Default Style Register
Daycare.com Forum
Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>The Gate Is Working Great But Guess What Now?!?
crazydaycarelady 06:13 PM 10-26-2014
I included the picture again. As you can see the parents need to walk down the driveway to the bottom where the sidewalk is. I also have a little rock path that cuts through the flower garden you see there.

But you know what they are doing instead?? Cutting through the grass.

Normally I suppose this wouldn't matter except I have 12 kids here per day and already in 2 weeks the grass is getting worn into a path.

I am just so fed up with not being able to maintain my property and things!


On a side note this last week: Dcg did "something" to my screen door and the glass shattered out of it. I need a new door now. Then a dcb pushed a button on the microwave and it started (with nothing in it.) Well, I couldn't hear it going with the noise of the kids and didn't realized it was on until I heard zapping noises. It is totally fried. I need a new microwave now too.
Attached: driveway.jpg (8.5 KB) 
Reply
permanentvacation 07:21 PM 10-26-2014
Wow! I can't believe how rude and inconsiderate your parents are of your yard and landscaping. I think I would have to sit outside every day with the daycare children and wait for the parents at pick up time. Then, as they start to walk on your grass or do anything else inconsiderate of your property, I would immediately tell them not to do it and teach them how to properly walk up the sidewalk to your door. Good grief, yeah, it sounds like you need to train the parents as much as you have to train the children!
Reply
CraftyMom 08:41 PM 10-26-2014
They probably see everyone else doing it and follow along.

So, they walk up the driveway toward the house, then how do they get past the gate? Do they walk around the right side and then continue in the grass to the house? That's how I'm picturing it. Probably just the quickest route.

Looks like you'll be sending out a "friendly reminder" not to walk in the grass

Are you having dcg's parents pay for damages to the door?

Did dcb admit to turning on the microwave? That's scary!

Sorry for all the questions!
Reply
hope 04:27 AM 10-27-2014
People can be so lazy! I would post a sign right where they start their path from the gate to grass that says "please do not walk on the graa. Use walkway". I would also be sending home a letter to all parents explaining that your property is being destroyed and to follow the proper procedures.
Reply
DaveA 04:57 AM 10-27-2014
That's annoying.

One alternative would be to set staggered pavers or flagstones flush with the ground. Gives them a place to walk and still be able to have grass and mow.

Like to think they could figure out not to walk on the grass, but who knows.
Reply
EntropyControlSpecialist 05:40 AM 10-27-2014
You know what is sad? I have yet to have more than TWO parents who insist their children don't walk in people's yards. Others think it is cute. I am the one who teaches all children that they CANNOT walk on other people's grass when we are on our daily walks. Perhaps you can start there AND place a sign every couple of feet in your yard so they GET A CLUE. Gaaaah. Our society today kills me.
The exact phrasing I use is, "Stay on the sidewalk. That grass is NOT ours. You can walk on the grass at YOUR house."
Reply
CraftyMom 05:47 AM 10-27-2014
Originally Posted by DaveArmour:
That's annoying.

One alternative would be to set staggered pavers or flagstones flush with the ground. Gives them a place to walk and still be able to have grass and mow.

Like to think they could figure out not to walk on the grass, but who knows.
That's an idea. It stinks that you have to worry about them wearing a path in your grass and have to alter the look of your home with a gate and a walkway. It does seem like the simplest solution since we know even with repeated reminding some parents think the rules apply to everyone else, not them
Reply
Shell 06:32 AM 10-27-2014
I know I made a joke last time about a gate that zaps, but this may be your only solution Seriously, you have some rude families! Definitely post a sign and give verbal reminders about where to walk. Can't believe some people.
Reply
JenNJ 06:49 AM 10-27-2014
I would send a letter saying that the next person who cuts across the lawn will be denied care for the day. Period.
Reply
crazydaycarelady 06:54 AM 10-27-2014
They actually walk around the gate on the left side and then all the way down the driveway until right before the garden, then cut across the grass. I don't really want to lay more pavers since I do have a sidewalk and I have made a shortcut path through the garden.

