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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To use a parent and child parking space

113 replies

Marymaymay · 30/05/2016 20:54

I'm 35 weeks pregnant and huge (size 10 everywhere else but a larger than average bump) with hips which are gradually displacing, almost constant braxton hicks and generally exhausted and a bit pathetic.

What would you think if you saw me use a parent and child's space at the supermarket?

OP posts:
scoobyloobyloo · 30/05/2016 21:11
Grin Duvet
ThatsMyStapler · 30/05/2016 21:11

and what if i am shopping with my 2yr old nephew? am i allowed to use the parking spaces? i'm not his parent?

Karoleann · 30/05/2016 21:12

I probably would notice, as I think they are for the benefit of parents with small children who either can't get the car seat out/in if they are parked too close to someone else, or don't want to leave their very small children in the car for more than a couple of seconds when they go to get, or take back a trolley.

I do often have a go at people who park in M&B spaces with no small children (but I wouldn't at you as carrying a very large baby is also difficult).
I don't have small children any more, but really did appreciate them when my 3 were little and you will too. But it is very selfish and annoying when lazy buggers who can't be bothered to park further away take them up.

honkinghaddock · 30/05/2016 21:13

Sometimes it can be more difficult to get a 8 year old in/out than a toddler.

PurpleDaisies · 30/05/2016 21:14

and what if i am shopping with my 2yr old nephew? am i allowed to use the parking spaces? i'm not his parent?

How would anyone know?! I'm sure you'd be fine, as would a grandparent with a toddler grandchild.

scoobyloobyloo · 30/05/2016 21:14

We shall henceforth call it adult and child spaces to prevent the post getting hijacked by semantics.

DorothyHarris · 30/05/2016 21:14

Go for it. I used them when I didn't have dd with me when I was pg with twins. I was in constant pain and couldn't walk far without stopping for a rest it was horrendous. Do it and don't worry.

Baileycakes · 30/05/2016 21:15

I wouldn't mind at all, I remember how hard it was in late pregnancy you need more room

Foofoobum · 30/05/2016 21:17

Heavily pregnant women are still parents... It's just their child still resides within

scoobyloobyloo · 30/05/2016 21:17

I hope all you lovely people are shopping at my Tescos next time I go.

Lweji · 30/05/2016 21:19

Fine by me.
You ARE with child. :)
Don't the signs also shown pregnant women?
I've just checked the supermarket across the road (alas not UK) and the spaces show pregnant women.

scoobyloobyloo · 30/05/2016 21:19

Oops - I'm OP but different user name as on different device the whole hacker thing cocked up my accounts.

sharknad0 · 30/05/2016 21:26

Of course it's ok, you obviously need the space, what are you supposed to do otherwise? Squeeze the baby?

I really can't see why an (average) 8 or 10 year old need the toddler space frankly, they are old enough to climb in the car by themselves, and you can fasten their belts easily once they are in.

Waltermittythesequel · 30/05/2016 21:30

Who would have a problem with this, really?

Lazy people who park in them because they're fat = cunts.

People who use them even though their children are long gone = cunts.

People who are heavily pregnant and unable to get around as well as usual = grand.

Heidi42 · 30/05/2016 21:31

carry on and congrats with the baby

OneMagnumisneverenough · 30/05/2016 21:32

I wouldn't care and technically you are a parent with child anyway.

KatyS36 · 30/05/2016 21:32

Use them.

Parking with baby, toddler, small child much easier than parking with bad SPD.

Katy

booklooker · 30/05/2016 21:33

I would mind a lot less than the joker I saw chatting on his mobile phone with no evidence of any children in his two seater sports car which was parked diagonally across 2 parent and child spaces at Sainsburys this afternoon

Nah, sorry but I don't believe that at all

Waltermittythesequel · 30/05/2016 21:35

I believe it. I see stuff like that all the time.

Waltermittythesequel · 30/05/2016 21:36

In fact, there are posters on here who are delighted with themselves for using them whilst alone because they're not legally enforceable or some shit.

True, but you're still an arsehole.

MrsJaxTeller · 30/05/2016 21:36

Personally it should be mother and toddler not necessarily for older children

I park in them all the time when I have elderly MIL in the car who doesn't have a blue badge and has mobility issues.

booklooker · 30/05/2016 21:50

" joker I saw chatting on his mobile phone": Yes, I've seen that

"no evidence of any children": Yes seen that as we

"sports car which was parked diagonally across 2 parent and child spacesl":
I've heard about this. but not seen it.

All of the above, and in a Sainsbury's carpark and this afternoon, and spotted by a MNer... very unlikely

MintyBojingles · 30/05/2016 21:54

YANBU. I'm 28 weeks with SPD and a toddler in tow, and I would thoroughly argue from experience that you need it more than someone with just a toddler. I have to open my car door all the way to get in and out atm. TBH I send DH to the shops as much as possible, but that isn't always practical.

EatsShitAndLeaves · 30/05/2016 21:54

Go for it - I wouldn't mind.

You are technically a parent and child Smile

It would be a bit of a piss take in early pregnancy but at 35 weeks I'd say you're more than entitled to the space than some people I've seen use them - aka parents with children clearly over 10 years old....

Rebecca2014 · 30/05/2016 21:56

I used then when taking an elderly client out for an social call,he can't walk very far and hasn't got an disabled badge! So I wouldn't judge you!