What Could I Have Done Differently?

[Willow]

I have someone come plow the driveway when it snows. He's usually here lickety split, often times before the main roads are plowed because we live out in the boonies. We live in a very small town and finding someone to make it out this way at all was a challenge. Short of dropping $10,000 on a wheeler with plow or $30,000 on a tractor with plow we are sort of at the mercy of the weather and others being available to help us.

Yesterday we were in a blizzard warning, but it never snowed a single flake. The wind was horrific though and I kept an eye on the driveway. Brought the trash can to the end of the driveway mid morning and it was completely clear. Looked clear all day. Got the kids in bed and went out to grab the trash and mail. Discovered the outlet for our driveway is completely drifted in. The entire huge part of the driveway up by the house is completely clear so I was shocked it was that bad. It was already after 10pm at that point. I had to drive my truck down, load the can into the back and then gun it through just to get it back to the house.

I text the plow guy that I need him to come before 7am like usual and go to bed.

Wake up to a text from him (sent at around midnight last night) that he is in Colorado but has a backup and he should be out, just likely not by 7am as he's more of a commercial plower coming from a bigger city and will probably be busy taking care of drifted city lots first.

I text my parents and let them know DO NOT TRY TO MAKE IT THROUGH. The two I had coming drove a car, and a van and I knew they wouldn't make it. I told them I'd watch for them and walk the kids up when they got here if the plow hadn't made it here yet. Shoveled a path but the snow was so hard and windchill was so awful I couldn't do much more than that. I got yep's from both.

I'm having my coffee and watching for the first vehicle. What do they do??

Try to gun it through.

Town and Country super low sitting van. I immediately head out waving hand telling her to stop so she doesn't bury herself deeper but she rocks it back and forth hard multiple times before I make it to her. She insists on continuing to try so I took the kids inside with me and left her to it.

Then starts the grumpy texts asking me how I was going to fix her being stuck.......who do I know that's going to help her, and when, and how.....

I hold out an hour hoping she would sort it out herself and then called her a tow truck myself to pull her out (something she easily could have done herself, just refused to putting it on me instead). My plow came while she was stuck and had to sit and wait for the tow to get her out. I'm sure the wait time will go on my tab along with the tow.....

Am I wrong in believing that while having the driveway plowed to the best of my ability is indeed my responsibility that this is MN and sometimes crap weather just happens? That sometimes everything can't be fixed with the snap of fingers for convenience sake? That sometimes common sense should prevail and if it doesn't then that's not all my fault nor should I be held completely responsible for it??

Or was what happened all my fault and I should take complete responsibility for unpredictable weather and all parental behavior?



Speak freely, I'm a big girl. I'd really like to know what else I could have done differently so I can hopefully avoid a repeat of this mornings ridiculousness......

[canadiancare]

I don't live in the country so my situation isn't as big a deal. We have a snow contract and it is rarely done in time for drop offs or pick ups but the parents just walk in the 20 or so feet.

As for you if you did everything in your ability to get the word out that your driveway wasn't clear and the parents live in a part of the world where they should have winter driving experience I don't see how their error in judgement can possibly be your fault.

[wdmmom]

I wouldn't pay for a tow for her. You specifically notified her and told her not to tempt it. She chose to, she pays.

As for the plow, you probably will get stuck paying more. If you do, I would invoice her the difference.

[melilley]

I agree, I would have her pay the difference if they charge you. It's her fault that she insisted on trying to make it up especially when you sent her a text and went outside and waved her away to stop. It's her fault, there's nothing else you could do.

[Blackcat31]

You notified DCM.

DCM didn't listen

This is ALL on DCM.

I would be livid if she tried to pin this on me.

Since I live fairly close to you (compared to other members here) I totally understand about weather/snow conditions and what repsonsibilities we each (humans) have when it come to this stuff but there is NO WAY I would allow that DCM to put any blame for what SHE did on me unless she just moved here from Florida. ::


Parents never cease to amaze me.

[DCMom]

I think that you did everything that you could possibly do to avoid the situation. I would NOT be paying for a tow and I would pass along the extra plow cost for her stupidity.

I have it in my contract that if the driveway is not cleared upon arrival, DO NOT drive in or they will be charged for the extra time/effort it takes my plow service to clear the drive. Of course, the plow service is my son but it's a good threat. Only a few of the parents know this I always have a path from the street to the walk and the walk/stairs down to the daycare done ~ so stay out of the driveway!!

I've only had one parent break the rule. Her excuse 'well, someone else already did.' Ummm, it was my dh leaving for work...

