Information Section: Conditions
Condition: Executive Dysfunction
Article: House Rules for My Teenager
Source: Leslie E. Packer, PhD    

Page  1 of 1

HOUSE RULES

I. Thou shalt have some goals and know which goals are more important than others.

Going to the movies is not as important as completing a project worth 25% of your grade, despite what you might wish.

II. Thou shalt have a plan of orderly steps to achieve each goal, making sure that you have what you need to complete each step before you need it.

If you really plan on printing out your homework at 2:30 in the morning because it's due the next day, at least make sure that you have printer paper. Staples is not open at 2:30 a.m., and I will not wake up to drive you around to all-night stores.

III. Thou shalt organize your thoughts, belongings, time, and space, always treating your planner and To Do lists as sacred objects.

No, I do not know where your papers or house keys are. If you have to frequently ask me where your things are, let's talk about helping you develop a better plan to organize yourself.

IV. Thou shalt not procrastinate but begin developing your plan immediately and working on your plan at a pace that is neither so quick that you make careless errors nor so slow that you miss any deadline.

Always allow yourself more time than you think you'll need. And even if your friends are waiting to go out with you, it is NOT all right to stick the dirty dishes under your bed.

V. Thou shalt not allow yourself to be distracted by the lure of sirens, be the sirens beautiful creatures or fire horns, and shall sustain your attention on working your plan.

It is ok to listen to your music to help you concentrate on your homework if it really does help you, but talking to your friends in a chat room or through Instant Messenger does not help you get your work done faster or better.

VI. Thou shalt listen carefully to the feedback from the sages and your peers so that you may adjust your plan, your pacing, or your behavior.

When peers and parents give you conflicting advice, remember that we still control your access to the car.

VII. Thou shalt be like the willow tree, responding quickly and flexibly to changes in the wind.

If we announce a change in family plans, you may have a fit in your room if you must, but we expect you to cooperate with the change quickly and without being abusive to us.

VIII. Thou shalt be moderate in your emotional displays, neither under-reacting nor over-reacting to situations.

Slamming doors and stomping around the house is usually not warranted.

IX. Thou shalt write or record all important information so that you may access it when it is needed.

Do not count on calling your friends at 2:00 a.m. to find out the homework assignment.

X. Thou shalt finish what you begin.

Saying "I tried" is not going to help you keep a job when you are older. Saying "I finished it" will. This does not apply to gaming or watching TV, however. You don't need to finish those.

Information Section: Conditions
Condition: Executive Dysfunction
Article: House Rules for My Teenager
Source: Leslie E. Packer, PhD    

Page  1 of 1

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