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Talk to your kids about boundaries, limits, and rules, because they let them know what to expect

and help them feel safe. Like society has rules, families should as well, but not too many.

One of my OCD patients posted 108 rules on the refrigerator, which was overwhelming for

everyone.

Here are some of our favorite family rules.

One, tell the truth.

Honesty builds trust.

If you make this a family rule, you have to tell the truth. Kids do what you do,

what you model, now what you tell them to do. For kids who have trouble with the truth,

I do an intervention called truth training. I have parents say, sometimes I'm going to ask you about things I already know the

answer to. And if you tell me the truth, I'll be really happy. And if not, there will be

consequences. Rule number two, we treat each other with respect. For younger kids, spell it out.

This means no yelling, hitting, kicking,

name-calling, or put-downs. Disrespect breeds conflict, isolation, and loneliness. Model respect

and make it the expected norm in your family, and it will help kids build positive

relationships with others.

Three, one of my favorite rules, do it mom or dad say the first time. Parents often tell

me they have to tell their kids to do something five or ten times. If you tell a child to do something

ten times, then you get upset. You're teaching them they don't have to obey until you lose

control. When we tell one of the kids to take out the trash, for example, if he or she doesn't start moving,

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