Rules are necessary for all people. Think about how many times in the last week, you knowingly broke a rule. What was your reason? Did you convince yourself that the rule was no good or shouldn’t apply to you?

Would you want your children to know you broke the rule? If not, plan to act differently in the future. Whenever the situation permits share with your child why you are following a rule, even though it is difficult to do so. Children learn a lot by example.

This can also lead to a valuable discussion with your children about rules and how they offer a person freedom and protection. They help you know what is safe to do and by doing that you have the freedom to do all that is possible and be as creative as you want within the rule.