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Daycare’s Message Shaming Parents Over Using Their Phones When They Pick Up Kids Gets Shared Over 2M Times
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Daycare’s Message Shaming Parents Over Using Their Phones When They Pick Up Kids Gets Shared Over 2M Times

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The way you act and the things you do have a huge influence on your children’s development. It’s no secret that kids tend to follow their parents’ example, whether it’s positive and constructive or harmful and destructive.

When a child sees you with your face constantly glued to your smartphone, they’ll think it’s the right thing to do. And that’s paving the way for a lot of problems down the road. A lot of people seem to think that this is an issue, too. So when Juliana Mazurkewicz posted a photo of a note encouraging parents picking up their kids from daycare to get off their phones, the post went viral with over 2 million shares. Scroll down for Bored Panda’s interview with pediatrician Dr. Liz Donner about the effects that parents behaving this way has on their children, as well as for our chat with Juliana.

This photo of a daycare note went viral with over 2 million shares

Image credits: Juliana Mazurkewicz

Bored Panda reached out to Juliana, the mother who posted the photo on Facebook. According to her, since posting the image, her children aren’t in daycare anymore. “But I’ve noticed a big decrease in parents on their phones in the schools.”

“I’m not sure why, but our schools are rural and there’s no signal so that probably has something to do with it. I like it. I think we’re on our phones so much because we gravitate to the most interesting thing and the easiest entertainment within reach.”

“There’s so much entertainment and information here in our hand that it’s extremely hard to resist. It’s hard to change and set a good example. You have to admit to your kid that you’ve been doing something wrong! That’s hard,” she said. “Some social media apps have timers now, so you can see how many minutes (hours?) you’re spending on it each day. That’s very helpful!”

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Kids learn from their parents

“Kids absolutely learn from their parents’ actions,” Dr. Donner told Bored Panda. “Children begin to imitate their parents’ behavior even before the age of one year!”

“Older kids often look to their parents to learn which actions are favorable and appropriate,” the pediatrician pointed out.

Dr. Donner said that, in her opinion, kids are becoming “psychologically addicted to screens from a younger and younger age.”

“I fear that excessive screen time is leading children toward worsening attention deficits, social impairment, emotional dysregulation, learning difficulties, and violent tendencies.” But what can be done about this?

“To reverse these issues on a societal level will take an extreme level of heightened public awareness. It will require the willingness to enforce limitations and adapt personal change on the parents’ behalf.”

Some people did not agree with the note’s message

The vast majority of people supported the message that parents should give their toddlers the attention they deserve and feel responsible for the habits they instill in them.

However, there were some naysayers as well! They were mad that the daycare doesn’t seem to care about some parents’ careers, responsibilities, and accused the photo of shaming moms and dads.

For instance, Megan Zander writes on Scary Mommy that the note’s an attempt to “make mothers feel bad for trying to multitask” and the message it’s trying to send is, therefore, invalid.

“If a daycare wants me off the phone that badly then they better also be willing to watch my children for free. My phone keeps me connected with work, and without my job, the daycare bill isn’t getting paid,” Zander criticized the viral note.

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“Moms aren’t choosing the phone over their child. They’re just trying to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. Working moms face enough judgment already. We don’t need it from the daycare, too,” she added.

It’s important to limit screen time

However, this does make your kids more susceptible to spending way too much time in front of electronic devices. And that’s unhealthy for everyone involved. In a previous interview with Bored Panda, Dr. Donner explained that the biggest challenge parents face when trying to limit their kids’ screen time is finding what to replace it with.

“Limiting screen time increases the amount of valuable real-life skill development. Kids require actual human interaction to enhance their social skills and even motor development. They need to learn to understand real human facial expression, body language, tone of voice, and reciprocal communication skills,” Dr. Donner stressed.

She added: “Screen-free interaction with your children doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Reading a book to them as early as 6 months of age has shown to increase their language and reading skills later in life. Hands-on play time will teach them social interaction and motor skills that are essential to their healthy development. Lastly, we find that less screen time in the toddler years corresponds to lower rates of ADHD by the age of 7.”

Most people supported the idea that parents should get off their phones when picking up their kids

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virgilblue avatar
Virgil Blue
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you cant get off your phone for 10-15 min to.pay a little attention to your kid? Yeah your most likely should not have kids.

tobinkernalphapuck avatar
AlphaPuck
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You make time for what is important. If you cant make time for your kid, you give the impression that whatever is on your phone is more important than your kid.

