4 Ways To Make House Rules Stick

Given enough time living independently from your parents, you realize living like a twelve year old is no longer an option, and maintaining upkeep in household with a population greater than one is definitely not an easy task. Here are some tips to help keep your apartment/home from looking like a frat house:

1. Make your actions speak. Following the rules yourself should be enough to set an example. If you violate your own rules, you're self-proclaiming undeserved authority. Earn the right to command, don't demand it.
2. Explain the rule. Genuine confusion behind rules are not uncommon. Be sure to explain it thoroughly so everyone knows why there is a rule for it; your common sense may not be the same for everyone.
3. Write it down. A short, concise list posted somewhere around the house helps solidfy the rules, making them more formal and permanent.
4. Reward, don't punish. If you feel like people have respected your set of rules, reward them. Like kids, sometimes people just need some patting on the back to know their extra mile is being fully appreciated. Cookies and candy works for everyone.