Dear Snarky – Parent Drop Out Is Pissing Me Off

Dear Snarky,

I have two kids in elementary school. I drive them to school everyday and everyday there are the same three parents who consistently violate the school drop off rules. They park in the drop off only lane, they take a short cut by going the wrong way, as in against traffic just to get their kids closer to the curb. One of them gets out of her car to walk her 11-year-old inside the school. Whatever you do – don’t tell me to talk to the principal I have, a lot of parents have and they still don’t follow the rules. Help. This gets my blood pressure up every morning.

Signed, Super Ticked Off

Dear Super Ticked Off

I’m not going to kid you – this is a hard one. You’ve encountered the species known as The Rules Never Apply to Me parent. This parent believes that rules were created for other, less awesome life forms, and in no way does he or she have to follow them. When dealing with this species proceed with extreme caution. They are highly volatile and more than a little cray, cray with a capital Cray.

Because we are dealing with, shall we say, mentally damaged/deficient individuals, I feel that an intervention is your best course of action. Gather up some other parents that share your frustration and invite the The Rules Never Apply to Me individuals to a safe place, say a Starbucks. Once everyone has a drink in hand and is seated at a table, preferably in the back, proceed to voice your kind concern for their safety and the children’s.

After this I would recommend whipping out your phone and showing them videos you have taken of their flagrant and repeated violations of the school drop off policy because the Rules Never Apply to Me Parent will insist that they have done nothing wrong. That’s why video evidence is crucial.

Next, present them with the rules in writing and ask them if their tiny little brain understands what they are reading. Finally, assure them that they won’t be doing this alone. You and the entire intervention team will be their “follow the rule” buddy or to use an AA term sponsor to help them conquer or at least get a handle of their Rules Never Apply to Me addiction. Will this work? I say it’s got a 50/50 chance. But think of all the fun you’ll have running that intervention.

*For my Idiots Guide to Dropping Your Kids Off at School click here

*If you have a question for Dear Snarky – 21st Century Advice With an Attitude please email me at snarkyinthesuburbs@gmail.com or PM me on my Snarky Facebook page. 😉

4Comments

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1

Run Dedeaux Run on March 1, 2013 at 4:34 pm

Almost as bad as the parent that feels the speed limit doesn’t apply to them after they’ve dropped off their kid.
2

peachyteachy on March 1, 2013 at 7:05 pm

Probably the same vehicle that speeds through the parking lot of my kid’s school—shocker that their bumper on the driver’s side is crumpled. . .I want to run a similar intervention for a Kid-Who-Does-Not-Recognize-Any-Rule-As-Applicable-To-Him, weekly. God. I am not a good enough typist to ever type that again.
3

Jeanette on March 2, 2013 at 7:05 pm

You could be appointed the drop off official. Yes, the one with a glow in the dark yellow vest, complete with a very loud whistle. This gives you the authority to walk the kid that the “I don’t follow rules” mom wants to walk to the door. Simply say, “That’s ok, I’ve got it from here, move along! All with that beautiful smile God gave you. As for the wrong way drivers. Stand out in the lane and blow your whistle, this will get the attention of everyone. A few morning of this, or a few day on and off, will (maybe) cure them. I say go for it!
4

John on March 5, 2013 at 3:51 pm

Just get a backbone and yell/curse at them. If they don’t possess enough self-awareness to realize their poor behavior, then be their “helper”. Peer policing works.