As the parents, your job is to make the rules that run the family. Generally speaking, you will be making two kinds of rules. You will make abiding rules that apply to everyone, to which no exceptions are made. Abiding rules are usually based on values. For example, “In this family, we do not steal from each other, we do not hit each other, and we do not call each other hurtful names.” Abiding rules apply always and usually to everyone.

You will also make situational rules that may not apply to everyone. In addition, you may sometimes decide to make exceptions to situational rules. Situational rules deal with matters of management. For example, “In this family, everyone has weekend chores to do, children will do weeknight homework before they get to play, and on Sundays we will all get together with grandparents for supper.” Situational rules apply most of the time.