The notion of "family rules" is the
unspoken lists of acceptable/unacceptable behaviors, it can help make sense of a family. Some of these rules could include taking your shoes off before going
in the house, dad controls the TV remote, no one leaves the dinner table until
everyone is done eating, etc. The rules may not be posted on a “rule board” for everyone to see but they are rules that the family just simply follows. One thing that I would
like to point out is that rules are usually understood when they are
violated. For example, the very first time I went to meet my boyfriends parents (now he is my husband), I walked in his parents home with my shoes on and was
told in a matter of seconds to take my shoes off. Taking off their shoes was a family
rule that was greatly respected. Since being married, my husband and I have also taken
on that family rule.
I now have a challenge for you… take a couple
minutes to think of what your family rules are. You may be surprised at how many you can
come up with!
