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AIBU?

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Original poster

to think I should be able to park near the school?

218 replies

zagazig · 02/05/2025 15:19

Got a call from the school. DD had vomited so they asked me to come and pick her up. Got there about 2.30pm and had to park several streets away because so many parents had already taken the prime parkin spaces. Many of them were in their cars already with some younger children in the bank. Also quite a few with their engines idling to keep the AC on as it is warm.

Are parents really parking up an hour before to get the best nearest spaces? I had to walk poor DD several streets away to get her to the car. I normally walk her to school and walk back but I took the car as I was coming from work and she was unwell.

OP posts:
Vaxtable · 02/05/2025 16:09

Yep, at one school nearby they start parking at 2 pm for. 3.20 kick out

doodahdayy · 02/05/2025 16:08

Lots of lazy fatties would rather wait an hour in the car than walk an extra 5 mins.

Redpeach · 02/05/2025 16:05

They coukd walk it in that time, bonkers

Groundhedgehogday · 02/05/2025 16:04

This happens outside our nearest secondary school. Parents parked up from 2pm onwards. I always wonder what jobs they do?!

lnks · 02/05/2025 16:04

I don’t need to do the school run now because dd is in high school. But when I did I was always there early. It’s because I finished work at 2pm. I couldn't go home first, because I wouldn’t have been able to make it before I had to turn around and head to school.

Bonsaibaby · 02/05/2025 16:03

You can normally park in the hazard lines until 2.45, the odd parents who arrive earlier for normal pick up wouldn’t be able to so they would have been free.

Pandimoanymum · 02/05/2025 16:02

Wahsingday · 02/05/2025 15:59

I live about a mile from a local school. I have two particular parents pulling onto my drive everyday at about 2:30 to wait for the school to finish so they can then buzz down and pick up the kids. The looks I get from one of the women in particular if I need to get my car out would melt stone.

Actually on your drive?! Unbelievably cheeky.

Pandimoanymum · 02/05/2025 16:01

Yes, some parents do this and it's not new. They were doing it when my 20 year old started reception, and probably long before that.

Wahsingday · 02/05/2025 15:59

I live about a mile from a local school. I have two particular parents pulling onto my drive everyday at about 2:30 to wait for the school to finish so they can then buzz down and pick up the kids. The looks I get from one of the women in particular if I need to get my car out would melt stone.

Solmum1964 · 02/05/2025 15:59

PeachPumpkin · 02/05/2025 15:55

If this happens again, it might be worth seeing if the school will let you park in their car park to collect her. My DD’s school has suggested this before, although I appreciate not all schools will allow it.

I was going to suggest this. I've certainly been able to do so in the past in similar circumstances, even if I've had to double park briefly.

PaintYourAssLikeRembrandt · 02/05/2025 15:58

I live a 5 minute walk from my kids school, several people around me leave 30-45 minutes before school ends to park nearby and drive their kids home, it must take about an hour to go, park, wait, get their kid, get out and get home.

It's actually ridiculous. I'm there and back within 15 minutes.

Bushmillsbabe · 02/05/2025 15:56

It is completely ridiculous, walk 5 more minutes and save an hour sitting in your car. It's always the same parents who get the closest spots, I don't know how they manage to get their so early,I'm always rushing from work. Luckily we live 5 mins walk from my daughters school, but the number of parents parking on yellow lines, blocking driveways etc is ridiculous. Can park safely for just a 2-3 min more walk.

PeachPumpkin · 02/05/2025 15:55

If this happens again, it might be worth seeing if the school will let you park in their car park to collect her. My DD’s school has suggested this before, although I appreciate not all schools will allow it.

SilverButton · 02/05/2025 15:52

I mean YANBU to find this annoying, but what are you suggesting as a solution?

CopperWhite · 02/05/2025 15:52

Yes, this has happened at every school I’ve worked in. Bonkers.

Eldermillennialmum · 02/05/2025 15:52

I had no idea people did this. Why?! I'd rather park further away and have to walk than give up an hour sitting on my car!

twilightcafe · 02/05/2025 15:50

toomuchfaff · 02/05/2025 15:49

Are parents really parking up an hour before to get the best nearest spaces?

Apparently so...

Yep. I live v close to a primary school. Parents parking near the school starts before 2pm.

toomuchfaff · 02/05/2025 15:49

Are parents really parking up an hour before to get the best nearest spaces?

Apparently so...