Parent and child spaces - AIBU?

[shinyblackgrape]

Right. I know the use of these spaces are contentious. However, I just want to check if AIBU or not

Currently 37 weeks pregnant and knackered. Just off to the hell that is the Trafford Centre on a Saturday. I'm pretty fit but starting to find walking for miles really tiring. I know there will probably only be a space in the overflow car park which is genuinely about half a mile away from the shops. Then I need to walk round and walk back etc.

DH thinks, under the circumstances, I could park in a parent and child space. I thought they were only for people whose babies were actually born so I cant use them?

Who's right? Don't want to piss people off!

Can't he drop you off at the doors to the centre, park and meet you in there?

Sounds like it's a yes to the P&C space then with Plan B being DH drop you at the door?

I'd get DH to drop you off at the door and meet him inside after he's parked the car & then collect you at the door when you are done.

But that aside, it is perfectly fine to use a P&T space, it's the baby that's making this very difficult, it makes no difference if it's in a car seat or in your womb!

Good luck finding a P and C space at the trafford centre they are like gold dust.

Can you get your DH to drop you off and then park the car and meet you if there are no spaces? If you head to the upstairs debenhams end car park he can drop you by the under cover bit before you go in so you can wait for him there.

Of course you can. Anyone can actually as they arnt legally enforceable.

For able bodied to park in disabled space is unforgivable though.

Agree that DH should drop you off if you decide to go but seriously - contemplating the TC on a Saturday afternoon a month and a bit before Christmas?! And expecting there to be a P&T space?? You are clearly not getting enough sleep in the final weeks of your pregnancy !!

I think it would be nice if you would consider the people who may have greater need of the space than you (say a pregnant mum with a couple of toddlers on her own!) and get dh to drop you at the doors, as I said.

They are open til 9pm aren't they? You could always go a bit later.

I once got stuck in my car while pg as I forgot I was huuuuuge and could open my door wide enough.
YANBU.

But minty how do you decide who needs them more? How do you know who will use the space if you don't? That is impossible to work out really!

Sirzy, it is perfectly simple: she has a dh who can park the car and walk across the car park. Of course you can't know who will park in the space if you don't, but why take a space if you don't really need it? Anyway, for the life of me I can't see how walking across a car park is going to take its toll on op more than traipsing around the shops for a couple of hours .

I would have absolutely no problem with someone who is heavily pregnant, elderly or recovering from surgery using these spaces. They need them just as much as a parent with a child in tow and it would be a very self entitled person who would make a fuss and insist you left the space for them.

I totally disagree though with the poster who said it would be ok to use a disabled space. These spaces are absolutely essential for disabled people and can be the difference between being able to get their shopping done or having to turn the car around and go home.

Op has already said she wouldn't use a disabled space. I think a p&c is fine, if you can get one. But I also think you're mad, it will be heaving. A PP said the shops are open till 9, why don't you go around 6ish?

I think you will definitely struggle to find a space- for a carpark that size, there aren't many. My vote is to get your DH to drop you at the Orient- park yourself at Carluccios with a large piece of cake, and wait for him to find you. (Voice of experience)

Yes, I am more worried about how vile and packed the TC will be than the P&C parking TBH.

minty - I'm not traipsing round the shops for a couple of hours. I'm going to exactly two shops which are very close together. One really as DH will go to one while I go to the other. I'm not fit to traipse round the shops for hours. I was until about 35 weeks. Woukd regularly walk to and from the over flow carpark but I can't now.

The thing is, using your logic, re whose need is greater, I'm never going to be able to use the spaces. Even when the baby is born, I cant use them for fear of someone more deserving coming along such as as a pregnant woman with spd, twin babies and a toddler.

But - do take the points that DHbcould drop me off. It just got us discussing/thinking - when could they be used? Who has the greater need etc? So, decided to turn to mumsnet!!

It sounds as though your need is great enough op, I wouldn't bother yourself about who is more deserving of the space. Those spaces aren't a legal requirement anyway, just something thats nice to have. The majority of parents are more than capable of using an ordinary spot, they just choose not to.

I often didn't bother with parent and child spaces if, say, I only had one of the dc with me or if there were loads of other spaces in the car park. And, incredibly, plenty of car parks don't have them at all .

My town doesn't have any Mintyy. Solves the problem nicely.

If I saw a pregnant woman using a p&c space I'd be very sympathetic - when you're huge you need the extra space :o. I was massive with both DC and struggled to squeeze in and out of the car in a normal space and walking long distances used to make me very out of breath. Had pre-eclampsia both times.

I don't think there's an issue using one when pregnant.

Better solution would be dp dropping you at door though.