Rules

As a parent it falls to you to make rules.  Rules to keep your child safe.  Rules to establish healthy patterns of behavior.  Rules to help maintain sanity (for parents, children and strangers).  But who are we trying to get to follow these rules?

In the beginning you have an infant, who will cry, eat, sleep, and excrete.  Not much direction is required here.  Rules in place are mostly for how you want other people to deal with your child when they visit.  Examples:

• Wash your hands before you hold the baby
• Support the baby's head while holding the baby
• Don't shake the baby
• Talk nicely too the baby
• If the baby cries give him back (mommy or daddy will take it from here)

As your child gains mobility and comprehension they get rules too.  Mostly in the form of baby proofing admittedly.  But boundaries are set. And gravity acts as the harsh boatswain. Examples:

• Don't open the cabinet (because you can't I locked it)
• Feet first when getting down off the couch (it's a rule that is learned quickly when gravity takes effect)
• Use your words (you get what you want faster if I know what you want)
• Touch nicely (gentle examples help convey what you want here)
• No means No (this rule is as much for adults as kids, if you cave you teach your child to ignore you)

And on it goes.  More rules will be made as the need arises, both for your child and the people you allow to interact with your child.  Rules most easily enforced when in your own home. "My House, My Rules" being a relatively universal concept.*  Though as your child gets old, it becomes harder to directly influence the behavior of others toward your child.

*That my mother-in-law still does not want to understand