Many parents opt to send their kids to daycare to watch after their kids when they’re at work all day. But, drop off and pick up can be a hassle for parents.
In many cases, these parents are just starting or finishing their workday. That means they still might need to check emails or take phone calls while picking their kids up from daycare.
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Sometimes, parents are doing three things at once.
Answering work emails, making sure our kids aren’t bleeding, figuring out what to make for dinner — parents are the kings and queens of multitasking.
Daycare workers are constantly telling parents to stay off their phones during pick-up.
Sometimes, it’s hard to get all the kids ready to go when parents are on their phones and not paying attention to their kids.
So much so, that one daycare decided to post a sign on their window for parents to see.
The sign says:
“You are picking up your child! GET OFF YORU PHONE!!! Your child is happy to see you! Are you happy to see your child?? We have seen children trying to hand their parents their work they completed and the parent is on the phone. We have head a child say, “Mommy, mommy, mommy…” and the parent is paying more attention to their phone than their own child. It is appalling. Get off your phone!!”
While the idea behind the sign is understandable, there is some anger behind it.
Sometimes, making a moment or two for your child is important. But, often times, parents could be on the phone for business or an emergency.
After the photo was posted on Facebook, many people were divided.
Some were in complete support of it. One parent wrote:
“I think this is fantastic, and banning phones when picking up your child is great but the way this is worded is awful it’s like they are actually talking down to you! Thankfully my child is in a school where the teacher&parent relationship is just as good as the teacher&child so we all speak to each other with respect!”
Others say all they see are parents on their phones.
“Its so disgusting… I pick up my grandson one day a week from school and 90% of the parents/grandparents are on their phone…” another Facebook user said.
Some think phones should be banned completely.
“Phones shouldn’t be allowed in nurseries/schools due to safeguarding, so staff should be telling parents [they] are not allowed to use their phone,” said one Facebook comment.
Others pointed out that phone calls are sometimes for work or other business.
“Yeah… except when that call is work. And your family relies on your income. And I get off before 5 to pick up my kid, on the understanding that I have to still be available if needed. My point is – we judge too much. I HATE phones. But how do you pretend to know what is actually important versus just your assumption? My husband also has some serious health issues. Should I not answer his calls or texts when I’m at the daycare just so YOU (the person I PAY to care for my child) think I’m paying enough attention to him? Frankly, I’d find another daycare. And before you start – our family bans phones when we’re together. And I frickin’ can’t wait to see my kid. But who am I to judge someone else?” said one Facebook user.
Some said the daycare has no right to say anything.
“What a load of bollocks – no nursery can tell any parent what to do and what is ok we pay their wages and pay for our child if we wanna ignore them and our own child what the hell does it have to do with anyone else ? Get a life you bunch of cranks (I leave my phone in the car when I pick my kids up) but that’s my choice and not because I think they have the right to tell me to nor anyone else,” another user said.
One parent said the point is: enough with the shaming.
“More parent shaming!!! Get stuffed with all your damn parent shaming, it is getting out of hand now! (not saying I do this cause I don’t) heck I’m at work so can’t even get to the school gate to pick my child up, I have to rely on family and friends till I get home from work. You don’t know anyone’s situation so do not judge!!!!!” one user commented.
At the end of the day, as long as you love and care for your kids, who is to judge?
The parent-shamming is getting pretty bad. As long as your kids are healthy and loved, who cares?
What do you think? Was the daycare out of line with this sign.
