We all have our swords on which we are prepared to die. What parenting rule is non-negotiable for you as a dad? Manners, no boggie eating, shoes off before walking through the house, don’t eat the TV remote?

Here are some of the parenting rules the dads of our Facebook community say matter most to them.

Posted by Life of Dad on Friday, October 13, 2017

Andrew FishPimp Dugan: Don’t feed daddy bogies……. My 4yr old thinks its hilarious and tries every way possible to do so…. She thinks me retching is the funniest sound in the world…. I don’t even know how she learnt to do it…… Help.

Brian Hodge: I asked my 9-year-old daughter what she thought was a rule I have that is most important to me. She said, “Honor your Father and Mother.” Not what I expected, but, I’ll take that.

Ryan Smith: 1) Pleases and thank yous — our 2 year old has them down, she even thanks me for tucking her in at night.

2) Saying sorry when you hurt someone or do something bad.

3) Holding mommy or daddy’s hand when crossing the street or in a parking lot (this one causes some drama).

Donald Lee Bowen: I got a few but here’s some:

1) Stand up for yourself.

2) Don’t eat until everyone is at the table.

3) In my house everyone knows that when they call daddy, whatever the issue is, it’s going to be dealt with. So before you call dad, try and deal with it your self.

4) Be respectful.

5) Oh and right now for my little one: at least keep your underwear on!

Dustin Antolin: Empathy. Forever and always. Always see things from every point of view. Treat others the way you want to be treated. I believe this can be applied to every aspect of everyones lives everyday.

Kyle Schreckengost: Manners. There’s been times the kids will ask for something and I’ll just ignore it until I hear a please or at least “could you do this for me” type of deal. Also, kids never interrupt adults. Not saying what they need isn’t important, but can wait. Unless it’s an emergency.

James Adam Dorsey: One rule for me and my son is try not to lie to me. I always tell him, if you do something wrong just tell me. You may get grounded but you will be grounded longer if you don’t. So far it has worked. He will tell me if he messed up, did something wrong or bad at school.

Jay Jennings Vincent: “You can’t always get what you want.” I have the money to spoil my daughter. I can afford anything she could possibly ask for (short of a personal helicopter:) But, I want her to understand that Daddy can’t buy you happiness. I’ve met too many grown women who have suffered terribly from being raised with this mentality. One day she’ll be set financially. But, until the day I die I will promote hard work, struggle, and learning to live by ones own means. This is so important to me as a parent.

Matthew Henry: I cannot take credit but these are great:
1. Never shake a man’s hand sitting down.
2. There are plenty of ways to enter a pool. The stairs ain’t one.
3. The man at the grill is the closest thing we have to a king.
4. In a negotiation, never make the first offer.
5. Act like you’ve been there before. Especially in the end zone.
6. Request the late check-out.
7. When entrusted with a secret, keep it.
8. Hold your heroes to a higher standard.
9. Return a borrowed car with a full tank of gas.
10. Don’t fill up on bread.
11. When shaking hands, grip firmly and look him in the eye.
12. Don’t let a wishbone grow where a backbone should be.
13. If you need music on the beach, you’re missing the point.
14. Carry two handkerchiefs. The one in your back pocket is for you. The one in your breast pocket is for her.
15. You marry the girl, you marry her whole family.
16. Be like a duck. Remain calm on the surface and paddle like crazy underneath.
17. Experience the serenity of traveling alone.
18. Never be afraid to ask out the best looking girl in the room.
19. Never turn down a breath mint.
20. In a game of HORSE, sometimes a simple free throw will get ’em.
21. A sport coat is worth 1000 words.
22. Try writing your own eulogy. Never stop revising.
23. Thank a veteran. And then make it up to him.
24. If you want to know what makes you unique, sit for a caricature.
25. Eat lunch with the new kid.
26. After writing an angry email, read it carefully. Then delete it.
27. Ask your mom to play. She won’t let you win.
28. See it on the big screen.
29. Give credit. Take the blame.
30. Write down your dreams.

What’s your #1 rule, dad? Share with us on Facebook!

Flickr photo by Valentina Yachichurova.