Mothers' conceptions of everyday rules for young toddlers: A longitudinal investigation

Mothers' (N = 106) ratings of rules and child compliance for their young ch ildren, and the effects of child temperament and mothers' justifications fo r rules on ratings of rules and compliance, were examined longitudinally at 14 and 24 months. Rules for young toddlers pertained primarily to safety, safeguarding property, interpersonal issues, and, as children got older, co nventions. As expected, mothers endorsed moral justifications for interpers onal rules, prudential justifications for safety and property rules, and co nventional and psychological justifications for conventions. Compliance inc reased significantly with age and was greater for property, safety and inte rpersonal behaviors than for other issues. Parent-rated child temperament a nd harm justifications predicted mothers' ratings of rules and child compli ance, and ratings of rules, compliance, and justifications demonstrated con tinuity over time.