The childcare provider believed it was time for them to take action.
Life may be chaotic when you’re the parent of tiny ones, and normally it involves some juggling.
But while there isn’t a precise “rule book” regarding parenting, it doesn’t discourage individuals from speaking out on the matter.
One mom noticed that even her daycare had something to say with respect to what parents “shouldn’t be doing” when arriving at their door. She decided to snap a shot after spotting a large notice posted up at the building.
In addition to the daycare’s sign becoming viral, it’s ignited controversy on the internet too.
A Texas mom, Juliana Mazurkewicz, went to grab her kid from daycare one day.
Upon arriving, Juliana was distracted by a notice that was tacked up for all the parents to see. However, it didn’t touch on frequent difficulties like food allergies or the significance of providing extra clothes. The message was instead focused on parents and their use of cell phones.
Juliana decided to publish the contentious sign online, which started out: “You are picking up your child! GET OFF YOUR PHONE!!!!”
That’s not all the daycare’s sign said.
The sign’s wording then hit parents with a personal inquiry, asking: “Your child is happy to see you! Are you delighted to see your child?”
Apparently, the daycare employees had been observing parents on their mobile phones as they picked up their kids, and they weren’t too thrilled with what they saw.
“We have seen children trying to hand their parents the work they completed while the parent is on the phone. We have heard a toddler exclaim, ‘Mommy, mommy, mommy…,” and the parent is paying more attention to their phone than their own child.”
They finished their sign with the following: “It is appalling! Get off your phone!!”
Juliana grabbed her own mobile phone, took an image, and posted it on Facebook.
It soon circulated all throughout the internet and was even covered by major news organizations. Currently, her post has over 2 million shares!
People have been split on the subject.
Some applaud the daycare’s message about parents and fathers putting down their cell phones during pick-up. Yet, some don’t think it’s necessarily any of their business and say the sign is “shaming.”
A Facebook user who agreed with the statement commented: “I’ve seen a lot of this myself, and it’s truly disheartening! Hopefully, parents take note of the message!”
Another wrote: “When it’s time to give your child attention, dedicate yourself to it. Do it with passion.”
Someone from the opposite side of the fence said:
“How do you know the call isn’t important?” Some people actually pick their kids up while they are working, and they need that phone to do their job. How about individuals mind their own business, and if you don’t like it, walk on?”
One mother welcomed the idea but didn’t agree with the daycare’s word choice: “This may be true, but the wording is terrible! If I were a parent, I would not be happy, nevertheless, if a wonderful, meaningful remark substituted for it that gets you thinking, with the same meaning, would definitely have a far better outcome!”
As for Juliana, she revealed some of her ideas in news interviews. She told ABC News:
“The owner posted the sign on the door. I was startled that they would be that brash, but I still enjoyed it. I think that was on point.”
When speaking with CNN, Juliana said, “I was a bit shocked, but I didn’t feel any negativity towards the day care. I know that the staff has the best interests of the children in mind, even to the point where they are ready to upset the parent.”