to have shouted at the knobhead who parked in a parent and child space?!

[SparklyTinselTits]

(pre-thread warning: I'm a bit of a grumpy arsehole most of the time)

So, about two hours ago, myself, DH and DD (6 months) went to tescos. Headed for the parent and child spaces, but they were all full. I saw a couple, probably in their mid-30's loading their shopping into their car - not a child or car seat in sight. So DH pulled into a space just across the way from them. I made a big show of struggling to get DD out of her car seat in the normal sized space, and as we walked past I said "nice to see you struggling to get all your kids into your car in that massive space"

The man didn't know what to say, and the woman just put her head down and pretended not to have heard me.
Was I BU? Or does everyone else get The Rage when childless people park in parent and child spaces?!

the second as the disabled spaces are all taken up and the normal spaces are too far away

Seriously Woof1e? Much as I imagine it might be awkward to get twins out of the car, you can't seriously be complaining about a disabled person using the space because the disabled spaces are full? [gasp]

I totally admit it was petulant of me to have made my snidey comment....but I couldn't help myself. Really irks me!

Really didn't want this to turn into people bashing each others parenting though

Cunt is just a word people, don't get your knickers in a twist.
Yes Anemones you do now have me questioning my whole parenting ethos based on your anonymous jibe on the internet. You got me!

Well it certainly explains your hysteric overreaction.

You could have helped yourself though OP. You are an adult. You have total control over what you say.

OP, the question is, would you do it again?

Probably not in the way I did it no I realise it looked really childish! I would still be pissed about it, but would probably just stick with the "death stare" as I walked past rather than my little kiddy tantrum

Death stares are fine Op

A good growl at their entitled behaviour to accompany it.

You would have looked a right tit deliberately parking in a space where you would struggle to get your child out. Why not have parked at the end of a row further away where you wouldn't have any problem?

spanish I'm suggesting your parenting might need a bit of tweaking as you recommend calling someone a 'cunt' over such a minor matter. In the presence of children.

You sound like a very angry person, you might want to address that. It can't be making you happy.

Yabu. I find it a mn phenomenon that getting kids and car seats out is impossible without p&c spaces. It's not. Another only mn thing is people dragging blue badge spaces into the debate. The necessity of the later is not remotely comparable to the former and it amazes me anyone would think it was.

I didn't even notice you OP, you'll have to speak up next time....

*latter

You really shouldn't risk bumping/scratching the car next to you with your door if it will be a struggle to get your dd out in a space with cars parked at either side.

Try using the back of the carpark where you can usually get a space with no one beside you, or unloading your dd before you dh manoeuvres into a tight space.

Cant get excited about who uses P&C parking when you not only had your dh with you but also had other options.

You actually had no idea why they parked there op.

You probably made someone feel like shit for no reason. There are loads of perfectly reasonable explanations why they were parked there and none of them your business.

It's not your right to park there. They are a courtesy that's all.

IKnow

OP do you actually understand that you have no more right or entitlement to those spaces than a childless driver? I'm not sure from your posts whether you get that now.

If you say so Anemones
I'll give it some very careful consideration. Thanks for your input

Good. I think you'll find it beneficial in the long run.

I'm completely with you OP and do shout at people who park in M&B spaces who don't have children with them.

I really don't know why people on MN are so against them, if you aren't driving a mini and have one of those lift out car seats you can't get it back into the car if someone parks too close to you. Even with a bigger baby, you still need a certain amount of door opening space to get the child in and out without scratching the door of the car in the next space. Supermarkets obviously agree too, or they wouldn't have them.

I suppose its what it represents too that irritates me - a total lack of consideration for other people and abject laziness.

Shouting at strangers in public places is just horrible.

YANBU. Drivers have the sense to not park in disabled unless they have a blue badge but think nothing of parking in parent and child. One thing though - supermarkets should put p&c spaces away from the entrance. Also one of the posters has said they are not legally enforceable. Think this is wrong, supermarket car parks have signs up all over the place saying you risk a fine for parking inP&C and disabled spots.

One of them could have been with their mum or dad who was inside the shop... Not exactly a parent and small child but parent and child none the less.

People managed perfectly well getting kids in and out of cars without special spaces for years. It's not a right... Try improving your parking or not carting kids around in a 2 door car and then there's no problem

I'd have laughed at you tbh, because you have no more right to park there than anybody else.