Hellobee Boards

I am never on my phone when I am picking up my kiddos. Never. If I need to respond to an email or handle a call, I do it in the parking lot before I go in (for a quick email), or during the drive to daycare.

@pwnstar: Ugh! Me too! People do this?!

Ha! I personally think the sign is awesome. But, I suppose the tone is a bit harsh. I wonder if they tried gentler methods without success?

I've also seen parents squat in their cars in a parking space on their phones for like 20 mins. Parking is limited in our daycare, so this really annoys me also.

My son tells me to put down my phone...he tells me "stop working on your phone" when he wants my attention.

Is it strongly worded? Yes. But we're starting to be ridiculous about our phones.

@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: wow thats strong. I agree with the message but not the tone. I never use my phone when I pick up because I need my hands to be free plus I like to really alert to see everything thats going on. I'm always paranoid about hygiene and safety so i look around at everything and how other teachers are interacting with other children

@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: It might be a wee bit harsh, but the message needs to be delivered.

When I was on maternity leave, I would regularly take the baby to the park for a stroll so that I could get some fresh air and exercise. I was similarly appalled by the lack of supervision for most of the littles on the playground . . . almost every caregiver present (I assume it was a mix of parents and nannies/caregivers) spent the majority of the time on their phone (at least during the time I could see them). I helped several dangling children get down from a jungle gym, and helped another find his parent (he asked a stranger(!)) for help.

@Pumpkin Pie: What is with the f*cking squatting?! We also have limited parking, and since I pick up an infant and a preschooler, there are a few spaces that make it much easier to do a combo pickup, and those are always the spots the squatters take.

I'm as addicted to my phone as anybody, but I'm baffled by how or why someone could be taking a call during daycare pick-up. Don't you need both hands to gather your kid's stuff, get their coat/hat/gloves on etc? BUT, the sign is completely ridiculous regardless. If the teachers have a problem with a parent's behavior they should address it directly with them. Passive-aggressive lectures delivered via public notes are always rude, and not excusable unless they are announcing a legitimate safety issue.

I am totally fine with this message. Some parents just drive me crazy with their behavior. Of course I am not talking about the occasional phone call I am talking about the repeat offenders.

I am not even joking that these two things have happened in the last two weeks:

1) I watched a dad, 3 days in a row (apparently we were on the same schedule those 3 days) walk up to the main door (which enters you into the "foyer" - theres another door to get in to the center but it is not locked/coded) opened it, and basically ushered his son in - then turned and walked away, all the while on his cell phone.

2) a Mom who always picks up which talking on her phone, usually puts it to the side when she greets her son, out to the car and proceeded to drive through the parking lot staring at her phone - and not slowly.

I notified the director about both. I have zero tolerance for the woman staring at her phone in the parking lot where children are ALWAYS a risk. And the dad who opens the door and shoves his son in...ugh - I mean I get it, things come up, but three days in a row?! Take 5 minutes to walk your child to their classroom.

If this was an issue, our preschool would just a group email that was very nicely worded. I've never seen any parents on their phone though.

I always leave my phone in the car for preschool pick-up because I know I am addicted and that way I can be present for LO and her teacher.

The wording of the sign is over-the-top though. I'd rather send my child to a school where the people in charge can present a policy like this in a professional, tactful manner.

I agree with the message of the sign. While the wording may be harsh, it's probably a really bad problem at that particular school/daycare.

I never have my phone when picking up my girls. I'm always so happy to see them and want to hear about their day.

DS1 is soooo stinking excited to see us that he sprints over for a big hug while yelling and often wants to be carried out to the car. So we always take two trips - to get his stuff moved to the car first and THEN to get him from his classroom. I couldn't look at my phone if I wanted to!

On one hand I think the tone of the sign is totally unprofessional for a business to post.

On the other hand, picking my daughter up at daycare is the highlight of my freaking day. Dropping her off is the last sweet minutes I get with her until then. I never bring my phone into daycare. I feel sad for the parents and kids that this sign applies to.

I'm in the minority on this one but that sign would get an eye roll from me. I get it, most of us are on our phones too much but it's not their business what I do.

I always leave my phone in the car.

And I might be a squatter... Sorry! @pwnstar: @Pumpkin Pie: I'm on call and I leave the office earlier than most people so everyone's always calling me! I have to wrap up work calls before I go in to get LO!

I detest passive aggressiveness. Their staff obviosuly noticed this behavior, from the tone of the note, it happens often. It would have been more appropriate to send home a memo followed up by a general talk. They could have implemented a "no cellphone rule" at pick-up and drop-off. Posting this type of message is innaproriate for a business - they are asking for contraversy.

Having said that, none of the parents at our daycare (myself included) have their phones out.

@Purpledaisy: I agree.

And if they really want to share their expertise put it in a newsletter, on their blog, etc., sans the judgy sanctimonious tone which doesn't help anyone.

ETA I usually have my phone with me but aside from checking the date or time I don't use it. I don't think I've even sent a text except when dd was going potty.

I am on my phone too much too, but can't even really consider using my phone at dropoff because I don't have an extra hand available to hold it.

But you know what? I am a working mom that runs a client-facing team of 25 people and generally manages to squeeze what should be a 50-hr/week job into 40 hours so I can spend more time at home with my son. One reason I can get away with this is because I can be available electronically. And one way that I manage to juggle household management with everything else is by leveraging electronic transactions.

So am I sometimes blowing off steam by reading social media or other trashy internet? Sure. But often the reason I am glued to my phone is because it is a critical part of my life juggle.

Regardless of how important my job is/isn't in the grand scheme of things, my family depends on my income and my coworkers depend on my availability. And it is important to me that I maintain my ability to support myself.

If people want to waste their energy judging me for that, then I think it's a shame they can't find something more important to do.