Change Your Brain Every Day - Dr. Daniel Amen's 6 Family Rules to Raise Happy, Well-Behaved Kids

Episode Date: February 6, 2026

In this week's mini episode, Dr. Daniel Amen goes over 6 Family Rules to Raise Happy, Well-Behaved Kids.

Every day you are making your brain better or you are making it worse. Stay with us to learn how you can change your brain for the better every day. Talk to your kids about boundaries, limits, and rules because they let them know what to expect and help them feel safe. Like society has rules, families should as well, but not too many. One of my OCD patients posted 108 rules on the refrigerator, which was overwhelming for everyone. Here are some of our favorite family rules. One, tell the truth. Honesty builds trust.

If you make this a family rule, you have to tell the truth. Kids do what you do, what you model, now what you tell them to do. For kids who have trouble with the truth, I do an intervention called truth training. I have parents say, sometimes I'm going to ask you about things I already know the answer to. And if you tell me the truth, I'll be really happy. And if not, there will be consequences. Rule number two, we treat each other with respect. For younger kids, spell it out.

This means no yelling, hitting, kicking, name-calling, or put-downs. Disrespect breeds conflict, isolation, and loneliness. Model respect and make it the expected norm in your family, and it will help kids build positive relationships with others. Three, one of my favorite rules do what mom or dad say the first time. Parents often tell me they have to tell their kids to do something five or ten times. If you tell a child to do something 10 times, then you get upset.

You're teaching them they don't have to obey until you lose control. When we tell one of the kids to take out the trash, for example, if he or she doesn't start moving, within a reasonable time, we'll say, you can do it now, or you can have this consequence, and then you still have to do it. It's up to you. we train them that we're serious the first time we say things.

When you communicate and reinforce clear expectations, kids generally get the message. Just do it in a firm and kind way, always rooting for their success. Four, put things away you take out. We believe in building accountability and responsibility even in small children. Chores and work build self-esteem. Five, ask for permission before you go somewhere.

Even though many kids complain about it, parents need to check where their kids are, who they're with, and what they're doing. Kids hate when you check, and they hate it more when you don't because they think you don't care. Of all the rules, our favorite one is don't make a problem. It encompasses all the rules.