Your government will tell you which side of the road you need to drive on, and your employer will set the dress code for your 9 to 5, but when you're at home, you make the rules.
Recently, we thought it would be interesting to see how differently we organize our living spaces and found a few online threads where people shared the non-negotiable do's and don'ts in their households.
From cultivating treats to enforcing a strict chore schedule, the things that folks emphasize can be surprisingly varied—just like the residents themselves.
#1
You are excused from all obligations and chores if a cat is sitting on you.
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85points
#2
10 house rules? Jesus.. who has time for that? If people can’t behave like civil human beings they aren’t allowed in, but I don’t employ rules. Life is too short for that nonsense.
That being said, I live alone and I do what I want, when I want, and how I want.
That being said, I live alone and I do what I want, when I want, and how I want.
51points
#3
My cats are VERY friendly and VERY social. If they freak out and hide, get the f**k out.
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48points
#4
1) Get the f**k out if you have a problem with my dog. I'm not gonna lock him in the bedroom, not for you, NOT FOR ANYBODY since it's his house too. (my dog is very gentle and calm and well behaved, but he is a people dog, and he loves to make new friends)
2) Repeat that 9 more times.
2) Repeat that 9 more times.
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47points
#5
I raised six children who are now aged 35, 32, 31, 27, 24 and soon to be 17.
Not really strict rules, but some were rather stupid rules because one child was a little different.
Her three kids were 6, 3 and 2 when I married my wife. The other three we had together. All six were raised by my wife and me and we lived as one big family. The children have called me dad since before my first child was born.
The first stupid rule began when the youngest of my wife’s first three was around 4 years old. If we were eating and there was a big bag of potato chips, he would throw a fit if anyone tried to eat any chips.
In his mind, the entire bag of chips was his, regardless of the size of the bag.
So stupid rule number one was no eating chips out of the bag. Either put them on your plate with your sandwich or in a bowl. That eliminated his “ownership” of a bag of chips.
He's been out of the house for over 13 years, and just the other night when I came home from work, I got out a bowl and put some chips in it just to eat a few. I could have easily eaten a few chips straight from the bag and resealed it, but old habits die hard.
Not really strict rules, but some were rather stupid rules because one child was a little different.
Her three kids were 6, 3 and 2 when I married my wife. The other three we had together. All six were raised by my wife and me and we lived as one big family. The children have called me dad since before my first child was born.
The first stupid rule began when the youngest of my wife’s first three was around 4 years old. If we were eating and there was a big bag of potato chips, he would throw a fit if anyone tried to eat any chips.
In his mind, the entire bag of chips was his, regardless of the size of the bag.
So stupid rule number one was no eating chips out of the bag. Either put them on your plate with your sandwich or in a bowl. That eliminated his “ownership” of a bag of chips.
He's been out of the house for over 13 years, and just the other night when I came home from work, I got out a bowl and put some chips in it just to eat a few. I could have easily eaten a few chips straight from the bag and resealed it, but old habits die hard.
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33points
#7
1. Don't use my crafting shears for opening packages or cutting tags
....... I guess that's pretty much it lol
....... I guess that's pretty much it lol
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28points
#8
No spontaneous guests.
No wearing shoes inside.
No Neon*zis or f*scists in general allowed in my home.
No disrespecting people living here.
No harming of our pets.
No destruction of our property.
No eating without a plate, making a mess on the floor and throwing around pieces of food.
Most can be summed up as: Behave like a decent human being.
No wearing shoes inside.
No Neon*zis or f*scists in general allowed in my home.
No disrespecting people living here.
No harming of our pets.
No destruction of our property.
No eating without a plate, making a mess on the floor and throwing around pieces of food.
Most can be summed up as: Behave like a decent human being.
25points
#9
1. We don’t always have to keep it neat, but we have to keep it clean. Some clutter is acceptable, smells are never ok.
2. If I’ve invited you over to do a particular task or activity, come prepared to do just that. Don’t accept my invite thinking you’re gonna show up and lead me on a detour from our original plan. If, for example, I invite you over for a craft night, I’d probably rather do crafts by myself than be stuck entertaining someone who just wants to talk.
3. Be mindful of and respectful to my plants, pets, and partner (edit: not in order of importance lol).
4. If there are multiple guests, don’t start a f*****g fight with someone else. Take it outside and don’t come back until you can behave.
