Failing to Pick Up Your Child after an Activity |
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Children are more involved in activities now than in the past. Besides being active in school, a child may be involved in multiple sports, different camps and after-school clubs. The schedule of a child may be difficult for parents to keep up.
A problem arises when parents fail to pick up their child on time. Whether the child's activity is academic or athletic, the supervisor of the activity has her own schedule that must be respected. Parents who fail to get their children at the scheduled time cause problems for the child and for the supervisor.
Steps a Supervisor Should Take if Parents Fail to Pick Up Their Child
Supervisors of programs and activities need to tell parents upfront that children should be picked up on time. Although most parents are diligent about their children's schedules, some parents are neglectful about their children. They might not think or care that watching their children outside an activity's scheduled time is a burden on a supervisor.
Supervisors might want to start a three-strikes rule for their activity. If a parent is late in picking up his child three times, the child is out of the program. Even though it might seem unfair to the child, the supervisor can't let a neglectful parent control the supervisor's schedule.
Supervisors should carry a cell phone at all times and make sure they have the home and work phone numbers of all the parents. They should also have the phone numbers of emergency contacts in case a parent is unavailable. Other parents that are on time may also be able to help if they live close to the house or workplace of a parent that's late.
Another issue that a supervisor must worry about is sexual harassment. Sexual harassment by a coach or teacher is unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature towards a child. A supervisor must make sure that there's not even the appearance of sexual harassment. However, if a parent fails to pick up his child, a supervisor may be left alone with that child. The supervisor should always attempt to have another adult around with the child. He should also be in a public place and not in a closed room. Making a cell phone call while alone with a child awaiting pick up is another option.
As a last resort, if a supervisor is unable to reach a parent or an emergency contact, he can contact law enforcement. The child can then be safely watched at the police station. Supervisors should know the policy of the program, organization or school district on what to do if a child isn't picked up promptly.
Steps a Parent Should Take to Lessen the Chances of Failing to Pick Up His Child
Parents need to realize that supervisors of their children's activities have their own personal schedule. A parent failing to pick up his child at the set time is rude behavior that indicates that he thinks his time is more valuable than the supervisor's time.
Parents should have detailed calendars that indicate the days and times their children need to be picked up from an activity. They should make sure that they can leave work at an early enough time to not be late. Parents should take into account the weather and traffic conditions so they're not surprised at how long it takes them to arrive at the child's activity.
If a parent won't be able to pick up his child on time, he needs to call the child's emergency contact as soon as possible to have her pick the child up. The parent shouldn't expect the supervisor to have to stay late to watch his child.
Parents involved in a custody dispute should make sure that their children are always promptly picked up on time from any activities. Any action or inaction by a parent that leads to the child being kicked out of an activity or program might be used in court as an example of neglectful behavior.
Questions for Your Attorney
- My child's sports program charges late fees on a per minute basis for late pick up; my ex-spouse is always late and I'm getting billed for it; what can I do?
- I carpool for my children's activities. With the number of kids I transport, do I need added insurance? Maybe an umbrella policy?
- I've been repeatedly late in picking up my child from her activities; could this be used against me in a custody dispute, or could the supervisors file a report with child protection services?
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