House Rules by Nate

LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD

• Love God and everything to do with Him!

• Honor God and the Bible with your words – don’t say sacrelegious things, and don’t talk while the Bible is read.

• Show respect and join the praise when we worship God.

• Honor the Lord’s Day with Bible books, videos, etc – no regular chores or studies.

HONOR YOUR MOTHER AND FATHER

• Drop what you’re doing and listen carefully when we speak – don’t talk when your mother and father are talking.

• Acknowledge that you heard (Yes Ma’am Mama/Yes Sir Papa).

• Ask questions if you don’t understand or if you want to finish what you’re doing first.

• Obey quickly and cheerfully, without delaying or complaining.
• If Papa says “No,” don’t go to Mama to see if she’ll say “Yes” - and vice versa.
• If you see your brother or sister disobeying, don’t punish them, just remind them and then tell Mama or Papa.

KEEP THE HOUSE NEAT

• When you’re done with a meal, clear the table and wash your hands when you’re done.

• Take out only one game or two books at a time; don’t pull out more until you put up the first.

• Wash Hands before touching music instruments.

• Keep the floors and yards clear – put up your books and toys when you’re done playing.
• After you use a tool, put it back in its proper place.
• When you take your clothes off, put them in the dirty clothes hamper or back in your clothes drawers.
• When you take your shoes off, put them in the shoe rack.
• Keep outside doors closed.
• Turn off lights when you leave a room.
• Flush toilet and turn off sink when you’re done.
• Turn on bathroom fan when you shower, and hang wet towels up when you’re done.

RESPECT OTHER PEOPLE’S PROPERTY

•

• Don’t write on or put stickers on walls or furniture - only on blank paper.

• Treat furniture and instruments gently - no hitting; only use fingers on piano.

• Do not play on the roof of the house or cars.
• Don’t play with other people’s things without their permission.
• Do not swing on doors or cabinet doors.
• Don’t jump on the beds or climb on the backs or sides of couches.
• Only take a rock if God put it there; don't take man-made rocks from roads and gardens.
• Don’t steal.

BE SAFE AND CAREFUL

• Think about whether what you’re doing might hurt someone.

• Don’t swing or throw things around any other person.

• No little kids by themselves outside; no crossing the property line without permission.

• Do not cross the street until you’ve looked carefully both ways; little kids don’t cross by yourself.
• Don‘t play with ceiling fans.
• Don’t stick hands out the car windows when we’re driving.
• Don’t play with fire (matches, grill, firebrands, candles, etc.)
• Always walk close together with the family when in public.
• Don’t stick sharp things in you mouth or run with sharp things in your hands.
• Keep harmful things out of reach of the baby (swallowable Legos, medicine, cleaners, etc.)
• Take a buddy with you whenever you do something dangerous like swim, climb trees or ladders, operate mowers, or zip line.

KEEP A PLEASANT ATMOSPHERE AT THE TABLE

• Don’t eat food from the kitchen until it is meal-time.

• Don’t touch your neighbor while you’re eating.

• No loud noises at the table (Loud laughing, shouting, singing).
• Ask politely for what you need: “Please pass the…” – and listen and respond to these requests.
• When you’re done eating, clear your place and sit quietly until dessert. Do not play in the dining room while you wait.
• Use your tableware, not your fingers.
• Don’t complain about what you don’t like, just leave it on the side of your plate (don’t throw on floor or table).
• Try to eat all the food on your plate; eat at least one bite of things you don’t like.
• Talk about things of interest to everyone.

• Keep all chair legs on the floor and your bottom on your chair seat – don’t tip your chair.

BE KIND TO OTHERS

• Think of how to please family members and guests, not how to irritate them.

• Don’t hurt a friend physically: no hitting, biting or scratching.

• No name-calling or saying mean things to anyone.

• If you disagree, give deference and don’t keep arguing.
• Watch for the needs of little brothers and sisters and help them.
• If you hurt someone, immediately apologize and make it right.

TELL THE TRUTH

• TREAT The Opposite Sex WITH RESPECT

• Dress modestly – cover your body adequately.

• Boys, dress like gentlemen; Girls, dress like ladies.

• Turn your eyes away from those who are not dressed modestly.
• Boys, be chivalrous: Be gentle with girls and defend girls if other boys are treating them roughly.
• Don’t enter a closed door without knocking first.
• Do not show exclusive interest in a member of the opposite sex until you are ready to have children with them.