The Ten Rules of Household Harmony
Ten rules of household harmony:
1. If you borrow it, put it back. Not two days later, not next week. Borrowing is fine. Not putting it back is not. It doesn’t matter whether you think anyone uses it besides you or not. You’d be surprised.
2. If you spill it, drop it, spray it, drip it, or splatter it, clean it up immediately. This means toothpaste in the sink, sugar/creamer in front of the coffee maker, cereal on the floor, pencil eraser dust on the table, laundry detergent on the dryer, crumbs around the toaster, dirt tracked into the house, a spill from/in the refrigerator, the clothes that missed the hamper, etc.
3. If you use the last of it, please let Mom know. She can’t put it on the shopping list if she doesn’t know.
4. Dirty dishes don’t walk themselves to the kitchen or into the dishwasher. It takes no more effort to put them in the dishwasher or sink than it does to leave them on the counter.
5. If you empty it, fill it back up. Mom is not the only one who knows how to refill a soap bottle or sugar canister or put a roll of paper towels or toilet paper on the roller.
6. If you open it, close it. Cabinet doors, front doors, side doors, dresser drawers, closet doors…
7. If you turn it on, turn it off. TV, radio, exhaust fan, lights.
8. If it is full, empty it. Trash, laundry, recycle bin, dish drainer, dishwasher…
9. If it is clean and folded, put it away. Mom does all the laundry and folding. The least you can do is put everything away when it’s done.
10. If you take it out, put it back. If you’re not sure where it goes, ask.