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emory_ce avatar
Carol Emory
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To the people that say the daycare should respect the parent's need to stay connected with work. What's more important..your work or your child? Because that's what your child is seeing each time they try to share something important with you and there you are..shooshing them so you can talk to your boss/coworker/clients. Your kids don't understand that you supposedly have to work..even when you are not in the office. If your career demands that much of you..then perhaps it's necessary to review why you are doing this job in the first place. And, while I understand that many people are raising kids on their own, it's 5-10 minutes out of your day to hang up the phone and give your undivided attention to your child. The world's not going to end..commerce will not come to a screaming halt. Give your child your attention, please.

emory_ce avatar
Carol Emory
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And in response to Caroline Mendes comments about children being left for 20 minutes. We have a local restaurant that says "Unattended children will be given a double espresso and a free puppy....."

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monkeystikx avatar
Herb Eaversmells
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Picking up your kids from daycare, should take no more than ten minutes. If you can't step away from your phone/work for ten minutes for your kids, you may need to evaluate your releshonship with work.

cindygraceagisotelis avatar
Wasn’t Me
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Geez, they're only little once! For the rest of their life you em will be chasing them for a minute of attention. Enjoy them wanting to talk to you and spend time with you! PUT THE PHONE DOWN. Nothing anyone has to say is more important than my children. NOTHING.

kathrynfellis avatar
Katchen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree that nothing is more important than my children, including my ability to put food on the table and a roof over their heads. Unless I’m on a conference call where I can mute myself, I don’t pick them up while I’m on the phone. That said, you are really jumping to conclusions about how critical or not critical to the parents’ continued employment that phone call is, especially the working mothers who are pressured to hide the fact that they have family responsibilities from their judging employers and coworkers.

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bukola-adanna avatar
Bookey
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I go pick up my child from the daycare, being on my phone is the last thing on my mind. I am just as excited to see him as he is to see me. I don't understand how you can't put your phone away for the few minutes it would take to pick your child up from daycare??

rpder3737 avatar
Felix Feline
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This. I was always so excited to pick up my kids from daycare and school. It was the highlight of my day.

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leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This ranks up there, for me, with people who say "family time" is being had when each family member is on his/her individual iPad, and they are all in cyberspace, but hey, the fact they're in the same house makes it "family time". By that standard, everyone on the bus is family... Just sayin'...

lovetheliz avatar
Liz Karsa
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am 41 and my mom passed away 7 months ago. I am so grateful that we grew up without cell phones so my childhood was full of great memories of her and I and not ones of her on her phone.

deannawoods avatar
deanna woods
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am so sorry for your loss and I 100% agree with you on the growing up before cellphones. When my mom picked me up from preschool was the best time ever.

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jblocker19302 avatar
Jackie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know your phone keeps you connected to work and other responsibilities but when your child is trying to get your attention, give them like 10-15 minutes of your undivided attention.

chrisdifonso avatar
Chris DiFonso
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

" 'If a daycare wants me off the phone that badly then they better also be willing to watch my children for free. My phone keeps me connected with work, and without my job, the daycare bill isn’t getting paid,” Zander criticized the viral note. ' Unless it's an EMERGENCY, can't work issues be set aside for 10 or 15 or 20 minutes? The attitude that Zander projects is that work is more important than her child(ren). Shamefule

leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And th e economy was doing fine pre-cellphone, when people picked up kids from daycare/school and had no contact with work for a whole, oh, 30 minutes! ...

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liz-h-gregory avatar
Nicely
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Picking up my daughter is the best part of my day - the joy of being together again after being kept apart is so sweet. If you cant appreciate those 5-10 minutes without your phone because you're multitasking, then you're wasting your life. Your job does not care about you. Also multitasking is a myth. Finish the damn call before you go in.

mrthubbron avatar
Invisible User
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cue all the supportive comments from hypocrites constantly glued to their phones.

amcgregor7419 avatar
Al Jones
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I totally agree with the message but strongly disagree with the wording, which was seemingly designed to make parents feel either guilt or shame. Messages like that invariably make people get defensive rather than actually change something.

sb256003 avatar
Stevie B
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While some may get defensive, if making them see what they are truly doing causes them guilt or shame, that's on them to change their behavior. It's not like they are insisting that the parent is never on the phone, just for the 5 - 10 minutes when picking up your child, you actually pay attention to the tiny human in front of you, that has not seen you all day. Priorities.

