Daycare Parking Lot Is A Cesspool!
Why can’t people be mindful and respectful in the daycare parking lot?
Every morning I drop my grandson off at daycare and I dread it. Don’t get me wrong; I love the time spent with him. I enjoy seeing him excited to see his friends. I love the quick chats with the staff; they have been a part of our family for three and half years! They have been excellent. I cannot praise them enough. I’m confident they have been fantastic for other families as well.
I see respectful, happy kids dropped off every day. They hug their friends (yes, I know COVID) and excitedly replay their stories. And yet, a pit in my stomach grows as we roll closer to the entrance of the parking lot. As I turn at the light, squeezing by traffic stopped across the door going the opposite direction. I navigate the obstacles of vehicles leaving the lot, narrowly turning past a truck as I strike the curb with my back wheels. I want to scream WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE! I don’t, I refrain, swallowing the words and anger as I remind myself it’s only a few minutes of suffering.
Cars back up on people. Horns blare and brakes screech as cars avoid each other. It’s like a deathmatch to park. I’m surprised there aren’t accidents every day just in this parking lot. Once they park, the parents are all smiles in line. Don’t let those smiles fool you; they will take you out in a heartbeat once they return their cars. There is absolutely no mercy shown. Everything their darling little ones learn in the daycare center is tossed out the window and spit on.
Yes, the parking lot is small, long and narrow hell. Under the perfect scenario, small cars manage without much issue, but an ideal scenario with 25 parents dropping off is not happening. I have witnessed vehicles punching the accelerator to get out of a parking space first, despite the other car already in motion. Trucks and large SUVs trying to park backward performing a multiple point turn to position themselves correctly, all while holding up the line of cars turning from the main road – now experiencing blocked traffic from the cars turning in that are at a standstill.
My favorite was the truck, an F250, not a little truck, back in at the front door. The parking lot ends right at the sidewalk leading into the doors, which are only about 5 feet away. The parking cement marker, the one where your wheels hit let you know you are all the way in, is 6 inches off the sidewalk. I measured it. With COVID restrictions, we check the kids in and then wait out at the door for staff to retrieve them. So, there were probably five adults and kids standing in this area. A mom and her daughter were just inches on the sidewalk, and the daughter was about 2.
The truck backed in, which means its bed extending out from the wheel came over the sidewalk by several inches as the driver backed in. I get it; he had a camera so he could see. Maybe but the bed of his truck extended over the sidewalk where people were already standing. If he had pulled in forward, that would not have been the case. Of course, if he had parked somewhere else, even better. The mother did grab her daughter when she realized what was going on. Several of us made comments on the intelligence of the driver. I believe they should mark this as no parking space and leave it at that. I see why they don’t; they assume that people dropping off would be cautious, concerned, and respectful of others.
It’s a miracle there are not accidents every single day. I kid you not. The parking lot is a danger. Well, ok, not the parking lot. The parents, grandparents, or guardians dropping kids off are a danger. The daycare has repeatedly sent out notices about being considerate and safe in the parking lot; think about the children. So far, the messages have gone unheeded.
I empathize with all the parents dropping off in the morning. Morning routines can be stressful, add in daycare drop off with traffic, and it’s just more stress. Every child seems dropped off at 8 am; there is an early drop-off fee. I get it. I work remotely, so I have more flexibility. Plus, it’s my grandson, and there is something more enjoyable for me this time around. I’m sorry I cannot excuse the parking lot behavior, even for stress.
No, I’m not sorry; I cannot excuse the parking lot behavior even for stress. Everyone has their stress, points of contention, but showing no respect, being careless, putting your needs as the only ones that matter, rudeness is no way to reduce your stress or make your life any easier. The same behavior we probably call others out on at the store or on the road is the same behavior displayed in the daycare parking lot.
The daycare parking lot is a reflection of the cesspool we have allowed to grow in our society. We have become selfish, uncaring and disrespectful as a group. We have made everything about ourselves and only ourselves. We may give a nod to caring, but our actions are telling a different story. Yes, I know it’s not everyone, but it is enough to reflect on the rest of us just the same.
It’s time, as a society, we got back to what they are teaching our kids in daycare — kindness, caring, sharing, and general respectfulness. Take a deep breath, look around and slow down. After all, the kids are watching us.
