Do you al follow the same rules in your house?

[Booboobedoo]

Was just reading the '3 non-negotiable rules' thread (which is very funny), and saw that a lot of people object to children being given rules unless the adults also follow them.

I'm due my first in March, so don't have to worry about this for a while, but I'm also a teacher, and regularly in loco parentis for lots of children. (I run my own private theatre school).

As I'm pregnant atm I eat during class-time (preferable to retching in a bag in front of the kids), and have had a few kids tell me 'it's not fair' that they can't.

I tell them that if they get pregnant they will be allowed to eat in class too. (These particular kids are between 6 and 10).

I'm not sure I agree that parents should always have to follow kids rules. I remember looking forward to growing up so that I could do things that adults did.

And now I am an adult I see the relative freedom we have as making up for not being kids any more (along with alcohol and orgasms).

Sorry for rambling post, but what do you think? Should we always have to lead by example? Always?

Am off to walk dog now. Not posting and running.

When my children are mummies they can make the rules.

Till then they follow mine.

And since they're boys, they'd better get used to women making the rules for 'em, dontcha think

LOL Hunker. I agree that there should be certain rules soley for children but the fundmentals should apply to all regardless of age. By that I mean such things as manners, courtsey, honestly, respect etc.

Utter nonsense, no, we shouldn't always lead by example, because as children, their needs differ.

e.g. must be in bed by 7.30 - they need this amount of sleep, I as an adult don't (well actually I do today, because dd2 in bed with me most of last night and was like spending the night in a tumble dryer).

e.g.2 kids must never drink alcohol because it stops them growing . I have stopped growing therefore I can.

I could go on an on but you get the gist.

Agree with all of you so far.

How cordial. .

I think that the fundementals are true regardless of age

Excepting physiological differences (adults do need less sleep and need to eat less often-your eating in class makes sense here therefore), I do think it reasonable that we all basically stick to the same rules.

I think kids learn best by example.

So eg we might say that "everyone has to adopt safe behaviour on the road". For dd this means she has to be carried, for ds he has to hold a hand, but we ALL have to look both ways and the rest of the crap.

I do find this makes it much easier to enforce discipline. It also means that if I, on occasion, make an unusual demand they normally follow without question.

No, I regularly sit on the couch with ALL my clothes on

I also tend to keep my legs together when sitting

I often finish all the food on my plate and then want more

And I don't smear my poo on the bathroom floor. Much.