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ggaither207 avatar
dino
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Once I was at a resort in Colorado, where lots of people were outside having fun. I went to the lobby to find this mom, staring at her phone with her daughter playing. At first, I didn’t think anything of it until the girl started picking on my little sister. The mom never looked up once! An hour later, we went to the playground to find the little girl all by herself with the mom still on her phone... I was so mad 😡

stan_cwc avatar
Stan Chung
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In a perfect world, they shouldn't have to be on the phone. The workaround is to NOT multitask.

angelas97 avatar
Smithereens
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That can be your kids’ best part of the day or the worst depending how the day went. Be present and give them all your attention for just a bit..if not you’ll be one of “those parents” who never seems to hear their own kids yelling at an octave that isn’t pleasurable to anybody! You don’t have to be a helicopter parent just your kid’s biggest cheering section especially after school.

kathrynfellis avatar
Katchen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree that parents should be more mindful when they get their children from school, and I like that this note pointed out the children’s feelings, but they totally lost me with their rude tone.

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ggaither207 avatar
dino
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One time I was at a resort in Colorado, when this mom was in the lobby with her child on her phone constantly! The little girl started picking on my little sister, and the mom never looked up once. After that, we went and played with her outside FOR AN HOUR because we saw her alone still playing by herself. That day I was so furious at the mom😡

kathrynfellis avatar
Katchen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am on a sales team with coworkers across four time zones. I have a monthly conference call that falls at 8-9am for my time zone, and my kid starts school at 8:30am. Do I quit my job, or not take my kid to school? I try to mute my phone and say a solid good bye as I drop off my son. I also talk with marketing counterparts at 3pm my time, 6pm their time; I know that cuts into their family time so I try to limit those occasions. Parents should be respectful, but the daycare is, to borrow their own word, *appallingly* rude in their message to parents.

wproctor avatar
WillemPenn
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe don't spend so much time on Bored Panda so you can spend more time with your family. For someone so busy with work, you sure seem to have plenty of time to post.

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sammyanne1_sh avatar
Helen Haley
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And before cell phones parents picking up kids gossiped with each other while their kids tried to get their attention. I love kids, but they are attention goblins. It is the nature of childhood. Heck, we never wanted moms attention until she was on the phone. It was a running joke in our childhood. They aren't onthe phone while they're driving, they'll be talking to their kid about their day. Hop down off the high horse. Do some parents probably have a problem with cell phone time, of course, but blanket shaming everybody and being all judgey isn't helping anyone.

shawtt81 avatar
Shay
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm so glad i didn't have a cell when my children were very small. I see this often in restaurants with the kids looking bored and the parents scrolling social media

idrow avatar
Id row
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Parents do this everywhere when they're out. I've heard complaints of parents being so engrossed on their phone while their kids are neglected and/or having a meltdown in restaurants, supermarkets...anywhere really. They're not going to turn into responsible and present parents suddenly just because someone put a flyer in a window. They're just going to get super offended and pissed off with the "How dare you tell me how to parent!".

jan_deboey avatar
kathrynfellis avatar
Katchen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And 20 years ago we hadn’t sequenced the human genome, either. What’s your point?

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deannawoods avatar
deanna woods
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I totally agree with this. When little kids get out of daycare, they want to tell their parents about their day and they can't do that if the parent is on the phone. I don't think that this is an attempt to shame the parents or correct them, it's just trying to get them to see the truth.

sonicwim avatar
Wim Cossement
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I need to work so I can afford daycare... When I stay at home I can't send him/her to day care. Wait what?

boredpanda_127 avatar
A
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are two sides to every story. Not everyone is able to shut down their job at 5 on the dot. My husband works from home for a company that is a different time zone. Our dinnertime is mid-afternoon where his company is located. We have dinner as a family every single night, but sometimes he has to check and respond to emails at the table. If he has to take a call, he steps away. My kids understand this. His previous job meant he was out of the house for 12 hours a day and the kids barely saw him. This is much better.

angelas97 avatar
Smithereens
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

kristystephens avatar
Kristy Stephens
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't agree with the tone the note was written but 100 percent the message. In saying that. You can't tell a parent what to do. If they want to walk down the street ciggy in one hand newborn in the other with phone to their ear and a toddler at her feet trying to talk to her but getting ignored. That's her buisness. :-/ as sad as it is

suicidebride_5 avatar
Kathleen Barlow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The excuses that the guilty parents come up with is hilarious. You aren't going to lose your job if you don't check your emails every thirty seconds. Your world isn't going to implode if you keep your phone in your bag for the 10 minutes it takes to pick up your child. Your child will remember your lack of attention all of their lives. Nothing is more important than your child. If you take offense at the message, then it's your guilt taking.

