Rabbit Warren House Rules
Written for Kids – But Applies to Everyone!

Most important:
·    Be nice. Treat everyone with respect.
·    Everyone should look out for and help take care of each other.
·    No hitting or kicking anyone (unless you have permission).
·    You should ask before kissing or hugging too.
·    No running, skipping, jumping, yelling or playing rough inside the house. People get injured, things get broken and it is very disruptive for other people.
·    We expect you to listen to your hosts (the Rabbits) and others who try to help you follow the rules.
·    If you need help, ask for it. If you ask nicely, remembering to say “please” and “thank you,” you are more likely to get it.
·    No tantrums allowed. If you do, you will be sent on a time-out or asked to leave.

When you come in:
·    Knock before entering our house. If you are not expected, wait for someone to answer. We prefer people call before coming by.
·    Do not sit on the arms or backs of the chairs or sofas (they have broken repeatedly).
·    No shoes on the furniture.
·    If you take your shoes off, please put your socks inside your shoes and the shoes under the table by the door (or in the office during a party). Do not leave them out – others will trip on them!
·    If you take off a coat or sweater, hang it on a hook by the door. (During a party this may be in the office instead.) Remember to get it when you leave.

Food and drinks:
·    Use a coaster under any drinks set on furniture other than the main table (especially on wood surfaces).
·    If you get yourself food, please use a plate and napkin. We would rather clean the plate than the floor.
·    We use cloth napkins instead of paper. Please use these instead of a paper towel. Put used cloth napkins in the laundry hamper in the bathroom.
·    Please put recyclables such as plastic, aluminum, glass and paper in the blue recycle bin in the kitchen.
·    Please put trash in a trash can. (There is one in every room.)
·    When you are done eating or drinking, take the dishes to the kitchen.
·    All food scraps get put in the silver bucket (compost bin) in the kitchen when you are done eating.
·    Scrape and rinse your dishes and put them on the counter to the right of the sink. Do NOT leave them in the sink.
·    If you make a mess in the kitchen (or elsewhere), even just crumbs, please clean it up.
·    Never put anything on altars (the small special wood tables) or bookshelves (without permission).
·    If you get something out of the refrigerator, please put it back after and close the door. Oh, and watch out, the door can smack into the counter when you open it.

Bathrooms:
·    There are three bathrooms in the house. If one is busy, use one of the other ones. (Mary can only use the downstairs one, so please give her preference.)
·    Shut the door when you go so people know the bathroom is busy. Open it when you leave so people know it is available. (Except for the downstairs one which we now close because of cat problems.)
·    Always flush the toilet after using it.
·    Put both the seat and the lid down on the toilet when you are finished.
·    Hang up your towels in the bathroom. Do not leave towels on the floor or furniture.
·    Do not play with the water or make a mess in the bathroom.
·    If you have an accident, tell an adult in charge.
·    Turn off the light when you leave the bathroom.

Rowan’s room:
·    Everything in the Fairy Room belongs to our son, Rowan. He lets other kids play in his room only if they treat his things well.
·    No food or drinks in Rowan’s room. Water bottles only.
·    Do not make a mess. If you do make a mess, you have to clean it up.
·    Anything you move, you must put back where it was when you found it.
·    You may play with the toys on the open shelves.
·    You may not take anything out of his drawers, cupboard or closet unless you have permission from either Rowan or one of his parents.
·    To play with messy toys, such as paint or Playdoh, you have to have an adult’s permission.
·    When a group of kids play together, we expect all to help pick up equally!
·    Please turn lights out and close the door when you leave the room, if it is empty of other people.

In the yard:
·    The playground equipment and toys are for kids. Make sure to put all the toys away when you are done.
·    Play safe and good with each other. If there is a problem, get an adult.
·    Shoes are required in the backyard. There are sometimes sharp objects in the grass.
·    No more than two people on the trampoline at the same time. Do not play rough there, people get injured.
·    Take shoes off when on the trampoline but put them back on when you get off.
·    Kids should not leave the yard without permission.
·    Do not play with things that are not for kids. Do not play in the garden or with the garden statues, tools, dirt or plants.
·    Do not play with dirt or water without adult permission.
·    If you open either of the garden gates, make sure to close them after.
·    You can sit on the chair swing, but do not swing too hard.
·    Make sure not to leave your things outside.
·    Do not play with the fountain in the front.
·    Do not play in the garage.

Adult bedrooms:
·    Do not play in the adult bedrooms or office without permission.
·    If the door to the room is closed, do not enter without permission. If you need to enter, knock and wait for permission before opening the door.

Cats and dog:
·    Our cats like to be petted gently. They will come to you if they want attention. Do not chase them or pick them up. Do not make them stay if they try to walk away.
·    If a cat gets rough, stop playing with the cat and walk away.
·    Don’t let the cats into the office or any of the closed bedrooms. (Each cat has a specific room they are allowed in.)
·    Do not feed the animals anything without permission from the hosts.
·    Do not take the dog out of the run or off his lead without permission.

Leaving:
·    Please gather your belongings before you leave. We really cannot be responsible for left items. Any item left here more than thirty days will either be given away or subsumed into the household belongings.

We like to have company. We try to make our house a safe place for everyone. Please help us keep it that way. Thanks.

Last revised August 1, 2009