to think it's rubbish to have parking rage at another school mum.

[noseynoonoo]

This morning I was taking my chiildren to school. I usually park in a road that has parking on both sides so cars have to wait at one end whilst the line of travelling cars come through. Today I was travelling through whilst there was a car at the end. Towards the end of cars I saw a space and took it. Cue mum in car at other end flashing her lights and saying something to me. I'm no good at lip-reading but checked I hadn't parked over a drive way and all seemed ok. I got my children out by which time she was out of her car having a go that it was her space, that she had been waiting for it etc. I explained that I had not realised that she had the intention to park there and since she wasn't indicating there was nothing to suggest it. She expected me to put my children back in the car and drive off to vacate the space. She then said that if I parked properly we could both fit in (clearly not the case because her car was huge and there was just 2metres left) and then starting saying, 'It's people like you...'

Now frankly, I have had a rough few weeks and don't need the antagonism. There were other mums around and I felt embarrassed that she was trying to get me into an argument (I stayed very calm) and my children had to experience it. On top of that, we have children at the same school - we're going to bump into each other. I understand that she might have been stressed but surely IANBU to think you don't started kicking off to other school mums.

YANBU

But on the other hand, I can't believe how many people insist they have to drive to school these days when actually they don't.

If parents stopped making unnecessary car journeys, there wouldn't be this sort of problem outside almost every school in the country.

I knew I'd get that response! We do have to walk at the moment. Youngest is only 3 (at nursery) and we live in a ridiculously hilly area. Once he has longer legs we'll do it. I think my daughter was the furthest child to get a place at the school so there can't be anyone who lives further than us - but then I think a fair few live at Grandma's address - but that's a whole other thread!

YANBU. It can be a nightmare trying to park outside my sons school too. We live 12 miles away so walking isn't an option.

if she was waiting to park she shoudl have indicated. i think you should have put the children back in the car and let her have her bloody space.

The other day, a mother jumped out of her car in a rage at a man and threatened to key his car. Her children were in the back of the car. It is ridiculous and makes me glad I walk.

"If parents stopped making unnecessary car journeys, there wouldn't be this sort of problem outside almost every school in the country"

Focus Worral. The thread is about Road Rage Mom :)

But I'll play along for a while. We live about 3 miles from DD's school. Not everyone lives down the road anymore. Haven't you read the threads about educational authorities and how they allocate schools miles from where the family lives?

Running two cars isn't that cheap so your 'typical' family isn't going to be running a second car simply because mom is too lazy to walk the kids to school.

I think you should probably not decide to park in an area where you know that parking is an issue.

Would it kill you to park a few streets away? I understand that a 3yo cannot walk very far, but parking a 5min walk from the school will ensure you will be able to find a space that does not inconvenience anyone, therefore making your morning less stressful and you all get a bit of fresh air.

If it's raining that's another thing, but at least if you can try to park a few streets away then there will be less congestion and you won't have to put up with irate mums. And if you bump into this mum again you can tell her about the wonderful parking spot you've found!

TheRhubarb, there aren't actually that many streets to choose from being sem-rural. This isn't a thread about the rights and wrongs about driving to school or parking close to school or parking inconsiderately. I just think it's unreasonable to verbally abuse another parent infront of children over something as trivial as a parking space.

I never begin to understand the proportion of parents who feel they have to park right at the school gate.
Of course some may have to (work, other dc to drop etc) but I regularly see parents killing each other over the spaces right next to the school gate and then hanging around chatting in the playground.
Some people are fucking bonkers, idle, selfish,inconsiderate,wankers odd

I drive my kids to school, one is at a school about 2 miles away and she has cerebral palsy so I have to drive her then I go to the primary school which is 3 miles from us. I always park in the leisure centre carpark which is opposite the school and because I get there 15 mins early I always get a space.
I have put ds2 down for the school just around the corner for sept, which means I will be able to walk it but I will still have to pick up dd from her secondary school. Luckily ds1 gets a taxi as he is at a different secondary school due to his disabilities. But when we moved here the primary school wasn't built and the only school that had spaces was the one 3 miles from here.
But the traffic is terrible and I can't wait to not have to go up the road with 4 schools on it any more.

Oh, I don't think you get to chose what a thread will be about.

You post your op. The great swathes of mn decide where it goes after that.

Did either of you have a 4x4 ?

Yes it is inconsiderate, but mums get stressed in the mornings trying to drop children off and then get to work. None of us mean to have a hysterical rant in front of the kids over trivial stuff but we all do.

I'm sure you have lost your temper in front of the kids over trivial stuff too.

No it's not nice but it happens. I often wonder why people can't set off 5 mins earlier? Why set off to arrive at the exact time that everyone else arrives and are jostling for parking spaces? Why the need to park right in front of the school?

Our primary is also in a rural village and parents drive right up to it and double park, often blocking the high street when there are loads of parking spaces just round the corner. In fact the school are always telling parents to park in the local pub carpark but none ever do and some of these parents come from my estate - a mile away and they pass me walking every single morning.

If it's raining I park round the corner where there is always a free space.

Sometimes I'm sure that people actually try their best to make their lives MORE stressful than it needs to be!

Pagwatch, may I just say that the parking space was not next to the school gate, in view of the school gate, on the same road as the school gate or really very close to the school gate at all. There is a private car park next door to the school that is illegally used by mums who have that wish.

Pagwatch - she has a 4x4.

bingo

I get there 10 mins early and park a few streets away. I chill with DD until I am allowed to leave her then run like the clappers to try and get home before DS2s bus arrives.
I fucking hate having to drive this year. Hate it.

DS1 walks by himself now! I had a year of doing the school run in a car it was a ROYAL PITA, I don't get why anyone who has any sort of option would choose to drive it.

School run in car is crazeee.

I hate driving too. I am looking forward to DS being longer of leg so we can walk. It will take us about 40 minutes down a steep hill and then up a steep hill and I'm looking forward to it. To be fair, the people who park on the street aren't usually like this - it's the ones who park illegally in the car park that are rude. I don't even usually get so close to the school. I thought my luck was in - won't do it again...

Nah, that was 4x4 bingo.

I think the Bingo was for the 4x4 (not mine I stress).

Morloth - when did you let him walk and does he have any busy roads to cross?