Setting rules and limits is important for families as it improves relationships and behavior. Effective limit setting involves good communication, respect, trust, fairness, and adjusting rules as children age. When limits are not set properly, it can lead to conflict, rebellion, lack of trust, and damage to relationships.

1. Setting Limits
Katie and Bec

2. Making rules and setting limits
 Making rules and setting limits are
important in any family as it improves our
relationship with our family members and
also with the outside world. Rules and
limits improves our behavior and gives
people security because people know
what’s expected of them. It gives a sense
of belonging and helps trust and honesty.

3. What is it?
 Creating a line between what is
expected on the child/teenager, what is
allowed and what is not allowed.
 These limits can impact/be impacted by:
 Culture/religion
 Gender
 Age
 Parenting styles
 Personalities

4. How are setting limits
effectively achieved?
 Good communication
 Respect
 Trust
 Fairness
 Reconciliation of values and goals
 Coming to an agreement about aspects of
life e.g. religion/culture
 Adjusting rules and limits as age of dependent
increases and their sensibility increases

5. Example: Good
communication
 A parent wants their child to put their toys
away. In order to achieve good
communication, the parent would ask
them to do so while also explaining the
reasons why and perhaps a consequence
if the child does not follow through.
 “Please put your toys away so we can go to
the park. If your room isn’t ready in ten
minutes we can’t go.”

6. Example: Adjusting rules and
limits as the child grows older
 When a child is younger, the parent may
not wish for them to stay home alone. As
they become a teenager, however, they
may relax this rule.

7. What happens when it isn’t
achieved?
 Conflict
 Rebellion
 Disrespect
 No trust
 Lack of honesty
Leading to…
 Disintegration of positive relationship
 Negative wellbeing for both dependent and
carer/parent