2. If I’ve invited you over to do a particular task or activity, come prepared to do just that. Don’t accept my invite thinking you’re gonna show up and lead me on a detour from our original plan. If, for example, I invite you over for a craft night, I’d probably rather do crafts by myself than be stuck entertaining someone who just wants to talk.
3. Be mindful of and respectful to my plants, pets, and partner (edit: not in order of importance lol).
4. If there are multiple guests, don’t start a f*****g fight with someone else. Take it outside and don’t come back until you can behave.
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25points
#10
Be respectful (no racism, no hate)
No gluten in the air fryer, rice maker or breadmaker. (I have celiac and anyone who contaminates those appliances with gluten is not welcome)
The cats live here, there will be cat hair, but you can move them off the couch
Please let me know if you want tea; I really really like making tea for other people.
If you need a pen, please ask first, I have so many and some are not meant to be used by just anyone (my fountain pens are my babies)
No gluten in the air fryer, rice maker or breadmaker. (I have celiac and anyone who contaminates those appliances with gluten is not welcome)
The cats live here, there will be cat hair, but you can move them off the couch
Please let me know if you want tea; I really really like making tea for other people.
If you need a pen, please ask first, I have so many and some are not meant to be used by just anyone (my fountain pens are my babies)
24points
#11
If we like you, you can help yourself to wherever you need; cuppa, we’ll you know where the kitchen is, hungry? Fridge is full.
If we don’t like you, you’ll get offered tea, coffee or water. And we would bring it to you, you ain’t roaming loose in my house.
If we don’t like you, you’ll get offered tea, coffee or water. And we would bring it to you, you ain’t roaming loose in my house.
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19points
#12
The kitchen counter is for glasses not a*ses. In other words, don’t sit on the counter!
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16points
#13
1. Don’t set fireworks off indoors.
2. No mullets.
3. Don’t try and tidy up after I’ve cooked for you, my boyfriend will do it.
4. Bring dogs.
5. No ants allowed.
6. Don’t grumble that my downstairs loo looks like a shoe cupboard. It is a shoe cupboard.
7. Admire my ghosts.
8. Tell me if you’re cold. I’ll get you a blanket. Heating is expensive.
9. If you’re expecting a cuppa, bring your own milk. I probably won’t have any.
10. Don’t overstay your welcome.
2. No mullets.
3. Don’t try and tidy up after I’ve cooked for you, my boyfriend will do it.
4. Bring dogs.
5. No ants allowed.
6. Don’t grumble that my downstairs loo looks like a shoe cupboard. It is a shoe cupboard.
7. Admire my ghosts.
8. Tell me if you’re cold. I’ll get you a blanket. Heating is expensive.
9. If you’re expecting a cuppa, bring your own milk. I probably won’t have any.
10. Don’t overstay your welcome.
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15points
#14
-shoes at door
-toilet seat default position is down
-TP roll- over
-make the bed if you sleep in it
-pet the poodle
- be kind
-make yourself at home
- guests get the comfy chair
- expect to be fed
- bring wine whenever possible
-toilet seat default position is down
-TP roll- over
-make the bed if you sleep in it
-pet the poodle
- be kind
-make yourself at home
- guests get the comfy chair
- expect to be fed
- bring wine whenever possible
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15points
#15
1 - dogs go wherever they want
2 - of dogs want a walk, we walk
That’s it
2 - of dogs want a walk, we walk
That’s it
14points
#16
1. My house, my music.
2. Yes, I have some cool, old s**t. Don’t touch it.
3. Eat or drink all you want-pitch in on the next bottle or food if you finish off something expensive.
4. Couch is available for napping, reading, and conversation-always.
5. I prefer some warning that you’re coming by.
6. Be kind to everyone here-you are ALL my people even if you’re not in the same circles.
7. There are always more blankets-let me know if you’re cold.
8. Sitting in comfortable silence here is entirely okay, we don’t need to entertain each other-if you’re here I just like having you around.
