Family “Rules” We Live By

Our house has a revolving door.  Our friends, neighbors and kids friends are always stopping by and sometimes stay for a day or two or….more.  I often wonder why these individuals like to “hang out” at our house. 

My ego says “WOW! We must be great parents and friends!” So I went on a quest and asked why our home is their “landing hub” and here’s the answers I received: Your house is so calm and peaceful. There’s no judgments made here. I feel like part of your family. It keeps me out of my parent’s “messes” and makes me feel calm. I love that you always do things together and I feel included.

This made me realize that the rules we try to live by in our home are working – although, admittedly, we aren’t always successful at following them ourselves. We’re not perfect, but we try and that has to count for something, right?

So, here are some of the family rules we live by, not in any specific order, that I’d like to share with you. We don’t have all the answers, I just know these work for us in our home.

GIVE: It doesn’t have to me money or material things. Give your time and share your talents.

WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK: We all have tasks that need to be done on a regular basis, so no point complaining about them. Just get them done and crossed off your “to do” list so you have time for fun with friends and family.

BE THANKFUL: We don’t have things we’d love to own and we have our daily struggles, but we are still thankful for each other and the things we do have. There is a saying taped to our fridge that reads, “When you complain about the bad things that have happened to you today, think about all the bad things that DIDN’T happen to you today.” When you truly think about that, you’ll realize how good your life really is. We are blessed.

FORGIVE: Easier said than done, but do it quickly and move on. Not worth the negative energy to hold a grudge. Besides, no one likes the awkwardness of it all.

CHEER AND SUPPORT: Lift up your children, spouse and friends by offering support and cheering them on. We all need a “way to go” now and then or a positive push when there’s doubt in what we’re doing.

LOVE: Seems simple right? We don’t express or show love enough. I’m guilty of it – are you? Tell your children, spouse and friends that you love them. Show them by doing little things that cost nothing but a few minutes time; put a note in a lunch box, secretly tape a love note to your spouses steering wheel, do one of their chores, make their favorite dessert, hug them and hug them, actually say the words “I LOVE YOU” and then hug them some more!

I hope you choose to follow at least one or two of our household rules. They don’t cost anything but a moment’s time. It’s these little things that make a house a home, and the world into a more loving, peaceful place to live for us and the future of our children.

Written by Lisa Jones, PLC’s director of human resources and operations.