If you're anything like me you don't like going into a situation without knowing what to expect. In other words I don't like surprises (unless I'm the one doing the surprising). I extend the same courtesy to our children when they 'enter' our home. There are no surprises when it comes to what is expected of the members of our family. When they were 5, 4, and 2 years old we came up with 'The King Family Rules'; for our family, by our family. Yep, we let them come up with the rules, after a detailed lesson and activity as to how to have a happy home. So in short they were guided as to what those rules should be. Of course for the younger ones we needed pictures being that they couldn't read and all! My husband and I threw on a catch all 'Obey Mom and Dad' just in case:). We've only had to add one rule since writing them five years ago and that was 'Tell the Truth' for obvious reasons. Those who break a rule spend time on the bench (an idea from Linda and Richard Eyre (http://www.valuesparenting.com/), as well as from my sister Erin Wilson), which faces the rules . Most of the time the bench is shared by more than one offender but it gets the job done. We talk about what they did wrong and how they can make it better as well as not doing 'it' again. We are yet to go a day without the bench needing to be used. We make the bench a nice area, even royal, to make sure that they understand we are teaching them to do better and be better so they can reach their greatest potential!
With Love, Nonnie
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