9. Unless I’ve told you a plus one is okay, don’t bring strangers to my place.
10. Smoke whatever you’re smoking outside.
2. Yes, I have some cool, old s**t. Don’t touch it.
3. Eat or drink all you want-pitch in on the next bottle or food if you finish off something expensive.
4. Couch is available for napping, reading, and conversation-always.
5. I prefer some warning that you’re coming by.
6. Be kind to everyone here-you are ALL my people even if you’re not in the same circles.
7. There are always more blankets-let me know if you’re cold.
8. Sitting in comfortable silence here is entirely okay, we don’t need to entertain each other-if you’re here I just like having you around.
9. Unless I’ve told you a plus one is okay, don’t bring strangers to my place.
10. Smoke whatever you’re smoking outside.
14points
#17
We don't have like a list or anything, but some rules that jump to mind are:
* No jumping on the sofa.
* Swordfights and bouncy balls outside or in the hallway.
* No sword attacks on unarmed people (shields count).
* Have rooms clean on Saturday mornings (poorly enforced).
* Don't sit on the dinnertable (also poorly enforced).
* Only look for eggs if all chickens are outside the coop.
And regular stuff like eat with your mouth closed, try to use utensils, brush your teeth and put on clean underwear in the morning.
* No jumping on the sofa.
* Swordfights and bouncy balls outside or in the hallway.
* No sword attacks on unarmed people (shields count).
* Have rooms clean on Saturday mornings (poorly enforced).
* Don't sit on the dinnertable (also poorly enforced).
* Only look for eggs if all chickens are outside the coop.
And regular stuff like eat with your mouth closed, try to use utensils, brush your teeth and put on clean underwear in the morning.
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13points
#19
I have mostly rules for kids:
- argue only in native language,
- no feet above the table (not only ON the table, above the table, as they get creative)
- don't wipe your face in my shirt, even if you want a cuddle
- eating soup with chopsticks is only allowed shirtless
- on long drives whining is allowed 30mins before arrival, not sooner
- don't lick people or the cat, even if they smell good
And so on.
- argue only in native language,
- no feet above the table (not only ON the table, above the table, as they get creative)
- don't wipe your face in my shirt, even if you want a cuddle
- eating soup with chopsticks is only allowed shirtless
- on long drives whining is allowed 30mins before arrival, not sooner
- don't lick people or the cat, even if they smell good
And so on.
Why_So_Slow, https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/woman-holding-her-adorable-kitty-home_20083049.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=0&uuid=be4e8d14-a2d2-4f96-910a-8c6c159d778f&query=lick+cat
Report11points
#20
I used to have a free for all house of my own, even after dating SO with his kids for a couple of years. I love hosting and had a guest room. Food and dishes were all on me, stay as long as you please. My friends aren’t the types to need rules.
Since moving in with SO and kids and acting as more of a step for the last year the list of rules is long.. just to keep things livable without burning me out or living in a landfill.
1. Clothes in the hamper. Your hamper. Towels/rags go in the basket on top of the fridge.
2. If I’m doing I’m doing all of the laundry, the sink better be clear. If you decide to do a load, put it away right away. (Maybe you can tell laundry is a source of mess in our house.. before I moved in SO would have a giant “clean” pile of everybody’s clothes mixed. Never got put away. Hampers were occupied by a mix of clean clothes, dirty clothes, and everybody’s out grown out clothes to “sell” just.. no.)
3. Something in, something out. It doesn’t have to be immediate. But if we’re going to have huge Christmas/birthday room better be made BEFORE the event. And if you’re going to randomly buy things you better have a place in mind that same day.
4. No if’s ands or buts about routine things. Tantrums and hard days are normal. But not about everyday things. Tablets are gone at dinner, homework will be done, teeth are getting brushed, baths will be had, books will be read, and children will be sleeping. We will wake up on time everyday and keep our bags packed for the next day. I’m not going to be responsible for tired, tablet-addicted kids who don’t have any of their things ready for school.
5. Bathroom time is alone time. We all share a bathroom- give a heads up if you’re showering for a long time.
6. Clear common areas. If all 4 of us left our papers/toys/hobby supplies/hats/shoes out it would be a train wreck. So none of us will. When you’re done with it, put it away.
7. Respect our furniture and home. I put a lot of time, money, and effort into buying nice things and keeping a clean home. Don’t stand on couches, hang from the bunk beds, sit on tables, etc. We have a huge yard and live next to a park.
8. Ask nicely. And respect no as an answer. That goes for everybody, including the kids when it’s not a mandatory thing like bed time or cleaning up. Nobody likes being forced into fun. We’re all entitled to some alone time. Very necessary rule in a small home with 4 people!
