No singing at the table.
That is a rule at my parent's home. I grew up thinking that that was a standard rule in every household. I remember being quite surprised to find that there was no such rule at my friends' houses. I thought all rules were universal.
As I have grown older, I have often wondered what events transpired in order to create such a rule. So far as I know, there is no record of the birth of this rule. We did have eight kids in my family. And we were NOT the Von Trapps. Perhaps, my parents had endured one too many off-key performances at the table. However, the rule was in force for as long as I can remember, so I blame it on my older siblings. Whatever brought it about, it must have been their fault! ;)
And so, for the sake of any potential younger siblings Ben and Brianna may have, I am recording the birth of a new rule at our home: No pounding on the door while Mommy is showering, unless the house is on fire, or someone is dying.
Let me just say, in my defense, that this was not a little fist pounding on the door. No, this was full-body slamming against the door, over, and over, and over, and over, and over. . . . Let me also say, in my defense, that I started out by asking very nicely, followed by yelling nicely (yes, there is such a thing), followed by yelling without the niceness, followed by screaming my lungs out, followed by me throwing my towel around my dripping, soapy body, throwing open my door, and SCREAMING the new rule.
Not my best parenting moment. After I finished my shower (without any more pounding, incidentally) and had gotten dressed, I sat down with my young 'uns and apologized for YELLING and then calmly re-explained the rule.
That was yesterday. Today, there was not so much as a tiny knock on my door while I showered. Dare I hope??
So, did you/do you have any strange/unique rules at your house?
Family pic 2020
2 months ago
11 comments:
In my family growing up we all knew why rules were in place--my brother, Matt. There were too many rules my parents had because of him so they summarized them into seven words that pretty much cover everything: Ask Respect Obedience Peace Order Wellness Fun. You could add anything into the Obedience category, like no climbing on the roof and no tying up your siblings. I must admit that the tying up siblings one was because of me. :) Good luck with the new rule.
~Jennifer
Well, Leslie, it may surprise you to know that even we, your parents, have no idea where that rule came from. But the upside of that is that you will also likely forget the frustration that preceded your new rule, or that you ever had such a rule.... maybe not. We did kind of create a new category there didn't we?
I don't remember any such rules at our home, there probably was, but my memory is so bad, I wouldn't remember if I had made one. On the other hand, in my childhood home we had two rules for the dinner table. No slurping jello, and no blowing milk out your nose. Yep, thank you Uncle Philip and Uncle Allyn! I might add,growing up with those two made life very, very entertaining! MOM M.
Well not exactly my rule but Kevin has the "You must wash you hands before you touch the legos.--it will get them greasy" Now I find it funny he doesn't care if they wash their hands before they eat dinner just if they touch the legos. Our new bathroom in my room has a sliding door so instead of that banging I keep getting a little blonde valet who insists on handing me a towel over and over even though I keep saying I'm not done yet go away!
Hey I just found your blog through Will and Tara who found me through Ross-crazy! Mom had one rule I never got but LOVE now- no unnecessary noise!
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Thanks for posting this Leslie so I could learn more of the raucous my dad and Uncle Allyn caused as children. And thanks Aunt R for sharing.
At our house growing up we had many rules which at the time I'm not sure I knew any of...which may help explain some of them.
Josh
In our family, if it doesn't have your name on it, it's fair game (referring to food in the fridge). That and Santa doesn't come to a messy house. :)
I hear about the privacy thing. I have finally started insisting that I should be able to have privacy in the bathroom (whether a shower or other uses). The life a mom. :)
:)
hmmm...I used to have the rule that before they left the table the kids had to say, "Thanks, Mom, that was the best dinner ever!" but it lost it's effect after a particularly gross concoction. I'd rather it be sincere! However, when they really want something they don't have to say please, they have to say, "You're the best Mom in the WHOLE WORLD". Hey, bribery works 2 ways!
Before I had kids, I loved showering in the morning. Now. . . not so much. I think I'm going to revolt and start a new stinky hairy trend. Down with showering! Are you with me?
We have one rule in our house. DO NOT WAKE LINDSAY UP WHEN SHE IS SLEEPING!!!
Josh hit the nail on the head when he responded that at our house we had many rules but that he didnt really know what they were (but apparently takes some credit for some of them being made!).
I can remember every so often asking myself just what exactly was the rule about this or that situation. Believe me, if the parents cant remember the rules, the kids cant either. Rules became simplified. I wish I was smarter sooner. :)
What a fun post to read! It is interesting to contemplate where family rules came from.
The main rules in our family: don't yell at your mother (started and enforced by Papa), pick up after yourself (ha, needs daily reinforcement!), and stop means stop (and don't say stop unless you mean it)! (tickling/wrestling games that turn hurtful instead of fun, etc, etc)
Also, no food downstairs in the basement - which with teens has reluctantly evolved into IF you have to take food downstairs (for a party or gathering), BRING UP YOUR DISHES AND RINSE THEM OUT! Sour milk in the bottom of a cup will incur the wrath of Mama!!! Having to wash dishes multiple times in the dishwasher to scour them so they are useable will incur the intense wrath of Mama!!! Having to throw away dishes because they are moldy and not salvageable will incur the fervent and everlasting wrath of Mama! (Luckily that is not such a problem any more, as this rule started as a result of being the Hotel D and there aren't extra people here right now!)
Oh, and it's okay to sing (or talk) if it isn't too loud or if it's in another room when someone has a migraine. (We have some young ones who like to sing and dance and hang out with the older kids, to the chagrin and frustration of the teens!) I think my teens have heard quite often that they can't realistically expect the little kids to be silent, and the little kids aren't doing anything they didn't do at that age! :)
Sorry this got so long...
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