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Parenting Tip: Set Rules for Your Home to Build a Foundation of Love, Order, and Faith

  • Writer: Victory Academy
    Victory Academy
  • Oct 29
  • 3 min read

Updated: Nov 10

A child playing on the swing at Victory Academy in Raleigh, NC

Raising children in today’s world can feel like walking upstream. Everywhere you turn, culture says “Let kids find their own way,” or “Don’t be too strict—just love them and let them grow naturally.”


But God’s Word paints a very different picture of parenting. Scripture calls us to train, guide, and discipline our children in love—because those early years shape who they will become for the rest of their lives.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”— Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)


Why Rules Matter


Most of a child’s character and personality is molded by the age of nine. The attitudes and values that show up in adulthood are planted during those first few years. That’s why clear boundaries and loving discipline are essential—not optional.


Rules provide children with security, consistency, and understanding. They help kids know what’s expected, what’s acceptable, and how to take responsibility for their actions. Far from being restrictive, godly rules create freedom—the freedom that comes from knowing how to live wisely.

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”— Ephesians 6:4 (NKJV)

Parenting tip: Keep It Simple! A Short List Works Best


A long list of rules can overwhelm both kids and parents. Instead, focus on a few clear, all-encompassing principles that guide everyday behavior.


Here are three simple house rules that work in nearly every situation:


  1. Always Obey All Authority.This includes parents, teachers, pastors, and anyone placed in a position of responsibility. It teaches respect and humility—two traits that build character and open doors in life.

  2. Get Along with Your Brothers and Sisters. No fussing, fighting, or name-calling. Respect one another and one another’s belongings. Learning to live in peace at home prepares children to live in peace everywhere else.

  3. Tell the Truth—Never, Ever Lie.Honesty is the foundation of trust. Scripture is clear that truth-telling honors God and lying aligns with the enemy (John 8:44). In your home, make honesty sacred—and celebrate when your children tell the truth, even when it’s hard.


Establish the Standard


Once you’ve decided on your house rules:

  • Write them down and post them where everyone can see.

  • Talk through them as a family so everyone understands what they mean.

  • Explain the “why.” Help your children see that these rules aren’t about control—they’re about growing into the people God created them to be.


And most importantly—live them out yourself.Children learn far more by what we do than by what we say. Be the example of obedience, peace, and honesty that you want to see reflected in your home.



Discipline with Love and Purpose


Discipline isn’t about anger or punishment—it’s about training. Just as God lovingly corrects us, we lovingly guide our children toward right choices.


For younger children, correction may include physical consequences (always measured, never in anger). For older ones, it may mean loss of privileges or meaningful consequences that teach responsibility.


Whatever the form, consistency matters most. Correction without consistency creates confusion. Consistency creates character.

“The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.”— Proverbs 29:15 (NKJV)

The Goal: A Self-Governed Heart


Ultimately, our role as parents is to help our children develop an internal compass—a heart that responds to God even when we’re not watching. When we lovingly train, discipline, and pray with our kids, we’re doing more than enforcing rules; we’re shaping hearts that will one day be led by the Holy Spirit.

Set clear rules. Keep them simple. Live them consistently. And through it all, lead your children to know and love the Lord.

Because the goal isn’t just well-behaved kids—it’s raising sons and daughters who walk in truth, peace, and godly wisdom.



💡 Parent Tip: 3 Ways to Make House Rules Stick


1. Keep Them Visible.

Post your family rules where everyone can see them—on the fridge, a bulletin board, or your child’s bedroom door. Visibility builds consistency.


2. Talk About Them Often.

Use everyday moments—at dinner, bedtime, or in the car—to remind your child why these rules matter and how they honor God.


3. Model What You Teach.Kids notice how you respond to authority, conflict, and truth. When you live out the same standards you set, your example reinforces every lesson.

“The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.”— Proverbs 20:7 (NKJV)






🌱 Learn More About Victory Academy


At Victory Academy, we believe early childhood is the perfect time to plant seeds of faith, character, and purpose. Our classrooms are filled with meaningful learning moments where children discover God’s world through play, curiosity, and loving guidance.


Visit VictoryAcademyRaleigh.com to learn how we partner with families to help every child grow—spiritually, academically, and emotionally—in a safe and nurturing environment.


Have any other parenting tips? Share them in the comments below!

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