Family Rules

Does anyone have a set of “family rules”? I’d like to hear some suggestions please!!

I have a 7.5 year old step son- Ethan, who is very, very hyperactive and strong willed. Not saying that in a bad way, just to explain his personality. He’s also very loving, sweet, sincere, and in general a great kit and VERY smart. But he definitely thrives off of accountability, rules, structure, a schedule, and that kind of thing. More so than normal.

He doesn’t have that at his moms house... at all. He pretty much does whatever over there, plays video games, doesn’t have to do something if he doesn’t want to (i.e. take a shower, clean up).

We have certain rules here, and things we expect. Not just for him, but for my 4 year old daughter and other 3 year old step son. We’re rather strict. This is no secret to them.

Well, LONG story, their mom (SOs ex wife) did something really horrible (truly evil, honestly) at the end of January. And we weren’t able to see the boys for shortly over 5 months. It was the worst time of my life. The truth that she was lying and made it all up finally came out, as the truth always does!!

Now that we have the boys back, we’re having to re-explain and start over with all of or rules. We’ll remind Ethan, and he’ll be like “oh! Yeah! Thank you, I’m sorry”. We him know that we understand and remind him “different house, different rules”.

We now have to give them back to his “mother” tomorrow. But while they’re with her, I was thinking of coming up with like 10 simple “family rules”, laminating it, and posting it in his room, and the common area of the house for him. And having it done before they come back.

I’m wanting them to be simple, short-ish, and easy to understand without leaving any from for question. A couple I have thought of are... “be kind, don’t treat someone else any way you wouldn’t want to be treated”, “be honest, the truth will won’t get you a punishment.. but lying will”.

I need other examples!! If anyone has any.. please please share!!