Spin off from Another question...Posting Rules

I have a very basic set of house rules posted on the back of the front door. My kids have lots of friends over, and whenever a new kid comes over I go over the rules, and when there are problems I refer to the rules.
This is what I have:

House Rules

Treat others as we would like to be treated.
Keep our hands to ourselves.
Ask before doing.
Use indoor voices.
Clean up after ourselves.
Do as we are told.
Treat our property with respect.

Nothing earth shattering. Just reminders.

I did this when my oldest son was small and completely forgot about it until this question, so thanks for the stroll down memory lane!

Our was posted on the outside of his bedroom door because he played in the room next to that. We lived in an apartment and I needed to remind him a lot to be quiet, so this was a more positive way to do that. I don't remember everything but it was something like the following, with certain words colored and the rest of it in black text:

- We are KIND to each other
- We use GENTLE touch
- We use SOFT voices and QUIET feet
- We CLEAN UP our own messes
- We do our WORK FIRST so we can PLAY AFTER
- We tell the TRUTH
- We are RESPONSIBLE for what we have and what we do

We also had morning and evening routines posted on the same door. We came up with the rules together and we were both accountable to them - if I raised my voice or was sharp with him, he'd point to the rules on the door. Live by the sword, die by the sword, right?

It's tongue-in-cheek humour, but my one of my fest friends, who's my son's Godfather, got me a plaque when my son was born. I follow it pretty close to the letter, with a few amendments:

Mom's Rules:

If I COOK it--------------------You EAT it. Amended to try a bite first always, and then tell me exactly why you do not like it, so we can make it different next time. Play games with me regarding food, and you will sit there until your plate is empty--this has happened only once in four years.

If I BUY it-----------------------You WEAR it. Because remember, YOU ASKED FOR IT. If it's not popular in one month, it's NOT MY FAULT. Remember this the next time you want a t-shirt. Since the last time this happened, he's only asked for sensible polo's, sweaters, and jeans. His unpopular shirts ARE WORN in PUBLIC on art days, where less popular clothes are acceptable.

If I WASH it--------------------You PUT IT AWAY. Or I will not help you find it when you want it. No, not even for Picture Day.

If I CLEAN it-------------------You KEEP IT CLEAN. Or I'll hand you the washrag and soap to clean it back up. Yes, I WILL make your friends help you when they help mess it up, and even politely call their parents and say so.

If I say BEDTIME-------------You say GOODNIGHT MOM. Or your bedtime is 30 minutes earlier tomorrow. If you get this punishment three days in a row, it's permanently this bedtime until further notice, and no, I don't care if your friends and Grandpa find out.

If I say OFF THE PHONE--You HANG IT UP. I've not had this one yet, thank the Lord! He's only seven.

If I say NO---------------------You DON'T ASK WHY. I only explain why I said no ONCE. If you continue to ask, I will be admiring something else while you pitch a fit in your room.

Because I'M THE MOM!

The amendments are unspoken. The plaque is in a prominent place of sight.

The common sense rules are memorised.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
If you have nothing nice to say, DO NOT SAY IT.
Don't give up--ask for help first.
Encourage others as needed, it goes a long way in making everyone feel welcome.
Do your best always, and I will always be proud of you.
Do be honest, I know when you are not, and will let you know.
Well spoken words are the most powerful weapon. Take care in how you wield them.
Respect goes both ways, I am aware, there are some times it's unkind to share.

Enjoy!

We have house rules that everyone follow including mommy and daddy!

Be Kind to others
Think before you speak(is it nice and will it help or hurt person)
Help out with a cheerful attitude
Love always
Be honest
Nice name calling ONLY

This is just a partial list--but it gives you an idea....

If you are upset, go calm down until you are ready to work things out.

I never did that. But, I had a friend with two stepkids and they were very hard on her. She got her husband to write the rules of what they were expected to do when they got home from school. It was written in HIS handwriting. She taped it inside the cabinet door with the glasses (the one that was opened the most frequently). She showed it to them every single day. From what I remember, it even included when they had their snack...

Dawn