Tool 34 · Checklist · Free
Make a Workable Family Agreement
A recurring rule needs to become a clear agreement.
Try this
Write the rule, each person's part, and what you will do if the plan breaks.
How to use it
Five checks help make the agreement usable: timing, purpose, understanding, a reminder, and proportionate follow-through.
- Discuss it at a calm time rather than inventing a rule mid-argument.
- Explain the practical reason and invite input where it can change the plan.
- Check that everyone understands the expectation and agreed response.
- Give a useful reminder before a predictable difficulty.
- Follow through without humiliation, then review what got in the way.
What it can sound like
These are illustrative examples. Adjust the words to your family and your child's needs.
“The markers stay at the table. If they get used on the wall, we'll put them away and clean together.”
“Let's agree on the check-in, a backup if your phone dies, and when we'll review the plan.”
Watch out for
Adults need to keep their part too. Do not add a harsher consequence in anger or use food and affection as leverage.
If it doesn't fit this moment
Check whether the plan was unclear, unrealistic, or missing support before changing the consequence.
Free template
Our family agreement
Use the prompts for your own preparation. Entries stay in this tab and are not saved or sent to BondSeed. Download your text before leaving the page.
Go a little deeper
Reference reading
These public references support relevant communication principles. They do not validate this tool as an assessment or a tested script.