kutiasutton avatar
FABULOUS1
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When did everything become about shaming someone else? What happen to just talking to someone and saying this to them directly. If they dont feel it is their place to have a conversation with the parent about something they see as an issue then they shouldnt find it okay to "shame" the person either.

support_55 avatar
SciFi Vortex
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My reply. "I pay you to temporarily care for my kids, not to dictate to me how I should interact with them. Stick your pontificating up your a**e, I'm, taking my business elsewhere."

tprofile97 avatar
Roy Lennox
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I will use my phone whenever and wherever I chose. Period.

tprofile97 avatar
Roy Lennox
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I will use my phone whenever and wherever I choose. Period.

meghanhibicke avatar
Evil Little Thing
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While I also think it's a good idea to put the phone down for a few minutes and actually look at your kid, kids say "Mommy mommy mommy mommy" all the farking time. Some kinds fall asleep saying it. One of the most valuable skills of parenting is learning to ignore this kind of mantra.

brandonpapst avatar
Brandon Papst
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Don't charge 15 dollars an hour per kid, then maybe business can stop exactly at 5pm

sergioebay44 avatar
Sergio Serg
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

We gotta work to afford the veryyyy expensive school books. Let's talk about price gouging at the schools.

jacobbeccagizmothesquirrel avatar
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I get it and totally agree with the message. But these are adults. You are paying the daycare for a service not to tell you how to parent.

hazelree avatar
Stille20
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hear you, but I can tell you, the 5 minutes they take to pick up their child is also an important time to communicate with the childcare staff. So it does effect them as well. Maybe it should have been worded that way.

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mnmacdonald avatar
Nimrod Name
Community Member
4 years ago

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A lot of boomer and boomer sentiment in these comments XD y'all don't know their lives, why are you judging?

tal19531 avatar
Belince78
Community Member
4 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Single Mom With 4 Kids Lost Her Job But Was Able To Stay On Top By Banking Continuously $1500 Per Week With An Online Work She Found Over The Internet... Check The Details........ HERE☛ www.career31.com

leoh avatar
Leo H
Community Member
4 years ago

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Isnt this dad shaming..i mean atleast these guys pick up their kids...

ewalsh2012 avatar
Em Wal
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's nothing to applaud or praise; that just part of the bare minimum of being a parent.

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virgilblue avatar
Virgil Blue
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you cant get off your phone for 10-15 min to.pay a little attention to your kid? Yeah your most likely should not have kids.

tobinkernalphapuck avatar
AlphaPuck
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You make time for what is important. If you cant make time for your kid, you give the impression that whatever is on your phone is more important than your kid.

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emory_ce avatar
Carol Emory
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To the people that say the daycare should respect the parent's need to stay connected with work. What's more important..your work or your child? Because that's what your child is seeing each time they try to share something important with you and there you are..shooshing them so you can talk to your boss/coworker/clients. Your kids don't understand that you supposedly have to work..even when you are not in the office. If your career demands that much of you..then perhaps it's necessary to review why you are doing this job in the first place. And, while I understand that many people are raising kids on their own, it's 5-10 minutes out of your day to hang up the phone and give your undivided attention to your child. The world's not going to end..commerce will not come to a screaming halt. Give your child your attention, please.

emory_ce avatar
Carol Emory
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And in response to Caroline Mendes comments about children being left for 20 minutes. We have a local restaurant that says "Unattended children will be given a double espresso and a free puppy....."

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monkeystikx avatar
Herb Eaversmells
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Picking up your kids from daycare, should take no more than ten minutes. If you can't step away from your phone/work for ten minutes for your kids, you may need to evaluate your releshonship with work.

cindygraceagisotelis avatar
Wasn’t Me
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Geez, they're only little once! For the rest of their life you em will be chasing them for a minute of attention. Enjoy them wanting to talk to you and spend time with you! PUT THE PHONE DOWN. Nothing anyone has to say is more important than my children. NOTHING.

kathrynfellis avatar
Katchen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree that nothing is more important than my children, including my ability to put food on the table and a roof over their heads. Unless I’m on a conference call where I can mute myself, I don’t pick them up while I’m on the phone. That said, you are really jumping to conclusions about how critical or not critical to the parents’ continued employment that phone call is, especially the working mothers who are pressured to hide the fact that they have family responsibilities from their judging employers and coworkers.

