A World of Many Hats and Not Enough Shoes

Did your parents have rules that you never understood as a child, but now, if you were to think about them you'd say, "Yep, that makes sense?"

I tried to explain that fact to our oldest son the other day as he was asking me why we had so many "strange" rules... so I explained to him when I was a child we had all kinds of "strange" rules...

1. No using the front door - ever
2. No shoes in the house - ever
3. No food in the living room - ever
4. No rough-housing in the living room - ever
5. 5 min. showers
6. Toss dishwater outside
7. Don't spend any money...etc, etc, etc.

(I add the ever because, these were the strictest of rules imagineable and ones that you wouldn't dare break... unless you were home alone from school and then after breaking said rules you'd clean like mad to hide all evidence... sorry Mom!)

Now, as an adult, I understand all these rules and they make perfect sense... back door saves wear on the nice carpet by front door, shoes are dirty, food always ends up in cushions, couches last longer when not jumped on, water saved, less liquid in septic tank, and good money management.  All logical.

It is my turn to have the "strange" rules and my favorite... No laughing in the bathroom.

Why?  When laughing in the bathroom occurs, accidents happen, water gets spilled or, as was the case a little while ago... toothbrushes end up in the toilet. 

One kid starts getting goofy, the other follows suit, the giggles commence, things start getting thrown and wa-la, the open toilet lid (another rule that was broken in the course of the goofiness) makes a perfect basketball hoop for your brother's toothbrush.  Laughing can take place other places, but not in the bathroom.

"Stranger" rules have been broken, my son... just imagine what rules you'll create someday.