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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

A parking conundrum

59 replies

ghostyslovesheets · 30/10/2017 13:08

Okay wise vipers where do I park in these circumstances:

Dd3 is about to finish a 2 week stay in hospital (crossing every bloody finger and touching lots of wood (ohh err))

At present she can not walk far ( had ataxia) and her motor skills are fucked - we have loaned a wheelchair

She will (see crossing every thing above) recover in time so not a permanent disability

She is 9

So do we go

A parent and child and risk the wrath of the 'It's for babies' brigade
B disabled space with no blue badge ( I really don't think I could)
C park over 2 spaces?

We have been confined for 2 weeks to one room and she is desperate to get out and about for short trips

Personally I think A and fuck it but am I right?

OP posts:
NNchangedforthis · 30/10/2017 13:10

I’d try A First, then B but would feel bad about not having a badge.

Gileswithachainsaw · 30/10/2017 13:10

A and if not possible C.

Fuck what anyone else thinks not your problem.

Fingers crossed for you too!

Cacti · 30/10/2017 13:10

A definitely. I wouldn't use disabled spaces.

KatharinaRosalie · 30/10/2017 13:11

Parent and child, they are not for babies.

It really should be a possibility to get a temporary blue badge for situations like that, I know many countries where this is an option.

ImListening · 30/10/2017 13:12

Can you apply for temporary blue badge? Not sure if such a thing is possible? Otherwise A.

PeggySueOooOo · 30/10/2017 13:14

Isn't the general rule of thumb that P&C spaces are for under 12s? So you should be fine there anyway. But if I'm wrong I'd still do a

StealthPolarBear · 30/10/2017 13:14

A without any hesitation.

user1471443504 · 30/10/2017 13:15

A definitely. You are a parent and she is your child. They aren't parent and baby spaces. If you look at the signs at some places they say up to 12 anyway. However even if it doesn't you are still entitled to use the space.

StealthPolarBear · 30/10/2017 13:15

Careful if you do c that you don't get fined
Hoping your dd gets well soon

SusannahL · 30/10/2017 13:16

Surely hospitals have a 'short stay drop off/pick up' area near the entrance?

My husband had to collect a friend from hospital recently who was on crutches following an op. He parked in that area and left a note on the windscreen saying 'collecting patient on crutches' It was fine.

firawla · 30/10/2017 13:19

A - surely no one could say anything against that!

crispsahoy · 30/10/2017 13:19

My local supermarket parent & child space is upto 11years. Go for it

LazyDailyMailJournos · 30/10/2017 13:21

A definitely - she's a child anyway and the whole point of P&C spaces is to allow more room for child seats and buggies as a mode of transport. You need room for the wheelchair - which is her current mode of transport. You cannot use a blue badge space without a blue badge.

bigbluebus · 30/10/2017 13:22

The only one of those I would go with is 'A'. She's 9 so still a child and there is no actual legal entitlement to use of a parent and child space - it's just a courtesy.
You are not entitled to a Blue Badge unless you have a severe and permanent disability. Short term (hopefully) wheelchair use does not qualify you for a BB and therefore a BB space.

Frazzled2207 · 30/10/2017 13:22

A
But I’m surprised if there is no temporary blue badge option

AlpacaLypse · 30/10/2017 13:22

Unfortunately you can't get temporary blue badges. It's IMO a massive gap in accessibility. Just because a disability is only going to last a few months doesn't mean it's not hellishly difficult to function without support during that time.

I'm currently spectacularly disabled but should be in full working order again by next year.

I use disabled bays in supermarkets but not on the public highway. The ones on public highway are enforceable by wardens, unlike the ones on private land.

I wouldn't dream of grumping at a parent using a p&c or disabled bay for a child with obviously limited mobility. I did it when dd1 had a broken leg when she was 5.

TheFairyCaravan · 30/10/2017 13:23

Definitely A.

elfinpre · 30/10/2017 13:23

A, definitely.

ALemonyPea · 30/10/2017 13:32

Definitely A. Don’t do B without a badge as it’s not the done thing, and you could get fined.

Hope your DD is well soon 💐

Original poster
ghostyslovesheets · 30/10/2017 13:32

Cheers you lovely lot - I was thinking a then c - I will put on my best don't even think about tutting face!

The temp blue badge thing is such a pain - I would have thought - with a Drs note, you could have applied but sadly not - she could recover in 1-2 weeks or 1-2 months

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 30/10/2017 13:34

Parent and child would be perfectly fine. But blue badge is strictly for blue badge holders so don't park there. Can you apply for blue badge even if only temporary. Just seen you can't. That's wrong.

KitKat1985 · 30/10/2017 13:36

A.

After my Dad had major spinal surgery (unexpected - so no blue badge or anything) he could only move a couple of steps at a time with a zimmer frame by the time he was discharged, so there was no way he was going to walk to the car park, (and the route to the car park wasn't wheel-chair friendly) so I had to park outside one of the main exits for a couple of minutes whilst I put him in the car. I found that everyone was okay about it because they could see what I was doing.

Waddlelikeapenguin · 30/10/2017 13:38

A then C
I can not imagine anyone objecting to you using P&C spaces but i woukd be wary of being finded for bad parking (although based on some car parks round here they dont!).
Hope your daughter's recovery is swift Flowers

nokidshere · 30/10/2017 13:39

Do A or B and don't feel at all guilty!

Obviously don't do B on a public Rd but at the supermarket you will be fine.

imisschocolate · 30/10/2017 13:41

Option d - park at the end of a row where there is a pavement on side you need extra space?

Although if there is a parent and child you would be perfectly right to take it.