Page 207 - Resources and Support for the Online Educator

Household Guidelines • Chapter 7

“Be honest, open and own my mistakes.” (encourages them to take risks,
but also to engage in conversation when a mistake happens)

Signing on the Dotted Line

There are thousands of these kinds of rules available on Pinterest or through
web searches. However, I’d caution you against taking that clever teakwood
sign with chalk and posting it as a work of art. These guidelines should be
malleable and amendable in the future. Also, they are to be created and agreed
to by everyone in the family. So, when you make the poster, have everyone sign
on the bottom line like a contract. You can refer to this signature in the future
should a rule ever be tested or challenged—because it will be.

PARENT TOOLKIT

Creating a Household Guidelines Agreement Poster
Purpose: Hang a poster with agreed-upon household guidelines for tech-
nology and life behavior

Apps/tools: Poster paper, chalkboard, or whiteboard
Setup: Go through some scenarios with your kids and brainstorm ideas
for rules and consequences. Group these rules into a more general set of
guidelines with a positive spin and write them on the poster. Have everyone
in the household sign the bottom.

You know it’s a success when: Your family avoids potential pitfalls of
negative online and social behavior. You find yourself arguing and battling
with your kids less and less about their actions with devices, technology,
and social media. Your whole family grows closer, communicates more,
and learns from each other’s mistakes.

Mobile Learning Mindset: The Parent’s Guide to Supporting Digital Age Learners 87

Mobile Learning Mindset: The Parent’s Guide to Supporting Digital-Age Learners 207