AIBU Re parent and child parking

[BlueSuedeStiletto]

Right. I'm fully aware that this is a bit of a contentious issue but...

DSis has broken her leg. Today I took her to the supermarket as she needed a big shop and her DP currently only has a motorbike. Plus, she needed to get out of the house!

We parked in an ordinary space, but she couldn't get out- the cast she's in goes above the knee with a funny metal bendy bit that's not very bendy, so to get in and out she has to open the door fully, sit down and swivel in or out. We needed space to do this so I moved to a parent and child space.

All was fine, she hobbled around the shop very slowly and we got it done. However, once we got back to the car a woman had a massive go at us for using the space. I explained the situation, and she reckoned I should have dropped DSis at the entrance and then parked. To be fair, I did think of that, but she's quite wobbly on the crutches and feeling vulnerable so I didn't really want to leave her alone while I faffed about parking. The woman was really rude and DSis was getting upset- she's fed up and in pain as it is!

It got me thinking though- there are a few situations where you might need extra space- for example when I take my elderly GM and Aunt somewhere they need to have the doors fully open to get in and out- they're not disabled, just old and arthritic!

My point is, I fully understand why parents need the wider spaces and I wouldn't dream of parking in one of I was on my own- but AIBU to think that it's not just parents who need a bit of extra space?

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

If your elderly relatives are so disabled they need extra space they should apply for a blue badge.

[LaurieFairyCake]

If you needed to open the door you could have parked at the other end of the car park which is the quietest bit

[Kewcumber]

That wouldn't bother me - parent and child spaces are a courtesy provision by a supermarket not a human right. Sensible use of them by people who need extra space doesn't seem the end of the world.

[Andrewofgg]

You were right and Ms Rude was wrong,now move on!

[Kewcumber]

You don't get a blue badge for being stiff and needing a bit of extra room to manoevre!

I would normally agree with you Laurie but people newly on crutches tend to be very wobbly and your hands and armpits hurt like hell. I don;t see why parking in a P&C space is a big problem in this situation.

[SweetsForMySweet]

I hope you're wearing your fire proof suit op, the p&c space threads never go well on mn especially in aibu.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

People think. they own spaces. your poor sister.

as long as there is disabled parking anything else is a bonus really. This parent and child space thing hasn't been around that long. People managed. with far bigger unfoldable prams than are available today.

I hope she's feeling better now

[asmallandnoisymonkey]

Laurie, are you actually serious?

Of COURSE you weren't being unreasonable. It's much easier for a parent to park further away and walk with their child then it is for someone one crutches with a broken leg.

I honestly sit open mouthed at the entitlement and stupidity of some of the people on this site.

Please OP - ignore the idiot woman that thinks having children is more needy of a larger space than someone with a BROKEN LEG. Madness.

[LuisSuarezTeeth]

I would think someone with a broken leg needs the space more than a parent with a child. It's common sense really.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

in fact people still do manage given a car park has like 6 of the damn things in a car park that has hundred of spaces.

[MythicalKings]

YWNBU you needed it as much as she did. You could also have used a disabled space, I did when I was in a cast and the supermarket were fine with it.

[Floralnomad]

fanjo , you would be lucky to get a blue badge just for being old and a bit arthritic . TBH there is always a lot of angst about P&C spaces which would be solved by putting them at the far end of the carpark - parents may need space but they don't need to be close to the door of the shop . If I were in the position of the OP I would probably have done the same thing .

[JassyRadlett]

If you needed to open the door you could have parked at the other end of the car park which is the quietest bit

I always love it on threads like this where one poster always assumes their experience is universal.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

I am aware of the blue badge criteria. Since we have one.

I assumed they were fairly arthritic if they needed the door fully wide open.

[BlueSuedeStiletto]

fanjo like I said, they're not disabled enough to qualify for a blue badge (also neither of them has a car and I don't drive them often enough to get one)- they're just old.

Laurie it's an underground car park, none of the spaces are that big due to the pillars supporting the ceiling. And the upstairs bit is too far from the entrance for DSis on her crutches. Don't forget she also had to walk round the store. Crutches are knackering!

Sweets I am wearing a sexy firefighter outfit but am fully prepared to hear that I was being U if I was!

[grannytomine]

I think you did the right thing, you can't get a blue badge for a temporary condition and hopefully she will heal so won't be permanent. Much better to use a P & C space than a blue badge space. As to parking at the far end of the car park, really? You didn't see me when I was on crutches! I could barely make it to the supermarket wheelchairs from the blue badge spaces, DH has a blue badge so we could use them.

[browneyedgirl86]

I don't think you are being unreasonable but expect you will be flamed for this.

Being on crutches is horrible. I used them for 3 months and It is was not pleasant. The woman was rude. You parked in that space to give you extra room to accommodate your sister because as I know all too well, spaces are tiny, getting in and out of cars is a pain and i think it's unreasonable to expect you to park at the back of the car park and make your sister hop all the way to the store entrance.

I think the woman who had a go at you was being unreasonable. Who the hell berates strangers for parking in a space ? Particularly when it's clear your sister has limited mobility?

[slippermaiden]

You could have dropped her at te entrance and then gone and parked.

[SoupDragon]

If you needed to open the door you could have parked at the other end of the car park which is the quietest bit

LOLOLOL. Yes, and then cross the entire carpark on crutches whilst dodging cars and being unable to get through any small gaps.

Seriously??? Far easier for the rude, whinging, entitled mother to park further away and carry her child I think.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

You could have dropped her at te entrance and then gone and parked

yeah and maybe some of these healthy able toddlers can walk and not be crammed into a buggy

[SoupDragon]

I do think some people have lost all perspective and the ability to be considerate of others.

I was far more capable of using an normal car parking spot when I had children than I was when DS1 was on crutches with a plastered ankle. I think you'd have to be really unpleasant not to concede a space to someone who is clearly in physical need.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Then they wouldn't heed so much space then would they

[asmallandnoisymonkey]

I can't believe spaces for parents are even needed at the entrance of shops frankly. Larger spaces, yes, definitely. But why do they have to be within spitting distance of the doors? Surely people whom it causes pain or discomfort to walk or travel to the shop should be afforded those spaces?

Giles is right.

[Samcro]

yanbu

[SaucyJack]

My grandad has a blue badge for age-related degeneration.

YANBU OP- and I'm a stickler for P