The single most important mantra of raising a child beyond 2 years is setting the rules and following them.
Many times parent wonder why do the kids follow the rules in school. However, at home they do not follow the rules set by parents.
Many times the key difference is that – in school the rules are rules. They do not according the mood of the teachers.
Usually, at home the rules change according to the mood of the parents. If the parents are happy, they allow kids to do anything. If they are in bad mood, they take it out on the kids. For example, if you let your kid eat on the bed in good mood and then shout on him/her for doing the same thing when you are in a bad mood then the kid will be very confused. For a 2 year old it is very complicated to understand your mood and act accordingly.
So, set the rules, write them down, and follow them – every day, every time. If you do not follow your rules, then do not expect your kids to follow them. If you don’t want your kid to eat on the bed, then you cannot eat on the bed too. If you want your kids to go to bed early, then you should go to bed early as well.
