I too agree with one of the comments in the article. Yes we are on our phones too much and should give our kids our attention but it isn’t up to daycare to butt in.

I don’t have a problem with this. I have noticed as a society now how rude people are when it comes to their phones – at checkouts, in toilets (?), at coffee when they’re sitting with others. There is a societal problem where the phone has encroached on our lives and people don’t care. They don’t care about others. They don’t care that others don’t want to hear their conversations. They don’t care about holding people up, being rude, stopping in front of people in a shopping centre. It is a societal problem. So I don’t have a problem with this at all. It’s about respect. Common courtesy. Consideration of others.

I totally agree with putting your phones away but I do how ever think the centre could have done this in a nicer manner.

I agree, it’s good to have our kids as priority and not get distracted by our phones (emergencies are a different case).

I actually think this is agreat wake up ‘CaLL’ . Good on the daycare..Enough excuses. We are guilty of putting phone first. Ridiculous rwallt. Take that four minutes at pick up to be attentive. fully engaged to child and transition to car or walk making this time theirs. get over ouselves and that phone!! Even watch.their sport instead if playing solitare on phone or text.

I agree with the notice. Of course there would be extenuating circumstances, but in most cases I’m sure the phone could be forgotten for the few minutes it takes to pick up your child, when they are really excited to see you after you being away all day. I think people need to prioritise because let’s face it they won’t be kids forever and you don’t get long with them before it’s bed time anyway and then the rest of the night is yours.

I agree with the sign. Once upon a time we didn’t have mobile phones, nothing is more important then your kids, your phone can surely wait those few minutes during pick up. Focus on your kids, they’re happy to see you, embrace it

I couldn’t agree more. You see the little ones flinging themselves at their parents to have a hug and tell them of their big day and they are too busy on the phone! Should also apply at restaurants. shops etc. It’s just so rude as well-technology has made us lose our manners and priorities in life.

Since mobile phones became a fashion accessory they have taken control over so many lives where people are afraid to be without them for even the shortest of time. What did we do or even survive without them, well strangely enuf we did! We talked face to face with friends instead of text incessantly, we went & did stuff with others face to face & the list could go on but I think you get the idea. Mobiles were only just starting to take off when my kids were born & used by those of us who had a business to run but these days even toddlers have them. What happened to the quality time we used to spend with our children & do things with them.
Rules in my house. Turn them off after a certain time, never at the dining table & definately not in bed or even the bedroom for that matter. Kids should not have them period! Let them borrow a shared phone kept for the purpose of when they go somewhere without adults if you must & make sure it can’t send or receive images.
We have a generation of children growing up learning they are less important than a mobile phone & that is how their children will be treated as well, do we really want that for our future generations.

Get off your phone!!
Now let’s roll this message out to every driver, shop customer, shop staffer, etc etc etc!!!!!

I love the sign, for the mothers that give excuses that they need to take important phone calls use common sense obviously it’s not for you to get your panties in a twist. Today technology has taken over our lives it’s that simple & a reminder does no harm especially when it is our childs development, if you ignore your children to much you will find they will start to ignore you & you will miss out on their lives. only yourself to blame take the time to listen to them. As the saying goes it’s not until they are gone do you realise and say I wish I had live every day as if it’s your last with your child and you will be grateful.

If the workers weren’t seeing it constantly and by a majority of parents do you think they just decided to write a note, Im sure they gave it great consideration and were heartbroken at seeing this.
I applaud them, phones are taking over peoples lives…….its not such a great thing.

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  • • mom93821 replied
    • 03 Feb 2017 , 6:22 am

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  I applaud them for taking this stand.

I love the sign and agree with it – I see this, people on phones and it saddens me!

I think it’s great. The ones who do this will be the ones who are offended

I am glad other comments think it is appropriate for the centre to have said something. I agree, get off your phone!

I too am stunned at the inappropriate times people are on their phones rather than focusing on what’s going on around them. The daycare centre’s notice may have been on the harsh side, but hopefully it might make people realise that how they behave around their children speaks volumes to those children.

I can to a certain extent see “both sides” in the article. Yes, unless it was a dire emergency I would ask if I could call back later. Besides your child wanting your attention, you also have to sign your child in /out. Their carer may also need to speak to you about a concern they have with your child.
It could be sickness, amount of food eaten, (your child may have refused to eat or drink enough), suspected allergies that need to be checked or any number of things. I have seen a parent walk in, take their child and literally ignore the staff member. They have to stop within the centre to sign the child in / out and talk on the phone the entire time while doing it. Staff are required to make appropriate every day for each child so they can consult with the authorised person picking up the child. It may not necessarily be a parent.

I applaud the daycare staff for caring so much about their little charges. I think the parents should be grateful that they care so much and are concerned that the children come first.

I have worked in the childcare field for years and have watched as phone calls have taken over greeting your child. Most children are placed in care for up to 10 hours per day. When they are dropped off most parents give them a cuddle before settling them in . Then at the end of a long day all that the children want to see and talk to is their parents or a caregiver. When walking into a centre ask to call them back and spend time with your child give them a cuddle and listen about their day. This is a tremendous opportunity for bonding and at the same time show that they are the most important part of your life. Children grow up way to quickly and you don’t want to live with regret.

Quite a strong message, but I understand what they mean!!