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bukola-adanna avatar
Bookey
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I go pick up my child from the daycare, being on my phone is the last thing on my mind. I am just as excited to see him as he is to see me. I don't understand how you can't put your phone away for the few minutes it would take to pick your child up from daycare??

rpder3737 avatar
Felix Feline
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This. I was always so excited to pick up my kids from daycare and school. It was the highlight of my day.

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leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This ranks up there, for me, with people who say "family time" is being had when each family member is on his/her individual iPad, and they are all in cyberspace, but hey, the fact they're in the same house makes it "family time". By that standard, everyone on the bus is family... Just sayin'...

lovetheliz avatar
Liz Karsa
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am 41 and my mom passed away 7 months ago. I am so grateful that we grew up without cell phones so my childhood was full of great memories of her and I and not ones of her on her phone.

deannawoods avatar
deanna woods
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am so sorry for your loss and I 100% agree with you on the growing up before cellphones. When my mom picked me up from preschool was the best time ever.

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jblocker19302 avatar
Jackie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know your phone keeps you connected to work and other responsibilities but when your child is trying to get your attention, give them like 10-15 minutes of your undivided attention.

chrisdifonso avatar
Chris DiFonso
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

" 'If a daycare wants me off the phone that badly then they better also be willing to watch my children for free. My phone keeps me connected with work, and without my job, the daycare bill isn’t getting paid,” Zander criticized the viral note. ' Unless it's an EMERGENCY, can't work issues be set aside for 10 or 15 or 20 minutes? The attitude that Zander projects is that work is more important than her child(ren). Shamefule

leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And th e economy was doing fine pre-cellphone, when people picked up kids from daycare/school and had no contact with work for a whole, oh, 30 minutes! ...

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liz-h-gregory avatar
Nicely
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Picking up my daughter is the best part of my day - the joy of being together again after being kept apart is so sweet. If you cant appreciate those 5-10 minutes without your phone because you're multitasking, then you're wasting your life. Your job does not care about you. Also multitasking is a myth. Finish the damn call before you go in.

mrthubbron avatar
Invisible User
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cue all the supportive comments from hypocrites constantly glued to their phones.

amcgregor7419 avatar
Al Jones
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I totally agree with the message but strongly disagree with the wording, which was seemingly designed to make parents feel either guilt or shame. Messages like that invariably make people get defensive rather than actually change something.

sb256003 avatar
Stevie B
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While some may get defensive, if making them see what they are truly doing causes them guilt or shame, that's on them to change their behavior. It's not like they are insisting that the parent is never on the phone, just for the 5 - 10 minutes when picking up your child, you actually pay attention to the tiny human in front of you, that has not seen you all day. Priorities.

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dino
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Once I was at a resort in Colorado, where lots of people were outside having fun. I went to the lobby to find this mom, staring at her phone with her daughter playing. At first, I didn’t think anything of it until the girl started picking on my little sister. The mom never looked up once! An hour later, we went to the playground to find the little girl all by herself with the mom still on her phone... I was so mad 😡

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Stan Chung
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In a perfect world, they shouldn't have to be on the phone. The workaround is to NOT multitask.

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Smithereens
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That can be your kids’ best part of the day or the worst depending how the day went. Be present and give them all your attention for just a bit..if not you’ll be one of “those parents” who never seems to hear their own kids yelling at an octave that isn’t pleasurable to anybody! You don’t have to be a helicopter parent just your kid’s biggest cheering section especially after school.

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Katchen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree that parents should be more mindful when they get their children from school, and I like that this note pointed out the children’s feelings, but they totally lost me with their rude tone.

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dino
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One time I was at a resort in Colorado, when this mom was in the lobby with her child on her phone constantly! The little girl started picking on my little sister, and the mom never looked up once. After that, we went and played with her outside FOR AN HOUR because we saw her alone still playing by herself. That day I was so furious at the mom😡

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Katchen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am on a sales team with coworkers across four time zones. I have a monthly conference call that falls at 8-9am for my time zone, and my kid starts school at 8:30am. Do I quit my job, or not take my kid to school? I try to mute my phone and say a solid good bye as I drop off my son. I also talk with marketing counterparts at 3pm my time, 6pm their time; I know that cuts into their family time so I try to limit those occasions. Parents should be respectful, but the daycare is, to borrow their own word, *appallingly* rude in their message to parents.

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WillemPenn
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe don't spend so much time on Bored Panda so you can spend more time with your family. For someone so busy with work, you sure seem to have plenty of time to post.

