My House My Rules

As my kids get older, more of their friends are coming over. Whether that’s for a playdate, to stay the night, birthday parties, etc. It’s nice knowing most of them like to come hang out here. For a while our house was the neighborhood hangout. All the kids were always coming over to see if my kids could play and they’d all play out front. Of course that’s bound to change because I’m that mom – my house my rules.

Anytime a kid comes over to my house I expect them to be respectful and follow the rules. I expect the same from my kids when they got to friends houses or other places as well. I feel like most parents expect the same. The rules at my house are simple: No bad language (my son’s only allowed to say crap). Be respectful to everyone. Play fair and get along with everyone. Easy enough right? Not for everyone.

Now I’m aware kids have different rules they have to follow at home, but when you’re at my house you follow my rules. If the parents let their kids use bad words, great, but not in my house. My son is 14 and my daughter is 8. I’d rather the language stay clean (even though they’ve probably heard it all already). With the age difference in my kids it’s also sometimes hard for my sons friends to get along with my daughter and vice versa. All I ask is they try and be respectful towards each other and myself.

Of course these rules are sometimes hard for kids to follow. That results in them not coming over anymore or lost friendships. That sucks, especially for my kids. I hold myself and my kids to the same standards while other kids are here or they are at others houses. Their house, their rules. Follow them unless it’s a rule you’re uncomfortable with for whatever reason, in that case call me. I’ve never had my kids call me, but I feel better that they know they can.

We’ve been lucky with the kids that come over here. They’re all super respectful, they all get along, and they don’t use bad language. There has been a few exceptions where kids told me they’d never come back and I said that’s fine. I’m not bending my rules or anyone. They’re in place to make sure everyone has fun and feels safe. That’ll never change.