. Johansson said...

Awesome post. I learn new rules with my kids every days too. :)

Debbie said...

I am loving the one about the dog and the bath!

Tess said...

Very cute! I'll second the suggestion to laugh

and expand it to

be able to laugh at yourself

Janna Leadbetter said...

Becca - I like that one.

Lori - I noticed a pattern, too, both with my youngest's "pick up," and with my oldest's "don't." What does that say about me? ;)

Wendy - You'll have to share your findings!

Donna - Good ones!

T. Anne - So many stem from that, you know?

Rafael - Love it. Absolutely.

Cindy - I need to take that advice much more often!

Janna Leadbetter said...

Kristen T - Hello! Can I sleep now? ;)

Kristen P - ROFL! Ew.

lakeviewer - So important. One I still struggle with.

Jessica - Excellent.

Thanks, LW!

JLC - Aw. Love 'em.

Jody - For me, too. I don't take it slow enough.

Deb - I thought about getting my husband's take, but it'd have been stuff like get lots of back rubs and eat yummy baked goods. ;)

Nadine - Important to remember. :)

Jenn - And sometimes they're so simple!

Debbie - And, of course, she wanted me to bathe our dog RIGHT THEN.

Tess - I think that's important, too! I wish I'd always thought so.

Anonymous said...

Don't lay on top of a truck?

I guess that's never good. Great list!

I'd add, "Never share your toothbrush with the dog." That one is needed in my house!
-FringeGirl

Karen said...

Always have a pen and paper handy for the wonderful wee wisdom of children. I loved it! Wish I had written more down.

Blessings*

Jill Kemerer said...

And in my house: always pick up the LEGOS!

I love the "pick up the Barbies"--how cute!

Janna Leadbetter said...

FG - I hope to never need that rule!

Karen - That reminds me, I'm due to write in their journals again. Thanks!

Jill - Legos hurt! :P

* said...

Funny, I just typed up a list of house rules for my family (especially our 4 young children) tonight, but much less original. Chores, homework, etc. I like your lists much better.

Terri Tiffany said...

I love your house rules! I would add to be thankful each day you wake up and can get out of bed--your own bed!

Tessa said...

How perfectly perfect!

Melissa Amateis said...

I love those rules!

Here's one:

Forgive one another, often and completely.

Janna Leadbetter said...

Terresa - Lists like yours will come when mine are a bit older. ;)

Terri - Another good one!

Tessa - *grin*

The Three T's!

Melissa - Ooh, difficult. But very important.

Elana Johnson said...

Work hard. Don't give up.

Great list, by the way!

Janna Leadbetter said...

Elena, love the additions! Thanks for coming by. :)

Janna Leadbetter said...

Oh no! Sorry, I misspelled. Elana!

Kathy said...

One of my rules: Spend some time with your mate. It helps make sure you stay married!

Capri K @ No Whining Allowed said...

No WHINING!!!!

Janna Leadbetter said...

Kathy - Simple yet effective. :)

Capri K - Why am I not surprised? ;)

Melanie Hooyenga said...

I love how they have life lessons mixed in with things they clearly do too often, but lay on a truck? lol.

Janna Leadbetter said...

Melanie - I have no idea where that came from. :)