If you’re like many American parents, in spite of your best efforts, your family can seem about as far from perfect as possible. Your kids appear to lack all semblance of motivation; you have to nag them to clean their rooms and do their homework. When you try to talk to them, they grunt at you because they’re zoned out in front of the TV or texting their friends 24/7 (or both). Meanwhile, you and your spouse aren’t doing much better: It seems when you do communicate, you’re either complaining about your day or snapping at each other. And don’t even ask about the state of your house—it’s a wreck!

In short, your family is out of control. So many things seem wrong, it’s hard to know where to even begin to fix it all. There’s good news, though: David and Andrea Reiser, authors of Letters From Home: A Wake-up Call for Success & Wealth, say that you can change your family dynamics and home life for the better.

“Essentially, your household is an organic system,” according to Andrea. “That means that making the right changes in certain areas—those connected to basic life values—can yield dramatic improvements in seemingly unrelated ones.”

“Take, for instance, respect,” David said. “When you respect your family members, you’ll not only speak kindly, you’ll be on time for dinner and hang up your clothes instead of throwing them on the floor. You’ll naturally want to help each other instead of making your family members miserable or creating more work for them to do.”

In fact, the fruits they’ve seen grow from instilling basic life values in their own household inspired Andrea and David to write Letters From Home. Written in the form of letters to the authors’ four sons, the book explores fifteen basic American virtues that built our country and that foster individual and familial success.

“From our own experience—as well as through observing others we respect—we’ve come to the conclusion that if parents want aligned, appreciative, and (relatively) angst-less households, they’ve got to explicitly identify the values they want their kids to learn,” Andrea said. “And they’ve got to invoke limits, set expectations, and impose moral guidelines.”

“It might not be easy, but you’ve got to realize that you’re a parent first and foremost,” she added. “Your job is to guide and teach—not to be a friend or to win your child’s approval. Oh, and for anything to stick, parents have to walk the walk, too!”

Ready to start overhauling your household? Read on for thirteen simple but powerful changes that can make a big difference in how your family operates:

• Make a “positive meal times” rule. No one is allowed to gripe or argue. Many days, meals are the only times when everyone (or nearly everyone) is together—and the prevailing mood can set the tone for family interactions for hours, if not days, to come. Instead of focusing on what’s wrong, consciously discuss good things that have happened and what you’re all looking forward to doing in the future.

“Believe me, I know what it’s like to sit down at the table and be tempted to complain about a rough day at work or a traffic-filled commute or all of the things I have to get done before I go to bed,” David said. “But complaining doesn’t make me feel any better, and it certainly doesn’t accomplish anything constructive. However, when I hear what my kids have learned in school or share how I accomplished a goal at work, I really do feel more optimistic and energized. And so do my family members.”

• Homework comes before free time. No exceptions. Even if your kids have five hours before bed and only an hour of homework to complete, they should tackle their assignments before engaging in the “fun” stuff. This will teach them to prioritize responsibly because their best efforts will be going toward the tasks with lasting value.

“Your kids may complain that you’re being ‘unfair,’ and they might make a fairly cogent argument for playing now and working later—mine sure have!” Andrea said. “But I’ve learned to stand firm unless there are truly extraordinary circumstances afoot. This way, their concentration and energy levels aren’t compromised by tiredness—and they’re learning valuable habits that will serve them well in college and in the working world.”

• Divvy up household chores and insist that they’re done daily. It takes a lot to keep a house clean, in good repair, and tidy. And just because you’re the adult does not mean you should do it all! Make sure everyone contributes. Even small children can put their toys away. Not only will this keep the house clean, it will teach a healthy work ethic and demonstrate the value of sharing responsibilities.

“It’s your choice as to whether you want your family to be three or four or six or eight separate individuals living under one roof or one cohesive team,” said David. “Sure, teams have fun—but they also pitch in to share the load. Explain to your kids that everyone needs to help so that the house is a comfortable, safe place to live—and let them see you scrubbing and straightening, too!”

