Now this is a feel-good comment. Do you mind sharing one of the dumb rules that you might have been tempted to apply but decided against?
Or “stop it,” out of frustration.
Family members have babysat my kids, and this is a mistake I see all the time. If you tell kids not to do something, always tell them why. And be honest about it. It’s kids’ job to learn about the world, and it’s your job as a parent to teach them about it.
"You can't stay up until midnight because I said so."
Few parents would argue that not letting them stay up until midnight is a dumb rule. But the example certainly has a bad explanation.
The problem with this entire thread is that without concrete examples everyone is imagining their own which, not coincidentally, happen to match their already existing world view.
Here’s the thing, though: it’s true that going to bed early is a good rule, and it’s also true that parents feel entitled; that their rules apply to their kids but not them. That’s one reason kids hate their parents - they often deserve it!