I just happened to be in a neighbor’s home one day last week, and saw something intriguing posted on their refrigerator. It was a list of family rules.

I had seen this before on a show I watch that my husband hates to watch, Jon and Kate Plus 8. She had family rules posted in her house as well.

And considering the changes we have been through these past few months with kindergarten and new schedules, I decided to give it a try myself. A few Google searches later, I had what I thought were rules that were appropriate for my family and the ages of my kids, two and five.

We all sat down and went over the rules as a family. And then we all signed the rules, including the two-year-old in her best signature possible. And on the refrigerator they went.

There are no rewards associated with the rules, but I think the underlying understanding within our family is that if we have a really, really good week with following the rules, a special treat will happen. Even if it is just a trip to the ice cream shop, I think it will be the start of something that will solidify my family in treating each other as we should treat everyone else.

A couple of tips I read while doing research on this:

Make the rules age appropriate for your kids.

Make sure Mom and Dad both agree on the rules.

Keep the list as short as possible … too many rules, too much to remember.

And because I know you guys are curious, here are a few from our rules …

Always say please and thank you.

Gives hugs to all members of your family everyday.

Speak quietly inside the house.

Amy appears every Wednesday on TriangleMom2Mom. Read more about Amy at her blog A Family Story.