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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

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

339 replies

SparklyTinselTits · 18/10/2015 16:33

(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?!

OP posts:

Sirzy · 18/10/2015 18:38

One thing I never understand on these threads is why people need to take their car seats out of the car.

Actually it will be interesting to see how that attitude changes over the next few years with the introduction of the new car seat regulations which will mean more people go straight to the bigger rear facing seats.

CrohnicallyAspie · 18/10/2015 18:39

I see p and c parking as like 'priority seats' for pregnant women, elderly, and those 'less able to stand' on public transport.

No, it's not legally enforceable. And if they weren't there you probably could manage some other way.

But seeing as they are there, it's not nice to use them if there's an alternative and you're not one of the target group.

My local Aldi is the worst, there is always a huge queue at 10am on a Sunday morning, every last P and C space has gone, yet no one actually has a small child with them! I understand that some people may have other reasons for wanting to use them, but seriously, every single space is taken by someone childless!

Sparklingbrook · 18/10/2015 18:42

Click and Collect is very good if you want to avoid all of this.

QueenArnica · 18/10/2015 18:42

Yes you're being an Arsenal. I've just had a radical hysterectomy and lymph node removal following cervical cancer diagnosis and now I'm driving again have sometimes parked in a p and c space as it's more comfortable to get out of my car.
If you'd said you're pa rant at me I'd have cried or shouted back as I'm now in menopause.

CrohnicallyAspie · 18/10/2015 18:43

sirzy for me, I took the car seat out because it was easier than trying to get DD out of the car seat when she didn't have neck control. It was very awkward for me to lean over to get her out and still support her head. Even if I didn't take the car seat with me, I would get the seat out, remove DD, replace seat. I bought a seat with click in base to make that easier!

itsmine · 18/10/2015 18:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

octobermist · 18/10/2015 18:44

People these days don't know they're born. I had to struggle on buses with babies, shopping and buggy. What an awful ordeal not being able to step out of the car straight into the supermarket.

hazeyjane · 18/10/2015 18:44

I put notes on their windscreens

Huh? What does the note say? How do you know whose windscreen to stick a note to?

What an odd thing to do!

Sparklingbrook · 18/10/2015 18:46

I haven't seen one itsmine, but it wouldn't surprise me. Some Mini owner trying to argue the toss about why it was necessary to park in the bigger space.
I did raise an eyebrow when I first saw them, no idea if they are policed and you would get a ticket for 'not large enough car'.

SurlyCue · 18/10/2015 18:48

Those big 7 seaters with the sliding rear doors look like they'd solve a lot of problems in parking spaces.

Bodicea · 18/10/2015 18:51

It was easier to take the car seat out as it was the only time mine went to sleep when we had been driving. And you can't push a trolley and a pram around a Supermarket together. So putting car seat in a trolley is the easiest thing especially when they are very little.

TaliZorah · 18/10/2015 18:53

hazey something like "these spaces are for parents with children. As you haven't got a child with you please don't be inconsiderate, and park in a normal space"

And only if I see them obviously

TaliZorah · 18/10/2015 18:54

I don't take the seat out but as I'm dyspraxic and have a back problem so would rather not fanny around in a tiny space where I have to struggle.

AnemonesCloser · 18/10/2015 18:55

People must go shopping armed with pens and notelets.

Scented or non?

Sirzy · 18/10/2015 18:56

Tali I am disappointed that someone with hidden disabilities is so inconsiderate and shows so little understanding as to why people may need that space sometimes even without children.

ilovesooty · 18/10/2015 18:57

I don't Park in p&c spaces largely because I don't want to invite confrontation but if I had I wouldn't take any notice of a note on the windscreen.

TaliZorah · 18/10/2015 18:58

Sirzy there were disabled spaces available, I've never done it to a car with a blue badge on. If there's a blue badge fair enough. If not, then you have no reason to be there if you don't have kids

PurpleHairAndPearls · 18/10/2015 18:59

Leaving an anonymous note is the lowest of the low IMO, Tali. I would actually rather someone was a twat to my face, like this week, so I could set them straight if I chose to.

Hiding, judging without possession of the facts and then putting a anonymous note on a strangers car is very cowardly.

ilovesooty · 18/10/2015 19:00

There are conditions that make mobility difficult that don't qualify for a blue badge.

hazeyjane · 18/10/2015 19:00

but they might have a good reason to park there -

a disability which means they struggle but don't qualify for a bb
picking up someone who is elderly or disabled
someone with an older child who is disabled, but doesn't qualify for a bb, but needs extra space/closeness to shop
picking up/meeting someone who has a child and is bringing them back to the car
someone who had a desperate need of the loo, and this was the nearest spot!

Even if it was none of the above, I am still a bit 'whaaaat?' about someone writing a note to tell someone off for using a parking space.

Sparklingbrook · 18/10/2015 19:01

I can't imagine wasting my time scribbling notes to strangers about their parking, then going over and sticking it on their car.

TaliZorah · 18/10/2015 19:01

Purple I'd happily say it to their faces too, it's just by the time I've got my son out they've usually buggered off.

Lol I'm the arse for asking people to be considerate. Okay.

Sirzy · 18/10/2015 19:01

Disabled doesn't automatically equate blue badge though.

DS uses a special needs buggy yet still isn't entitled to a blue badge.

Pohtaytoh · 18/10/2015 19:02

woodleypixie for president!

'They should just be done with parent and child spaces and make all parking spaces a decent size.'

This, exactly. Yea sure back in the day people got by without them but 2 replies to this argument. A) cars are bigger now, parking spaces don't tend to be. The new sainsburys near me is fab because it has no p&c spaces but generous size spaces. I have an average size car and don't struggle with my own parking but gave returned to dickish over the line parkers

B) I don't understand the martyrdom on mumsnet of NOT using something that makes your life as a parent easier? We didn't always have perfect prep machines and disposable nappies either.

OP I think with p&c spaces it is better to just carry on with your day and ignore it. If they are being truly selfish then a PA comment isn't going to change their behaviour.

Sirzy · 18/10/2015 19:02

But you are being inconsiderate

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