Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 ··· 17 18

Original poster

To be annoyed that old people park in mother & child spaces?

439 replies

olimpia · 14/05/2012 21:06

There are never enough mother & child parking spaces where I shop - be it supermarket or shopping centre - so I've started to notice who is actually parked in those spaces. Well, I've noticed it's mostly old people with no children. The other day I was so annoyed by this that I confronted an old man parked in a mother &. child space at Morrisons having a fag in his car while his wife did the shopping. He got very angry and basically said that he had more right than me to park near the entrance because his wife had arthritis. This is not the first time that I see older people without kids abuse the parking facilities for mothers with young children. In fact it happens all the time and supermarket staff just turn a blind eye!
I have a three month old baby and a large car so really struggle to park in regular size spaces and take the buggy out. But AIBU?

OP posts:

GrimmaTheNome · 14/05/2012 21:42

I found this on a discussion relating to P&C spaces at sainsbury:

'I have rheumatoid arthritis which can be debilitating at times and walking is sometimes a problem so I do occasionally use the parent and child spaces but usually at times when children should be tucked up in bed!

A person in the CEO's office confirmed that this wouldn't be a problem and just to mention it to staff on any visit.

I would never use a disabled bay and hope that I never have to!'

So, there you go. A case like the OPs delinquent oldies... no problem.

ledkr · 14/05/2012 21:42

op,its just one of those mn topics that gets this response,you werent to know hide the thread and stay away from posting in aibu for a bit. Of course people get iritated by this but mn will help you to get this into perspective.

BodaciousTatas · 14/05/2012 21:42

Panda be sure not to park in the mother and child spot.

CelstialNavigation · 14/05/2012 21:42

Is this a reverse AIBU and you are in fact the elderly gentleman, with the wife who has arthrisis?

Welcome to mumsnet.

Groovee · 14/05/2012 21:42

ledkr I am killing myself laughing unable to breathe at you mowing people down in your smart car on the way round tesco.

OP you have a big car through choice as plenty other cars can suit 3 children and be parked properly. You need to work in your parking.

AngusWobbleChops · 14/05/2012 21:42

wholeheartedly agree OP. Happens all the time. I've taken to speaking to such inconsiderate folks; 'excuse me I think you've left something in store' (cue panic and fumbling in pockets for purse/keys/etc). 'your child maybe?'. had some not so plesant responces but hopefully shamed them enough to think twice next time

NovackNGood · 14/05/2012 21:43

It's really unreasonable you didn't show some sisterhood and have a go at the old man for sitting there enjoying his smoko whilst poor arthritic dear was struggling to do the shopping.

What make of Honda was the old codger driving? All old duffers drive honda's don't they? :)

Krumbum · 14/05/2012 21:44

Old people have as much if not more of a reason to park nearer. It's much more difficult being elderly with shopping than you fully able bodied with a baby. Get a smaller car if you can't handle it.

TandB · 14/05/2012 21:45

Bodacious - I bloody well will. I am a parent.

I'll park in half a space. How's that?

LadyBeagleEyes · 14/05/2012 21:46

I've just had a sense of deja vu.
I'm sure I've been on this thread before.

medievalgirl · 14/05/2012 21:48

Must admit, I hate it when I can't get a parent and child space. Having got the buggy out and put one twin in it, the buggy plus baby is either in an adjacent space or in the roadway while I get the other twin out. I'm always slightly paranoid that someone's going to drive into it and kill one of the twins. I don't give a stuff how far I have to walk from car to shops, I just want the babies to be safe while I put them in the buggy. They're 19 months old but nowhere even remotely near walking, so the buggy is my only option.

QueenSconetta · 14/05/2012 21:49

Dammit typo you win!

In fairness OP, I get annoyed by this a bit too as I am a bit of a goody two shoes rule follower.

However, I would always gladly given up my P&C space for someone who was disabled, elderly etc. While it is much easier for me to use a P&C, I can manage in a normal space.

I also quite admire your gumption in tackling someone, even if it was a bit foolhardy for a variety of reasons. I just mutter to myself.

I do wonder though, how bad the lady in question's arthritis was that she was able to walk round the supermarket and do her shopping, but not able to walk from a normal space to the supermarket? Most supermarkets I know have wheelchairs to borrow so the fag smoking husband could have wheeled her round if she didn't trust him to shop for her. You just don't know though do you, so it's difficult to judge.

For example I was diagnosed with arthritis when I was 17. Once it was under control I could walk almost normally on normal pavement type terrain, but if I had to walk on uneven ground I could barely put one foot in front of the other after 5 mins. You never know.

BodaciousTatas · 14/05/2012 21:49

I parked in the m&c space last week when I had a huge pusy abscess on my face.

Couldn't risk anyone seeing me, and of course I am a mother:

fluffypillow · 14/05/2012 21:50

OP, YANBU. This pisses me off too. Everyone is making out that 'non parents' taking the P&C spaces are all disabled, and barely able to walk...............what a load of old shit.

The People tossers I've seen pinching these spaces are young and able bodied.

IT IS SELFISH.

ScarlettAlexandra · 14/05/2012 21:50

really i have brought this up before and you won't get any support on here.

but it gets my goat too, i i always mention it to the person involved if i see it. parent and child should be just that.

maybe a post on gransnet may help.

Olympia2012 · 14/05/2012 21:50

But they are not 'mother and child' spaces

fuckarama · 14/05/2012 21:53

If parent and child means parent and child, then I can park in it when out with DS1 who is 21.

Sparklingbrook · 14/05/2012 21:54

Our local town centre doesn't have P&C parking at all. Works very well.

fluffypillow · 14/05/2012 21:55

If parent and child means parent and child, then I can park in it when out with DS1 who is 21.

Why? Do you need extra space when you're trying to get him in the trolley?

ScarlettAlexandra · 14/05/2012 21:57

supermarkets by me state in big signage the child had to he under 12 years of age, still doesnt stop oaps using them. maybe they should campaign for pensioner spaces and not park where they shouldnt.

Original poster

olimpia · 14/05/2012 21:57

Tbh it wasn't just the fact that he was parked in p&c that annoyed me. It was also the arrogant look and fag sucking coupled with the fact that he could have moved the car after dropping her off rather this taking up the space.
Blimey why are you all so angry anyway?

OP posts:

gordyslovesheep · 14/05/2012 21:57

so it's selfish - so is tax avoidance and driving gas guzzling cars - I know which makes me angry and which is insignificant - they are parking spaces - people need to get a grip on themselves

5318008 · 14/05/2012 21:59

why are YOU so angry? and wtf is an ''arrogant look'' when it's at home?

Original poster

olimpia · 14/05/2012 22:00

Give up! Good night folks!

OP posts:

upahill · 14/05/2012 22:01

I would get rid of the 'mother' and child spaces.

Bloody pointless.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 ··· 17 18