9. Say sorry when you did something wrong. Again, all of us. We go over proper apologies a lot. Focus on how you effected the person, not explaining your intentions. Tell them how you’ll fix it/do better in the future. Then follow through as best you can.
10. We’re a team. Everybody gets age appropriate chores, we all pick things up even if we didn’t necessarily make the mess ourselves. If somebody is having a bad day or gets hurt, we all stop what we’re doing. We all have our “jobs” when it comes to running things smoothly. We have a routine. Stick to it as best you can. And if you’re having a hard time ask instead of just not doing something. If you have extra time try and find something to do for the house instead of screwing around.
It might sound like I’m a hard a*s, but SO isn’t a natural cleaner and has a hard time reaching the kids good habits. With our system the worst day here is better than the best day before I started helping out (before I moved in… wasn’t about to tackle that all on my own or be the bad guy). The kids take a lot of pride in doing their part, toys aren’t lost, board games/art projects/legos/puzzles are used frequently because they know where they are. We’re not living in a landfill. I’m not a full time maid. We’re not arguing constantly or losing things because there’s a routine. We have more time for fun because we’re not living in a depression nest.
Since moving in with SO and kids and acting as more of a step for the last year the list of rules is long.. just to keep things livable without burning me out or living in a landfill.
1. Clothes in the hamper. Your hamper. Towels/rags go in the basket on top of the fridge.
2. If I’m doing I’m doing all of the laundry, the sink better be clear. If you decide to do a load, put it away right away. (Maybe you can tell laundry is a source of mess in our house.. before I moved in SO would have a giant “clean” pile of everybody’s clothes mixed. Never got put away. Hampers were occupied by a mix of clean clothes, dirty clothes, and everybody’s out grown out clothes to “sell” just.. no.)
3. Something in, something out. It doesn’t have to be immediate. But if we’re going to have huge Christmas/birthday room better be made BEFORE the event. And if you’re going to randomly buy things you better have a place in mind that same day.
4. No if’s ands or buts about routine things. Tantrums and hard days are normal. But not about everyday things. Tablets are gone at dinner, homework will be done, teeth are getting brushed, baths will be had, books will be read, and children will be sleeping. We will wake up on time everyday and keep our bags packed for the next day. I’m not going to be responsible for tired, tablet-addicted kids who don’t have any of their things ready for school.
5. Bathroom time is alone time. We all share a bathroom- give a heads up if you’re showering for a long time.
6. Clear common areas. If all 4 of us left our papers/toys/hobby supplies/hats/shoes out it would be a train wreck. So none of us will. When you’re done with it, put it away.
7. Respect our furniture and home. I put a lot of time, money, and effort into buying nice things and keeping a clean home. Don’t stand on couches, hang from the bunk beds, sit on tables, etc. We have a huge yard and live next to a park.
8. Ask nicely. And respect no as an answer. That goes for everybody, including the kids when it’s not a mandatory thing like bed time or cleaning up. Nobody likes being forced into fun. We’re all entitled to some alone time. Very necessary rule in a small home with 4 people!
9. Say sorry when you did something wrong. Again, all of us. We go over proper apologies a lot. Focus on how you effected the person, not explaining your intentions. Tell them how you’ll fix it/do better in the future. Then follow through as best you can.
10. We’re a team. Everybody gets age appropriate chores, we all pick things up even if we didn’t necessarily make the mess ourselves. If somebody is having a bad day or gets hurt, we all stop what we’re doing. We all have our “jobs” when it comes to running things smoothly. We have a routine. Stick to it as best you can. And if you’re having a hard time ask instead of just not doing something. If you have extra time try and find something to do for the house instead of screwing around.
It might sound like I’m a hard a*s, but SO isn’t a natural cleaner and has a hard time reaching the kids good habits. With our system the worst day here is better than the best day before I started helping out (before I moved in… wasn’t about to tackle that all on my own or be the bad guy). The kids take a lot of pride in doing their part, toys aren’t lost, board games/art projects/legos/puzzles are used frequently because they know where they are. We’re not living in a landfill. I’m not a full time maid. We’re not arguing constantly or losing things because there’s a routine. We have more time for fun because we’re not living in a depression nest.
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10points