• Become an on-time (or early!) family. How often are you and your kids scrambling around, frantically trying to get to school or work or soccer on time? From now on, strive to make the answer “almost never.” Building a few extra minutes into your schedule isn’t hard—but it has immense value. Timeliness reflects well on anyone’s character and contributes greatly to peace of mind. Get behind a slow car? No matter! This erstwhile annoyance won’t set you off because you’ve got extra time.

“Knowing that you’re running late is a terrible feeling—plus, it tends to blow other snags and minor incidents out of proportion,” Andrea said. “If your child spills juice in the car, for example, you won’t get nearly as upset if you have a few extra minutes to spare. More importantly, though, you’ll be considered more reliable and treated with more respect—inside and outside your family—if you keep your word when time is involved.”

• Make one day a week a no-electronics day. Yes, you read that right. The Reisers really are suggesting that you ban all types of electronic entertainment for one day a week. On this day, no one can watch TV, play video games, or text their friends. No one can zone out in front of the computer (this means parents, too!).

“When you pull the plug, your family will be forced to interact with each other or find other productive things to do,” David explained. “Believe it or not, you’ve all got important stories to share with one another, games to play together, and projects to complete as a team. No, electronics aren’t bad—far from it, but they do have a tendency to be seen as ‘essentials’ when they truly aren’t.”

• Choose a “cause” to support as a family. While America seems to be filled with an increasing number of selfish, entitled children (and adults!), your family doesn’t have to swell those numbers. One of the biggest antidotes to self-centeredness, say the Reisers, is giving back—plus, donating time and money to those who need it fosters perspective, counteracts the “gimmies,” and establishes a meaningful connection with the human race as a whole.

“Some of the most meaningful, lasting pleasure our family has experienced has come from lending a helping hand where it’s needed,” Andrea said. “And believe me, giving back and serving others don’t have to be hard. Your family could take part in a fundraising walk or take holiday gifts to a nursing home or volunteer at an animal shelter once a week. The rule is that everyone must contribute. This teaches gratitude and selflessness.”

• Make sure that politeness is paramount. Explain to your kids the importance of using respectful language like “yes, ma’am,” “no, sir,” “please,” and “thank you,” and also teach them basic politeness tenets like looking others in the eye and extending a hand to shake. Model these behaviors yourself in public and at home and praise your kids when you see them following your lead.

“More than once, I’ve had store clerks and teachers and acquaintances of all sorts tell me how unusual it is that my kids use good manners and treat others politely,” David said. “And to me, that’s bittersweet. I’m proud of my boys, but I’m also sad that polite behavior seems to be the exception rather than the norm. Treating others with dignity and respect doesn’t cost anything—and its rewards are manifold.”

• Teach your kids to disagree agreeably (and do it yourself, too). Getting into disagreements from time to time is part of life—but outright fights don’t have to be. Model the art of healthy conflict to your kids—at home and in public. For example, hear your spouse out when you disagree and reply without raising your voice. Strive for direct communication instead of passive-aggressive manipulation. These communication strategies will foster mutual respect and help create authentic relationships—inside and outside of your home.

“Nobody’s perfect—we all ‘lose it’ from time to time,” Andrea said. “However, David and I firmly believe when you learn to disagree agreeably, you greatly increase the odds for a better understanding of the situation and for a satisfactory resolution. And in all interactions—disagreements or not—listen with the intent to understand rather than the intent to respond. There’s a big difference!”

• Place a premium on respect. Respect isn’t something you can choose to show when you feel like it. It’s an attitude you either have or you don’t. Don’t allow bad language or name-calling under any circumstances, and teach your kids to be polite and deferential to all established authority figures—regardless of whether they agree with what they’re being told to do or not.

“For example, if your daughter disagrees with a grade she received on a paper, encourage her to make an appointment with the teacher to have a constructive dialogue about the reason for the grade,” David said. “Coach her to raise her points calmly, politely, and respectfully, and insist that she, in turn, listen respectfully to the teacher’s explanation.”

