Life can be chaotic when you’re the parent of little ones, and typically it requires some juggling.
But while there isn’t an exact “rule book” about parenting – it doesn’t keep people from weighing in on the subject.
One mom discovered that even her day care had something to say in regards to what parents “shouldn’t be doing” arriving at their door. She decided to snap a photo after noticing a bold sign hung up at the facility.
In addition to the day care’s sign going viral, it’s sparked a debate on the internet too.
Texas mom, Juliana Mazurkewicz, went to scoop her daughter from day care one afternoon.
Upon arrival, Juliana was distracted by a sign that was taped up for all the parents to see. However, it didn’t talk about common issues like food allergies or the importance of sending extra clothes. The message was instead aimed at parents and their use of cell phones.
Juliana decided to share the controversial sign online – which started out:
“You are picking up your child! GET OFF YOUR PHONE!!!!“
That’s not all the day care’s sign said.
The sign’s message then hit parents with a personal question, asking:
“Your child is happy to see you! Are you happy to see your child?”
Apparently, the day care staff had been noticing parents on their cell phones as they picked up their kids – and they weren’t too happy about what they observed.
“We have seen children trying to hand their parents their work they completed and the parent is on the phone. We have heard a child say ‘Mommy, mommy, mommy…’ and the parent is paying more attention to their phone than their own child.”
They concluded their sign with the following:
“It is appalling! Get off your phone!!“
Juliana grabbed her own cell phone, took a photograph, then posted it on Facebook.
It quickly spread all across the internet and was even covered by national news sources. Currently, her post has over 2 million shares!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10212659087937911&set=a.1058819956534&type=3
People have been divided on the topic.
Some support the day care’s message about moms and dads putting down their cell phones at pick-up. Yet, others don’t think it’s necessarily any of their business and believe the sign is “shaming.”
A Facebook user who agreed with the message commented:
“I’ve seen a lot of this myself, and it’s truly disheartening! Hopefully parents take heed of the message!”
Another wrote:
“When its time to give your child attention dedicate yourself to it. Do it with passion.”
Someone from the other side of the fence said:
“How do you know the call isnt important some people actually pic their kids up while they are working and they need that phone to do their job. How about people mind their own business and if you dont like it move on”
One woman supported the idea, but didn’t agree with the day care’s word choice.
“This maybe true, but the wording is terrible! If I was a parent I would not be happy however If a nice meaningful statement replaced it that gets you thinking, with the same meaning, would probably have a much better outcome!”
As for Juliana, she expressed some of her thoughts in news interviews. She told ABC News:
“The owner posted the sign on the door. I was surprised that they would be so bold, but also I liked it. I thought it was on point.”
Posted by Juliana Mazurkewicz on Tuesday, January 10, 2017
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 willing to offend the parent.”
It’s a sign that’s stirred up a lot of opinions. Where do you stand on the subject?
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