Wet/dirty boots on hardwood

[Busy ECE mommy]

I have large mats at my back and front doors for removing boots/shoes and all my daycare kids know that I expect them to do this upon entering the house. My issue is that we are usually outdoors in the back when pickup time happens. The parents are wearing their snowy/dirty boots through my house from front to back without taking them off. This includes a 40 ft run of hardwood and light coloured ceramic tile that they have to cross. I'm infuriated, as my hardwood is all scratched from stones in their boots/damaged from salt/snow etc. How do I address this tactfully with the parents? I'm so shocked by the lack of courtesy, and now my hallway floors need refinishing. Do I have to get a 40ft runner made from front to back of my house LOL!

[5 Little Monkeys]

Ummm, what??? The laziness and lack of consideration for my home would annoy me!!

Is your backyard accessible from outside? If so, I'd lock the front door so they know to go around back.

I have a dc fb page and I do a monthly newsletter so I'd mention it on both. I'd also put up a sign asking that footwear be removed indoors as well as telling them face to face.

[Rachael]

My door is locked if I'm not in the house so no parent is coming through if I'm in the yard. What a rude and disrespectful bunch you have!

I would address it head on. Send a note home -

"With the winter weather, heavy footwear often wet from snow or covered in salt, my wooden floor are being ruined by footware. Please remove your footwear when you enter my home. If you prefer not to do that, you are welcome to walk around the property to pick up your child when we are outside, or remain on the mats provided if we are inside. Your co-operation in this matter is both expected and required."

[mickyc]

I agree with Rachel. It is amazing how rude and disrespectful some can be. I have linoleum in my back entrance and down my stairs. My basement used to be carpet. I had one mom who was bad for keeping her boots on and coming down the stairs but then would stop on the last stair. The thing is the kids go upstairs in the back entrance to use the bathroom. Stairs would get wet and slippery not to mention the dirt that would track onto the carpet. She did it in the summer too (like it was so hard to take off her sandals!! I ended up putting a sign by my back door that read "please remove all outdoor footwear at back door". She got the hint (and I got a few other comments from other parents - "really someone is wearing their shoes downstairs!!").

It needs to be addressed and fast.