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Helen Haley
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And before cell phones parents picking up kids gossiped with each other while their kids tried to get their attention. I love kids, but they are attention goblins. It is the nature of childhood. Heck, we never wanted moms attention until she was on the phone. It was a running joke in our childhood. They aren't onthe phone while they're driving, they'll be talking to their kid about their day. Hop down off the high horse. Do some parents probably have a problem with cell phone time, of course, but blanket shaming everybody and being all judgey isn't helping anyone.

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Shay
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm so glad i didn't have a cell when my children were very small. I see this often in restaurants with the kids looking bored and the parents scrolling social media

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Id row
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Parents do this everywhere when they're out. I've heard complaints of parents being so engrossed on their phone while their kids are neglected and/or having a meltdown in restaurants, supermarkets...anywhere really. They're not going to turn into responsible and present parents suddenly just because someone put a flyer in a window. They're just going to get super offended and pissed off with the "How dare you tell me how to parent!".

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Katchen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And 20 years ago we hadn’t sequenced the human genome, either. What’s your point?

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deanna woods
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I totally agree with this. When little kids get out of daycare, they want to tell their parents about their day and they can't do that if the parent is on the phone. I don't think that this is an attempt to shame the parents or correct them, it's just trying to get them to see the truth.

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Wim Cossement
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I need to work so I can afford daycare... When I stay at home I can't send him/her to day care. Wait what?

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A
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are two sides to every story. Not everyone is able to shut down their job at 5 on the dot. My husband works from home for a company that is a different time zone. Our dinnertime is mid-afternoon where his company is located. We have dinner as a family every single night, but sometimes he has to check and respond to emails at the table. If he has to take a call, he steps away. My kids understand this. His previous job meant he was out of the house for 12 hours a day and the kids barely saw him. This is much better.

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Smithereens
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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Kristy Stephens
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't agree with the tone the note was written but 100 percent the message. In saying that. You can't tell a parent what to do. If they want to walk down the street ciggy in one hand newborn in the other with phone to their ear and a toddler at her feet trying to talk to her but getting ignored. That's her buisness. :-/ as sad as it is

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Kathleen Barlow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The excuses that the guilty parents come up with is hilarious. You aren't going to lose your job if you don't check your emails every thirty seconds. Your world isn't going to implode if you keep your phone in your bag for the 10 minutes it takes to pick up your child. Your child will remember your lack of attention all of their lives. Nothing is more important than your child. If you take offense at the message, then it's your guilt taking.

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FABULOUS1
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When did everything become about shaming someone else? What happen to just talking to someone and saying this to them directly. If they dont feel it is their place to have a conversation with the parent about something they see as an issue then they shouldnt find it okay to "shame" the person either.

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SciFi Vortex
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My reply. "I pay you to temporarily care for my kids, not to dictate to me how I should interact with them. Stick your pontificating up your a**e, I'm, taking my business elsewhere."

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Roy Lennox
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I will use my phone whenever and wherever I chose. Period.

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Roy Lennox
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I will use my phone whenever and wherever I choose. Period.

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Evil Little Thing
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While I also think it's a good idea to put the phone down for a few minutes and actually look at your kid, kids say "Mommy mommy mommy mommy" all the farking time. Some kinds fall asleep saying it. One of the most valuable skills of parenting is learning to ignore this kind of mantra.

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Brandon Papst
Community Member
4 years ago

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Don't charge 15 dollars an hour per kid, then maybe business can stop exactly at 5pm

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Sergio Serg
Community Member
4 years ago

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We gotta work to afford the veryyyy expensive school books. Let's talk about price gouging at the schools.

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Becca Gizmo the Squirrel
Community Member
4 years ago

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I get it and totally agree with the message. But these are adults. You are paying the daycare for a service not to tell you how to parent.

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Stille20
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hear you, but I can tell you, the 5 minutes they take to pick up their child is also an important time to communicate with the childcare staff. So it does effect them as well. Maybe it should have been worded that way.

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Nimrod Name
Community Member
4 years ago

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A lot of boomer and boomer sentiment in these comments XD y'all don't know their lives, why are you judging?

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Belince78
Community Member
4 years ago (edited)

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Single Mom With 4 Kids Lost Her Job But Was Able To Stay On Top By Banking Continuously $1500 Per Week With An Online Work She Found Over The Internet... Check The Details........ HERE☛ www.career31.com

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Leo H
Community Member
4 years ago

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Isnt this dad shaming..i mean atleast these guys pick up their kids...

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Em Wal
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's nothing to applaud or praise; that just part of the bare minimum of being a parent.

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