Gonz's rules on rooms were:
No filth, and by filth I meant food scraps, etc. Any food eaten in rooms had the dishes out that night. Failure to do so would result in a loss of food privileges in rooms.
All dirty clothes in a basket/hamper. All clean clothes put up. When I ask you to put clothes up, "Now" is implied. If I meant a half hour from now, I'd have waited until a half hour from now to ask you to do it.
Closets and under the bed are included in "Clean your room."
Only furniture and rugs go on the floor.
Dusting and vacuuming once a week.
Sheets changed, once a week.
I pay the bills. It's my house. That's my room - not yours. It is your QUARTERS. It is subject to entry and inspection when I see fit, for any reason. If you put a lock on anything, it will be opened and inspected on general principles.
You are a child. You have no right to privacy. Having your door closed is a privilege, not a right. Private phone calls are a privilege, not a right. Use of the internet in your room is a privilege, not a right. I am/was the administrator on any computer (a) belonging to anyone under 18, or (b) hooked to my network.
I will ask once, tell twice, and do it myself in lieu of a third time - maybe. I might just do it right away. If I have to clean up, I will do it my way. If I throw anything important away, tough shit. Once I throw it away, it stays in the trash. If you don't want me in the room, keep it clean.
If I have to do any of your chores, you are grounded for a week - no phone or internet (And I cut it off at the switch). If you complain about it, it goes to two weeks. Do I hear three?
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All in all, though - it isn't important WHAT my rules were, though. What is important is this:
X is the expected behavior
Y is the consequences
if not X, then Y
No negotiations, no tears, no pleading, no appeal, and no parole or probation. Period. If I say "Grounded for two weeks," wham. And you do the full sentence. Any violation of the terms started it all over again. Do not make threats you are not willing to follow up on, do not open it for discussion, and do not tolerate disrespect.
