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Summertime (All the Time) House Rules to Maintain Order
By Kathy Jenkins, Professional Organizer, Come To Order

Having a set of summertime house rules can be a big help to your family when kids are out of school and your routine is, well not routine anymore. Everyone knows what to expect, and what is expected of them. Creating your own set of house rules this summer will help you create a more peaceful environment in your home, maintain some semblance of order, and save a lot of emotional wear and tear. Here are some ideas for house rules you may want to adopt for a more peaceful summer:

1. Put things back after you are finished with them. If it is broken, toss it. If you no longer need or use it, donate it.

2. Abide by a family chore system. Everyone who lives under the roof of a house should help with the upkeep. Create a chore chart so you’ll know who’s supposed to do what when.

3. No yelling at anyone or “pitching fits.” Reserve yelling and screaming for emergencies only. “Outside voices” are not to be used inside, and pitching a fit to get something is not acceptable behavior. Never give the desired response when a child pitches a fit as a means of getting it.

4. Calling names, or making unkind, cutting remarks to each other is strictly forbidden. Make a list of the names and negative phrases you would like to eliminate from your family's vocabulary, such as “Shut up,” “dummy,” “stupid,” “You make me sick.”

5. Take responsibility for your own actions and words. Kids need to know that you hold them responsible for their actions—no matter what the other person does. Consider setting a certain time of day for tattling and complaining. If children know they have to wait until, say, five o’clock to grumble or snitch on a sibling (unless the situation is dangerous) it’s amazing how many issues get resolved on their own.
6. Respect each other’s space and stuff. Create guidelines for walking into each other’s bedrooms and borrowing each other’s belongings. Outline consequences ahead of time when children mistreat the property of others.

Excerpts taken from The Family Manager's Guide to Summer Survival

© 2010, Kathy Jenkins, Come To Order

Kathy Jenkins is a Residential Professional Organizer, Student Organizer, Certified Family Manager Coach, Writer and Speaker based in Richmond, Virginia. She is a member of NAPO, NSGCD and ABWA and is dedicated to helping her clients simplify their lives by reducing clutter, organizing their homes and offices, and managing their time. Kathy especially enjoys working with kids and their families to help them learn good organizational skills that will benefit them for a lifetime.