Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Mother and baby parking

461 replies

crispysausagerolls · 10/09/2018 14:33

Went to the supermarket today with my baby and really could’ve used the mother and baby space to get my car seat in and out etc (especially hard as I have a 2 door car). Just as I arrived a woman without a baby pulled into the mother and baby spot, without a baby. My mother asked her what she was doing and she said she was waiting for a child. 2 mins later a middle aged woman came out of the supermarket and got into the car and she started to drive off. So she had lied. I said thanks to her in a sarcastic way as i was struggling to get my baby out in a tight space (very passive aggressive of me I know but DS hates the car and had been screaming and I was so irritated by not having the space) and she started spouting off about being heavily pregnant and blah blah blah. Which was all completely irrevelant (if even true) because she didn’t get out of the bloody car anyway!

AIBU to think the mother and baby space isn’t somewhere to just wait for a mate to come and join you in the car? People genuinely need the extra space provided by them!

OP posts:
crispysausagerolls · 12/09/2018 10:14

greatduckcookery

To reiterate, I wasn’t just walking past someone without a child and thought “I know, let’s get involved!” She happened to pull into the space in front of me (speculation but could probably hear my baby screaming away in the car so knew I had one anyway) and next to two empty disabled spaces. The reason I personally talked her was because my mother had asked her and she had said she was waiting for a child, and no child came out but an adult. And that’s when I was a bit wtf about the situation because it became apparent she was not even leaving the car but had been waiting for a friend which she could have done outside the entrance not even in a space.

In that exact same scenario would I say something? Yes!!!!!!!! That doesn’t mean I am immune to the plight of those with hidden disabilities, it means that it was pretty fucking clear she was a CF.

OP posts:
GreatDuckCookery6211 · 12/09/2018 10:21

And yet you still don't know the reasons why she parked there. And yes it absolutely DOES mean you're immune to the plight of those with hidden disabilities if you'd do exactly the same thing again.

You're very wrong OP.

Spikeyball · 12/09/2018 10:22

Over something like a p and c parking space I'd rather some people got away with taking the piss than some people with genuine need got upset.

Claw001 · 12/09/2018 10:30

On this occasion you may well have been right OP! Let’s hope your success continues in questioning people who park in P&C, people who sit in priority seats and validation of B.B. holders.

It’s been explained to you the impact it could have on someone with a disability. Just a ‘question’ to you or what could be a deciding factor in whether a disabled person can face leaving the house that day.

Good luck.

Thesnobbymiddleclassone · 12/09/2018 10:37

I've just never seen the point in arguing a p&c space. Disabled yes as they're legally protected, but until there is some sort of consequence for misusing them, then there isn't really a point to it.

Frazzledkate · 12/09/2018 10:40

Good luck?

Passive aggressive much?

Claw001 · 12/09/2018 10:52

More sarcasm, with a hint of contempt frazzled

I’m off shopping now.

Cutesbabasmummy · 12/09/2018 11:50

OP YANBU! If people have a hidden disability then they can use the disabled spaces! That's what they are for.

I actually once parked in a car park where there were several spaces around my car. Came out and the car park was full. I couldn't open the passenger's side door enough to even get in let alone get my son in his car seat. I had to get him in on my side and ask him to sit on the back seat whilst I reversed enough to be able to open the door on the passenger side to get him in.

Maybe if they did put the Parent and Child Spaces at the back of the car park it would solve the problems.

TheWinterofOurDiscountTentsMk2 · 12/09/2018 12:58

OP YANBU! If people have a hidden disability then they can use the disabled spaces! That's what they are for

No they can't, and no it isn't. They can use the P and C spaces and you can feck off.

TheWinterofOurDiscountTentsMk2 · 12/09/2018 13:00

I’m allowed to park there! I can’t believe people can’t see the difference 😂😂

She was "allowed" to park there too, amazed you still can't see there is no difference.

Frazzledkate · 12/09/2018 13:21

Strictly she wasn't. They are spaces designated for parent and child. Hence the title. It's not difficult.

TheWinterofOurDiscountTentsMk2 · 12/09/2018 13:22

She was though, because they are an unpoliced courtesy (in the main) with no sanction. Ergo, anyone can park in them.

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 12/09/2018 13:26

OP YANBU! If people have a hidden disability then they can use the disabled spaces! That's what they are for.

If they have a BB yes they can but only if there's one available. If they don't have a BB ( because we all know how notoriously hard they are to get ) but have a hidden disability then yes they can use the P and C space. And they shouldn't have to explain themselves to fuckwits who challenge them either.

Frazzledkate · 12/09/2018 13:56

There are lots of unpoliced things--stay off the grass, wait your turn, etc etc. Doesn't mean you shouldn't at least try to follow signs. Makes for a pleasant place to live, hey.

Either way, the company that put it there did so for p and c. 'Ergo' you aren't really allowed, no.

See how you can say there's alexcepyions to the rule. Not sure how you can argue there is one. It's says so on the sign!!! Grin

Frazzledkate · 12/09/2018 13:56

Isn't one should be

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 12/09/2018 14:06

Frazzled if a disabled person needs the space for whatever reason they can use it. Or anyone else who needs the space for that matter.

crispysausagerolls · 12/09/2018 14:38

Some one above mentioned that actually some car parks fine those who use the p and c space without children so sometimes it’s not allowed. But even if it’s allowed; she didn’t need it in this specific scenario and therefore was being an arse.

OP posts:
Frazzledkate · 12/09/2018 14:43

Omg!! Read what I'm saying. There are exceptions to the rule and no one is saying disabled people can't use them. There isn't much more to be said really is there, noone is changing their view on anything.

Just last word, point scoring now.

Anyway, I'm too busy. Off to continue my agenda against disabled people WinkGrin

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 12/09/2018 14:47

The point that you're spectacularly missing here OP is that you don't KNOW that she didn't need the space. You're on your high horse and being very indignant that she didn't but at the end of the day you really don't know for sure.

Frazzled so you agree that a disabled person can use a P and C space even though there designed for parents? That's something I guess.

Frazzledkate · 12/09/2018 14:57

That has been my view always, yes. Well done!

I have got to stop taking the bait Grin

TheWinterofOurDiscountTentsMk2 · 12/09/2018 14:58

here are exceptions to the rule and no one is saying disabled people can't use them.

They are saying that actually, perhaps you missed those posts.

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 12/09/2018 14:59

Why are you saying that people need to read the sign then?

Frazzledkate · 12/09/2018 15:12

The implication above was I said that. I didn't. Sorry my wording was as exact as you'd like. I have a life and type quickly Hmm

Anyhoo, whether disabled or not, noone deserves to be hounded (ah, the irony) so this is my last comment on the matter.

AllDayBreakfast · 12/09/2018 15:22

Tbh, I can understand why people take up two spaces. I personally park in a quiet corner when possible but I've had little dents put on my car door so many times.

Most recently was 1.5 weeks after buying a brand new Golf GTI for almost £30k! It boils my piss and it's often kids that do it. I remember when it happened before the mother apologised with a laugh saying "oh, I'm sorry, he didn't mean to." She stopped smiling when I asked for her insurance details.

TheWinterofOurDiscountTentsMk2 · 12/09/2018 15:28

I remember when it happened before the mother apologised with a laugh saying "oh, I'm sorry, he didn't mean to." She stopped smiling when I asked for her insurance details.

I imagine she was thinking that you were a bit mad to be asking her that.