“Respect isn’t something that only kids should show,” David added. “It’s a mark of maturity to conduct your own affairs respectfully, too. Always remember that your kids are watching your every move—and listening to your every word—and that their behavior will reflect what they notice. So if you’re pulled over for speeding, for example, admit your mistake gracefully instead of arguing with the cop.”

• When big decisions or issues loom, hold family meetings to get everyone’s input. Obviously, Mom’s and Dad’s opinions carry the most weight in a majority of situations, but as long as the issue or decision at hand is age-appropriate, it’s important for everyone’s opinion to be heard and considered. This sort of consideration and transparency will foster respect all around.

“Again, this goes back to facing life as a team,” Andrea said. “Some big decisions are full of hope and excitement. For example, our family decided to move to a completely new state and town because the new location offered educational, cultural, social, and professional opportunities we’d been dreaming of. Other major issues—like dealing with a serious illness in the family—are decidedly less comfortable to discuss, but it’s equally important to involve everyone.”

• Make saving a family affair. There’s no doubt about it: raising a family and running a household are expensive! While it’s true that everyone can’t contribute equally, it’s a wise idea for everyone to contribute something—especially toward non-essential but much-anticipated objects and experiences. Involving your kids will teach them more about saving, prioritizing, and the value of a dollar than words ever could!

“For big family expenses like vacations, a new PC, a dog, or a pool, get everyone in on the financial prep,” David said. “Resolve not to pay with credit and explain that since everyone will be benefiting, everyone should contribute—even if it’s only $1 a week. Benefits include teaching how to save and budget responsibly. Plus, everyone will really value the end result.”

• Insist that everyone set goals and report on them regularly. Teach your kids early on that setting realistic goals is a great way to stay on track and to get to where they want to be—especially when folks who care about them are there to help them along.

“Setting goals is a great way to get kids (and you, too!) thinking about what they really want and to drive home lessons about perseverance, self-discipline, and patience,” Andrea said. “On a weekly basis, have everyone in the family share what positive things they’re working toward.”

•  Promise that everyone (yes, you too!) will face the music when rules are broken. “Do as I say, not as I do” is no way to teach your kids lasting values. When you or your spouse make mistakes, admit it! You don’t have to ground yourselves, but you should issue apologies where necessary and do what you can to rectify things.

“To some extent, you can ensure that your kids behave the way you want them to,” David explained. “After all, you’re the one supporting them, setting limits and expectations, rewarding them, and punishing them. However, your own behavior in relation to what you expect from your kids will often determine whether or not the values you teach stick with them or are abandoned after they leave home.”

“Yes, your family is a team to which everyone contributes, and all members should be mutually encouraging, transparent, and loving—but don’t lose sight of who’s ultimately in charge,” Andrea said. “Remember that your number one role is not to be your kids’ best friend. It’s to raise productive, responsible, accountable human beings—and to do that, you’ve got to set boundaries and exercise your authority. Period.”

David Reiser is a senior vice president–wealth management at MorganStanley SmithBarney and co-author of Wealthbuilding: Investment Strategies for Retirement and Estate Planning (Wiley, 2002). David has appeared on CNBC, CNN, NBC, ABC, Bloomberg TV, and PBS. In his free time, David enjoys fine dining, Broadway theatre, and bodysurfing with his four sons at the beach in Amagansett, New York.

Andrea Reiser is a graduate of Boston University College of Communication, co-author of Wealthbuilding: Investment Strategies for Retirement and Estate Planning (Wiley, 2002), and a busy mom with a sense of humor. Andrea’s interests include cooking, live music, fine dining, interior decorating, nonfiction reading, digital photography, blogging, musical theater, and rooting for the Boston Red Sox.

Letters From Home: A Wake-up Call for Success & Wealth (Wiley, 2010) is available at bookstores nationwide, major online booksellers, or directly from the publisher by calling 800-225-5945. For more information, please visit www.ReiserMedia.com.