Our household lives under its own Bill of Rights.  I began drafting them around eight years ago when my son was old enough crawl across the room and snatch a toy out of an innocent playmates chubby fists.  My son was a speed crawler, and a grabby SOB!

The first rule was :
Share our Toys

My guidelines are not elaborate.  I strive to keep them age appropriate.  The truth is that they probably protect "the others" more than my kids.  But they teach life lessons.  Concepts and ideas that take years to master, and do not come naturally.

Ward and June we're not.  But who wants their kids to be known as the "naughty boys"???

We've spend a lot of time discussing our "rules"- and yes, many of these discussions take place while my children are seated on the bottom step in a time out.  Well, not so much anymore.  I just wanted to raise nice human beings.

Here are some of our rules:

No hitting
No biting
No kicking
No pulling hair
No lying
Always say please and thank you
Say excuse me (after you burp, fart or when an adult is speaking and you interrupt them)
Always say "I'm sorry" and make eye contact

These are basic rules of etiquette.  Over the last few years I have been truly shocked by some of the behavior exhibited by other people's children in my home.  One seven year old boy told me to F-off when I said he couldn't have a soda with his snack (our kids don't get soda)!  I asked him if he's allowed to use that language in his house- he said..."F- yeah!"

I feel that my expectations are realistic.

I have to wonder, have we lowered our expectations?  Below are the "rules" that the Girl Scouts Bicentennial Historical Activity Book published.  How does your family compare?  My personal favorite is the last!!  lol

1. Shut every door after you without slamming it.

2. Never shout in the house.

3. Never call to persons upstairs or in the next room; if you wish to speak to them, go to them.

4. Always be kind and polite to servants if you would have them the same to you.

5. When told to do or not to do a thing, by either parent, never object and obey cheerfully.

6. You may tell of your faults and misdoings, but not of those of your brothers and sisters.

7. Carefully clean your shoes before entering the house.

8. Be prompt at every meal hour, especially so in the morning, and thus cultivate the habit of rising early.

9. Never sit down at the table or in the parlor with soiled hands or disheveled hair

10. Never interrupt any conversation, but wait patiently your turn to speak.

11. Never reserve your good manner for company, but be equally polite at home and abroad.

12. Let your first, last and best friend be your mother.

Love to hear how it works in your house!

"Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one."  Bill Gates