AS PART OF TheJournal.ie’s weekly Family Magazine, we wanted to create a space for parents to share their views. A place where mums and dads could share their experiences, lessons learned, and even mistakes along the way. 

This week, asked our panel to weigh in on a pretty divisive question:

What’s one rule your kids know they can never break?

Here’s what they had to say…

 Top L-R: Olly Keegan, Alan Dooley, Denise, Ken Hyland. Middle L-R: Ríona Flood, Ross Boxshall, Marta Lisiecka, Denise Cumiskey. Bottom L-R: Kait Quinn, Susannah O’Brien, Derek McInerney, Suzie Kelly

No disrespecting mum or dad: The big one in our house is saying ‘no’ to mum and dad. If a kiddo is told to pick up their room, or some other chore, and they refuse to do so, they’ll be sent straight to their room until they calm down and decide to cooperate. All other activities are put on hold until the job gets done.

Another massive no-no is asking the other parent for something when they have already been told ‘no’ by one of us. We make a point of asking, ‘What did mum/dad say?’ If we discover they are trying to bend the rules, they’re in trouble.

- Susannah O’Brien

No telling lies: Rather than having hard rules, we aim to teach respect. We don’t allow electronic devices at the dining table or when out. Good behaviour outside of the house is important – and one they thankfully largely uphold. We also place a HUGE emphasis on telling the truth.

 - Ross Boxshall

No putting coins in his mouth (it’s a work in progress): Charlie is beginning to understand ‘no’ but we are struggling to get him to abide by many – or any! – rules quite yet. For example, we’ve taught him that the radiators are ‘hot’ and ‘no’ but instead of staying away now he says ‘hot’ as he touches them. We have drawn the line at coins in the mouth, though. This is a big no at the moment and one lesson that just might be sinking in.

- Kait Strickland

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No hitting other people: At the moment we teach our two-year-old that hitting is unacceptable. He also knows he has to stop and hold our hands when crossing the road. We talk about sharing and being kind but the ‘real’ rules will come with time.

- Marta Lisiecka 

No drives without seatbelts: Our biggest rules are around safety and we are strict as hell about it. First, seat belts in the car, no matter what car they are in. Second, wearing helmets on bikes. We’ve had all the arguments with the kids denouncing our rule because their friends don’t wear them, but rules are rules and that’s just the way it is.

- Ken Hyland

No skipping homework: Our two biggest rules come into play when the kids get home from school. Firstly, homework is done straight away after coming in from school. Secondly, uniforms must be changed out of before playing outside. Always. Those two rules are never questioned and make for an easier schedule in the evenings.

- Trina Dooley

No bad manners: From a young age, we taught our son to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. An important part of teaching is that we also ensure we say please and thank you. There’s no point in trying to teach him something and then doing the opposite ourselves!  Currently we are also working on table manners, but that’s not so easy….

- Olly Keegan

No coming home late: The one rule that I have always had with the two older ones is that if I tell them a time to be back at, that they make sure they are in by that time, otherwise they will be sitting in for a couple of days as punishment. With my three year old we are working on the importance of manners with the emphasis being on please and thank yous.

- Denise Cumiskey

More Parents Panel: How did you find returning to work after maternity leave?

More Parents Panel: What one parenting worry just isn’t worth the effort?

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