Rules are not the same as laws
Explain to your children that the rules are not the same as the laws … and they will do better in life!
All people who have children want their little ones to grow up to be successful adults who know how to face life as independently as possible. They want them to become citizens respectful of other people and of the law … Because breaking the law is having very serious problems in society.
This begins with teaching them to obey the rules at home, at school, and in places where they participate in extracurricular activities. Learning to follow the rules teaches children to pay attention to social norms; teaching them to think about the reasoning behind the rules teaches them to develop a moral compass. When you teach them about the differences between rules and laws, you help them develop the civic awareness necessary to become successful adults.
Definition of rules and laws
Rules are codes that guide behavior at the level of families, organizations and communities. Laws are rules proposed and approved by the government. The punishment for disobeying rules and laws is different in degree, and if a law is broken, you may have to pay a fine or have to defend yourself in court, while breaking a rule results in penalties determined by the laws. parents or other people with whom the child has a personal relationship.
If a child breaks a rule in a game , for example, he could lose his turn. If a child breaks a parental rule about staying out too late, they may be punished … But if they shoplift they can end up in jail.
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IMPORTANCE OF PARENTS
At home, children first learn to respect authority and the need to conform to social norms, and then transfer their knowledge to larger community organizations and finally to the political entity in which they live. Parents are important actors in the values that their children adopt as they grow up.
Recognizing that children will use their values as their benchmark means that you should evaluate how you express your values, including your approach to the country’s laws and social norms, to ensure that your children have a clear idea of your position .
COMPLEX CONCEPTS
A study published in the journal “Child Development” found that children ages 6 to 10 could handle complex problems, such as unjust laws versus those beneficial to society and personal rights under varying conditions . This means that, from an early age, many children can understand the differences between rules and laws.
Important conversations
Not only should you explain to your children the reasons for family rules and the penalties for not obeying them , but you should also ask them how they understood what you said and what they think about it. This will give them the opportunity to correct any misunderstandings.
Just as important, you can help them understand the difference between not liking the rules and understanding their merits . Discuss the conditions under which you would be willing to amend the rules, thus actively involving your children in defining the rules that govern family life . In this way, it will be easier for your children to choose to follow the rules, because they will feel that they are part of the solution instead of just part of the problem.
Family rules and the openness to listen to the opinions of the children must exist in all homes. This opens the door to talk about the laws in society and the importance they have for a good coexistence. It is never too late to begin to tell children the importance of laws and regulations and that they understand that from the outset, they are not the same … but both are necessary for a good coexistence between people.
Dr. Tabriella Perivolaris, Sara's mother and fan of fashion, beauty, motherhood, among others, about the female universe. Since 2018 she has been working as a copywriter, always bringing to her articles a little of her experience and experience as a mother and woman.