I haven't said anything about the door or the microwave. I feel like the door was an accident and the microwave - the boy is just 2yo. He just reached up there and got lucky with a button that turned it on.
Reply
jenboo 06:54 AM 10-27-2014
Two options:
1. Get some motion/sensor alarms that go off when someone steps on the grass.... Like in princess diaries.
Or
2. Sit outside in the mornings and as soon as they step on the grass spray them with the hose. Works for dogs and cats... Maybe your parents would get the idea.
Reply
melilley 07:10 AM 10-27-2014
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
You know what is sad? I have yet to have more than TWO parents who insist their children don't walk in people's yards. Others think it is cute. I am the one who teaches all children that they CANNOT walk on other people's grass when we are on our daily walks. Perhaps you can start there AND place a sign every couple of feet in your yard so they GET A CLUE. Gaaaah. Our society today kills me.
The exact phrasing I use is, "Stay on the sidewalk. That grass is NOT ours. You can walk on the grass at YOUR house."
I was always taught to not walk on other people's lawns. To this day, I feel guilty walking across my neighbor's lawn (we are friends) and he even said that it's ok!
Reply
melilley 07:16 AM 10-27-2014
I cannot believe that they are walking on your grass, how inconsiderate! Maybe you should implement a "walking on the grass fee" to the offenders.?

I was just telling dh the other day that having the dc in our house is ruining it. I know it comes with the territory, but we have a hole in our kitchen wall, a dcd somehow broke the latch to our glass front door so now you can't open it to where you want it to stay because it won't latch now, one day has broken many toys, the list goes on.

Oh how someday I dream of having a dc outside of my home!
Reply
Leigh 07:18 AM 10-27-2014
Originally Posted by jenboo:

2. Sit outside in the mornings and as soon as they step on the grass spray them with the hose. Works for dogs and cats... Maybe your parents would get the idea.

Reply
CraftyMom 07:59 AM 10-27-2014
How about some stakes with ropes running between them across the whole grass area, with signs every 5 feet saying "Stay off the grass! Yes, this means you!"

Along with a notice sent home to stay off the grass.

After a while you will be able to take down the stakes and ropes (hopefully)
Reply
Cradle2crayons 08:13 AM 10-27-2014
My first thought to this thread was "OHHH helllllllllll naw!!"

Where in the world do these crazies come from OP??
Reply
crazydaycarelady 08:14 AM 10-27-2014
Originally Posted by :
2. Sit outside in the mornings and as soon as they step on the grass spray them with the hose. Works for dogs and cats... Maybe your parents would get the idea.
This would actually be so much fun........I wish I could do it for real!

Originally Posted by :
How about some stakes with ropes running between them across the whole grass area
This is probably what I will end up doing.

I swear the parents require SO MUCH MORE out of me than the kids, and they seem to require so much more these days than in the past.
Reply
hope 08:20 AM 10-27-2014
Sprinklers???? I have noticed that many of the houses close to the elementary school have their sprinkler systems set to the time school let's out. It keeps the kids off their lawn.
Reply
Cradle2crayons 08:22 AM 10-27-2014
Originally Posted by crazydaycarelady:
This would actually be so much fun........I wish I could do it for real!



This is probably what I will end up doing.

I swear the parents require SO MUCH MORE out of me than the kids, and they seem to require so much more these days than in the past.
Orrrrr you could hide behind the bushes and smack them with a newspaper... That is supposed to work for dogs too right?
Reply
redmaple 08:26 AM 10-27-2014
I'm picturing motion sensor sprinklers, where if they step off the paths then sprinklers get'em from all directions.
Reply
crazydaycarelady 08:47 AM 10-27-2014
Do you think if I put a giant dog poop right at the start of the grass they would avoid it and go to the sidewalk?

Prob not and then I would be cleaning dog poo off my floors!
Reply
butterfly 11:31 AM 10-27-2014


I'm not sure I could continue doing daycare with all the ridiculous situations you've had to deal with lately. I would just be too exhausted to fight it any longer.
Reply
melilley 11:43 AM 10-27-2014
Originally Posted by redmaple:
I'm picturing motion sensor sprinklers, where if they step off the paths then sprinklers get'em from all directions.


Genius idea!
Reply
EntropyControlSpecialist 11:48 AM 10-27-2014
Hahaha I love the motion activated sprinkler idea.
Reply
crazydaycarelady 12:35 PM 10-27-2014
The sprinklers are a great idea in the summer. We already had to winterize out system here in MT. I could drag the hose out there though and turn it on at closing time. I might just do that tonight! LOL

Originally Posted by :
I'm not sure I could continue doing daycare with all the ridiculous situations you've had to deal with lately. I would just be too exhausted to fight it any longer.

This is exactly right. These ridiculous situation ARE wearing me out. I am currently in reduce debt mode so that in about 3 years I can be done. I'm jut fried!
Reply
Tags:gates, parents - are clueless, parents - disrespect
Reply Up