[MamaBearCanada]

I honestly think you did all you could.
You had arranged for your driveway to be cleared at the earliest time possible for the sub.
You warned parents in advance.
You warned her again at arrival.
You cannot control the weather or other people's behavior

If DCM brings it up, I'd say something like:

Dear DCM,

I have a plow to clear my driveway because it is too big a task to do by hand. My regular driver is away and I informed you, in advance, that the sub plow might not have arrived by your arrival time and that you SHOULD NOT attempt the driveway.

I made alternate arrangements for your children to be brought to my door that would keep them safe and prevent your car getting stuck. You chose to ignore that advice. The consequences are your responsibility.

[Willow]

We have a snow contract and it is rarely done in time for drop offs or pick ups but the parents just walk in the 20 or so feet.

I wish I would have added this question! I was wondering how other daycares handle it all, like what are other parents are instructed to do if it isn't done before they get there? Or if it snows all through the day how many times should you have a plow out to take care of it?! What is reasonable vs. what is the expectation on the parents end?? I want to be professional, but there's only so much I can do kwim?

My driveways were always super short before moving out here, and winters have been mild in years past. It was easy to manage then and I could blame the rest of their commute on the city if roads weren't plowed. This winter has been just awful though, the driveway is huge, and gravel and I've really struggled with how to efficiently handle the issue! Last year was my first year up here and we only got one good snow that necessitated plowing - this year so far I think we've had to have someone out here at least a dozen times, maybe more?!

[Willow]

unless she just moved here from Florida. ::

Nope! Born and raised!!!!!!

[Blackcat31]

I wish I would have added this question! I was wondering how other daycares handle it all, like what are other parents are instructed to do if it isn't done before they get there? Or if it snows all through the day how many times should you have a plow out to take care of it?! What is reasonable vs. what is the expectation on the parents end?? I want to be professional, but there's only so much I can do kwim?

My driveways were always super short before moving out here, and winters have been mild. It was easy to manage them and I could blame the rest of their commute on the city if roads weren't plowed. This winter has been just awful though, the driveway is huge, and gravel and I've really struggled with how to efficiently handle the issue!

Ya, but anyone who lives in this area, knows FULL well that you don't drive through the deep snow (with a mini-van ::: and that there will be times that the snow will come faster than we can remove it and that we all MUST adjust our actions/behaviors for the current weather conditions.

I really don't think we should have to spell it out. If they need it in print, they have bigger problems than snow.

[Country Kids]

I'm not sure how long your driveway is but could you just put orange cones at the end or something like that to block it so they can't drive up?

I still can't believe she did this!

You may just need to invest in something so that you are quarented that it will be cleared by the time parents arrive.

[canadiancare]

I wish I would have added this question! I was wondering how other daycares handle it all, like what are other parents are instructed to do if it isn't done before they get there? Or if it snows all through the day how many times should you have a plow out to take care of it?! What is reasonable vs. what is the expectation on the parents end?? I want to be professional, but there's only so much I can do kwim?

My driveways were always super short before moving out here, and winters have been mild in years past. It was easy to manage then and I could blame the rest of their commute on the city if roads weren't plowed. This winter has been just awful though, the driveway is huge, and gravel and I've really struggled with how to efficiently handle the issue! Last year was my first year up here and we only got one good snow that necessitated plowing - this year so far I think we've had to have someone out here at least a dozen times, maybe more?!

My husband usually shovels a quick path but the whole reason we got the contract was because he was waking up a few hours early just to peek out the window to see if he needed to shovel before going to work. Now he can sleep his normal rest and know that it will get done at some point during the day. The contract I have says after 4 cms + when 50% of the forecasted snowfall has fallen and they try to follow the city plows so that they can get the big pile in front of the driveways and not have to come back. My parents are all locals so they know how to handle the snow and won't attempt to charge at my driveway if the accumulation is too much. I don't have anything formal in my policy dealing with snow because, hey we're Canadians we just deal

[MissAnn]

She didn't listen to you....it's her problem.

Just like we do with the kids....logical consequences.

She needs to at least pay for the tow of HER car that you warned her would not make it up.

Hey! If it's that hard to get to your house.....how will it be at pick up time?

[momofboys]

I think you did all u coul. I hope u make her pay for the tow. You did notify her in advance and tell her not to come.up the drive.

[JenNJ]

I would print out the texts and attach them to a letter stating oyu are not responsible for her tow charges and she IS responsible for your extra plow charges.