DCPs Opening and Closing My Front Door 10 Times in 30 Degree Weather... WWYD?

[SunshineMama]

I have posted about this in the summer time, and the issue faded away with the weather getting milder and me not having to use AC or heat.

Now I am having the same issue with the same family. At pick up and drop off, the parents keep opening my front door and leaving it open for too long. Today, I opened the door and the 1st child didnt want to come in, so I closed it and waited for the sibling and the parent to get to the door. I opened the door again and the kids and parent just stood there. The kids were squabbling and trying to fight over who got to knock on the door. I told them to come in bc the heat is on (it's 30 degrees outside at this point), and the parent finally brings them in.

At this point, the kids are upset about the knocking still (one pushed the other, the other tried to bite...mind you they are 3.5), so the dad opens the front door again and tells the first kid to go back outside and knock. So the kid goes outside, knocks, and then dad opens the door and comes back in. The second kid is still upset, so he opens the front door yet again, and holds it open and tells the kid to go out and get their turn knocking, and the kid stands there and doesnt want to go out (she said it was too cold... well duh)- the entire time letting in all of the cold air while he held the door open.

Another parent comes to the door, so it gets opened again. Parent 1 decides to take his exit, and stands in the doorway, with the door wide open, and gives hugs and kisses to both kids, then each wanted a high 5 so he gave them one, then they wanted another hug each, then the other daycare kids wanted high 5's and his kids got jealous.... etc etc. The whole time, my entire front door is open, I am now feeling a chill, the other dcm has this look on her face like wth is going on. Throughout the whole drop off ordeal, I said a few different times that the heat is on and the door needs to stay closed.

I have a very large open floor plan house, so it takes a few hours to recover from pick up and drop off. I have tried to politely address it by saying, come in, the ac/heat is on., etc.. but they keep leaving my darn door wide open.

What would you all do in this situation? Would you keep reminding them to keep the door closed? (I feel like I have now officially been polite enough and borderline using my teacher voice and to no avail). It's not like I can have a financial penalty can I?

This is the same family whom I have to tell everyday to take their shoes off because I just cleaned the carpets in my entire house. I am 33 weeks pregnant and did all the carpets myself...a lot of work They just arent being polite and after I keep telling them over and over, it has now gotten disrespectful in my eyes.

[littlemissmuffet]

First situation: "Listen John, I don't want to have to keep reminding you to keep the entrance door closed. Please show me and my home some respect. Bring the kids to the door all at once - enter, close the door behind you. If this is something that you just simply cannot do, I will be keeping the doors locked at all times - goodbyes will be done outside and once you're done you can knock and I will let the kids in."

Second situation: "Jack, you can either do your goodbye outside on the step BEFORE entering my home - or come inside and close the door behind you before doing your goodbye. I'm not paying to heat my home just for you to let all the hot air out while you stand there kissing/hugging your kids. Please, show some respect."

[crazydaycarelady]

I have the same problem. I don't get it either. If you OPEN a door to go in isn't it an automatic response to close the door behind you? I usually have either the A/C on or the heater so either way they are pi$$ing me off!

It's not surprising though. I have had to tell dcparents some of the most common sense things that I NEVER would have thought I'd have to tell people: don't throw cigaratte butts into my yard, don't kick my dog, don't steal things from my flower garden or walk through it for that matter. Sheesh!

[SunshineMama]

I would love to say the words, "please show some respect to my home." Maybe I have a backbone issue... I felt like by telling them to keep the door closed bc the heat is on, that would be enough. I feel like if I have to tell them to be respectful, that is basically treating them like children. Which is what it sounds like I need to do, but I really hate doing that

[Zoe]

I have the same problem. I don't get it either. If you OPEN a door to go in isn't it an automatic response to close the door behind you? I usually have either the A/C on or the heater so either way they are pi$$ing me off!

It's not surprising though. I have had to tell dcparents some of the most common sense things that I NEVER would have thought I'd have to tell people: don't throw cigaratte butts into my yard, don't kick my dog, don't steal things from my flower garden or walk through it for that matter. Sheesh!

Don't kick your dog?! Oh my goodness that would be an immediate termination in my eyes. Wow.

To the OP, just call them out on it. Say hey dcp, please shut the door and keep it shut. Once you're in the house you say goodbye then you leave. No more of this in and out stuff, my house costs too much to heat for you to be doing this.

[crazydaycarelady]

Yes, I had a dcd pick up and he had his dog in the back of his truck. Well, of course my dog ran over there and started barking at his dog so he kicked my dog!

[MyAngels]

I'd tell them you're going to have to raise their rates to cover the increased cost of heating and cooling your house since they can't seem to keep the door closed during drop off and pick up.

[youretooloud]

I think I would actually be obnoxious about it, and put a sign on the door that said "Open the door ONCE to go in, and ONCE to go out"

Then, in small letters at the bottom, write "it is expensive to run the heater, please be respectful of my home".

[littlemissmuffet]

I would love to say the words, "please show some respect to my home." Maybe I have a backbone issue... I felt like by telling them to keep the door closed bc the heat is on, that would be enough. I feel like if I have to tell them to be respectful, that is basically treating them like children. Which is what it sounds like I need to do, but I really hate doing that

I understand. It *IS* like treating them like children... but only because they are acting like children
Reminding them nicely isn't working - so you might have to be more stern about it.

I agree with the PP who suggested telling them you will be raising their rates to help offset the cost of heating/cooling your home. ::

[SilverSabre25]

Don't MAKE me raise my rates on you to cover the cost of the heating bill this winter!

[itlw8]

Post a sign today on the front door and yes you can make a fine. They cost you money they can pay it.

And I would speak up and say yes I posted that sign because of your family.

PLEASE speak up.

[Sunshine44]

I would definitely say something. I might actually push them nicely out of the way and close the door for them every single time. Send a note home saying exactly what you've told us and then put a sign on the front door. Tell lil johnny to make sure daddy closes the door each morning.

Disrespect from parents is awful. I can't stand it when my parents do this on hot days. All my air goes bye bye.

[Blackcat31]

I do not mean this harshly or rude at all, but what is it that you are all afraid of???

......if this were happening with children none of us would hesitate for one second to say "SHUT THE DOOR!!!!"


....but for some reason, everyone is trying to find creative solutions and "nice" ways to say that to adults...... :confused:

who are NOT children and should know better

Honestly, why are you not just saying "SHUT THE DOOR!!!!!!!" ??????

For every second you hesitate and worry about hurting someone's feelings your dollars are slipping past.......

~it's not rocket science.... just shut the flipping door!!

[Childminder]

Close the door you're letting money out the door.

[bunnyslippers]

I agree with BC. We all try so hard to find nice ways to word things, and it isn't necessary! I would just tell him to shut the door! If it continues, take away his door priveleges. Lock the front door and make him stand in the cold until you are ready to open it for him.

People are amazingly disrespectful. If we allow the behavior in our own homes, we are disrespecting ourselves. You are providing a service for him, but that does not mean you have to roll over and let him (or anyone else) walk all over you.