For all those slick little people who think that they can slide by and break the house rules just by saying "I didn't know we had that rule."

Stop them in their little tracks. All you have to do is Post It in a visible place and put it on colorful paper. Then when the little Einstines try and manipulate the rules to their advantages. Just say "Read It."

If it were just that simple (giggle). Every behavior therapist will tell you to list the rules and post them.

Read them together so everyone knows the house rules.
Have a family meeting at least once a week to discuss the way things are going and ask the kids for their input to how they feel the rules are working.

Letting the kids know what they say is valuable to you will teach them that you really do listen. It is very hard to pin everyone down at the same time and have a family meeting. So at our house we do our family meetings in the mornings. Before anyone is out of the P.J's and off into the day.

Getting the family used to reading any thing that is posted around the house is a good habit. Then for special holiday events or doctors appointments you can post it and everyone will know What's going on.

I try and make our post's fun and interesting. So mine reveal holiday events with the pumpkins and ghosts and all the trimmings, to attract the random reader. Every family has one.

Live life as simple as you can. If you Host it...Post it. Anyone else out there that may have helpful hints for us larger families on how to get everyone on the same track and keep them there?
We would love to hear from you. Your ideas do count.