Read the passage, and then decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F).
Family rules help children understand which behaviors are acceptable and not acceptable. As children grow, they will be in places where they have to follow rules. Following rules at home can help children learn to follow rules in other places.
It is normal for children to break rules and test limits. Breaking a rule is a child's way of learning about his world. Remember, young kids sometimes break rules because they simply forget. Not all broken rules occur because kids are testing the limits.
For family rules to work well, everyone needs to know, understand, and follow the rules. By doing this, children don't get confused about the family rules. For example, you may feel that jumping on the bed is a dangerous behavior. You set a family rule that, "The bed will be used only for sitting, lying, or sleeping." If another adult jumps on the bed, your child may be confused. Your child may think this behavior is sometimes okay. This is true for parents, grandparents, or any other adult in your child's life.
The number of rules you set depends on your child's ability to understand and remember. It is also hard for parents to consistently enforce lots of new rules. For young children, focus on only two or three of the most important rules at any one time. As your child learns a rule and is following it consistently, you can add new rules.