It happened! Someone ran into the gate!

[Heidi]

Honestly, if there was so much damage to my house and property, I'd question what it's really costing me.

I mean, you are supposed to be doing this for an income, but if you're constantly replacing and repairing, it cuts in to your profit. If you had a smaller group (how many families do you have), and were more selective, would you come out the same?

[Play Care]

Honestly, if there was so much damage to my house and property, I'd question what it's really costing me.

I mean, you are supposed to be doing this for an income, but if you're constantly replacing and repairing, it cuts in to your profit. If you had a smaller group (how many families do you have), and were more selective, would you come out the same?

[DaveA]

I'd start with the most likely candidate and ask them outright. If no one cops to it, call a parent meeting.

Tick down the list of ridiculous offenses and then tell them that since no one has admitted the damage, everyone's rates are going up to compensate (or they are splitting the bill). The one you complains "unfair" the loudest is the most likely culprit.

If you know for SURE that it wasn't a particular family, you can always warn them ahead of time that the s*** is going to hit the fan and they should consider themselves excluded.

You've got to be kidding me! How clueless/idiotic can people be?

[Shell]

Oops, double post

[Shell]

Agree with Heidi also. I cannot believe you deal with such nonsense.
These parents are worse than children!

[taylorw1210]

Is there any chance it could have been someone who was turning around in your driveway?

[daycarediva]

O.M.G!!!!!!!! I'm speechless. WOW!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

DEFINITELY get some cameras. WOW!!!!

[Unregistered]

Is there any chance it could have been someone who was turning around in your driveway?

I was thinking a random person who didn't know you had a gate too. Just pulled in to turn around and bammm.

[crazydaycarelady]

I don't think it was a turnaround, just because the way the driveway is diagonal to the road a turnaround would have been angled differently when they pulled in and also they pulled in too far for a turnaround.

I went from family (6 kids) to group (12 kids) about 3 years. I have 17 families enrolled. There has definitely been an increase in recklessness since then. I want to drop back down but am paying off a few bills first.

I can't imagine anyone doing it on purpose.

The thing that surprises me is that when it happens a lot of times they never say anything. Some do......but why not just tell me. We are all (supposed to be) adults.

[taylorw1210]

How do you think you're going to handle this situation? Is the damage bad?

[Baby Beluga]

Wow....just wow.

I like the idea of everyone's tuition increasing to help pay for the damages.

[crazydaycarelady]

My hubby was able to fix it without spending any money.

[rosieteddy]

i would stop all parents from pulling into the driveway. Iwould let them know that it is unexceptable to ruin your landscaping and any damage would be divided among all the parents.

[AuntTami]

At this point, I wouldn't even TELL the parents that it didn't cost any money to repair it.

I would still sit them down and point blank say "Here's the deal. A LOT of my PERSONAL PROPERTY has been getting damaged lately, just yesterday someone ran into the NEW GATE and didn't bother to fess up to the damage. SO, as a result, EVERYONE'S rates will be going up by XX amount to cover the cost of the continual repairs. I expect minor damage and wear and tear to be had, but I don't expect to have to FIX my brand new gate. If at some point in time, I determine that the damage has seized and I'm confident it won't happen any longer, I will lower your rates back to the original rate." I wouldn't be putting up with this NO LONGER!

You can get a cheap trail camera at walmart/cabela's/any type of sporting goods store, and attach it right to your gate. Then you will have plate numbers of everyone coming and going. They're not very expensive(maybe $40-100) and don't require any special equipment or anything except a digital camera or some way of loading a memory card onto your computer.... They don't take video, but you can set them to take a picture every couple of seconds....That would be my next step, AFTER talking to all the parents.

I cannot believe how inconsiderate your parents are! I told my BF everything that has been happening with your families, and his response was "I'd be sitting at the end of the driveway every day with a 12gauge daring anyone to be an idiot" LOL!.... He was just kidding of course, but I would be BLOWING MY TOP if I was you!