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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

To have a word? (Parent and child parking).

325 replies

OptimisticIntrovert · 21/12/2018 13:15

I've just pulled into a parent and child space (with my baby who is sleeping so waiting for him to wake up before i go into the supermarket).

A woman pulled into the space next to me- no kids in the car- and went in to the shop. She's not back yet.

AIBU to accost her when she comes back and tell her that it's not fair?

Most answers wins!

OP posts:
crumble82 · 21/12/2018 13:17

It’s always tempting but probably not worth it. I usually settle for a cold stare!

MardyArabella · 21/12/2018 13:17

How long are you planning on occupying a space for whilst you wait for your baby to wake up?

Original poster
OptimisticIntrovert · 21/12/2018 13:17

Thought I might politely explain why the spaces exist...

OP posts:
Hwory · 21/12/2018 13:18

So it’s not okay for her to use the spot to go in and come out before your baby has used it as a nap spot?

Interesting logic.

TitusAndromedom · 21/12/2018 13:19

You’re sitting in a parent and child spot while your child is sleeping, probably using the space for longer than she is. You haven’t got a leg to stand on.

WhyDontYouComeOnOver · 21/12/2018 13:19

How do you know she isn't disabled?

ShatnersWig · 21/12/2018 13:19

How do you know her partner isn't already in there with a baby?

Buggeroffbingbunny · 21/12/2018 13:19

Get out of the space yourself if your baby is asleep and you are just sat in the car! You have no need for it right now.

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 21/12/2018 13:20

Why bother? It's not going to make either of you happier! Just let it go.

Theunreasonableone · 21/12/2018 13:20

Really OP? There are many, many other things to get wound up about

Avrannakern · 21/12/2018 13:20

Supermarkets will be busy today. You shouldn't be sitting in the parent and child spaces for any longer than necessary to actually shop. So, for today, you sort of not much better than her.

Side fun - my friend was getting out of her car with her kids in the parent and child parking when I man came and unlocked the car next to her. He opened the back doors, but didn't have a child on him. She shouted at him with a sarcastic "where are your kids then... this isn't for you" and he said "they're just back there with my wife...". His wife and kids were coming along the path; he'd gone ahead to open the door! She was quite red faced when telling us.

SushiMonster · 21/12/2018 13:21

Why didn’t you park further away and wait for the baby’s to wake up? You’re hogging the space! As least the woman is actually shopping.

Original poster
OptimisticIntrovert · 21/12/2018 13:21

As a parent with a child, I use the parent and child space so that when I get him out of the car (within the next few minutes) I will be able to actually due so due to the extra space available to me in the allotted parent and child space.

OP posts:
teachergirl2011 · 21/12/2018 13:22

Nope. Are you the parking Police? They are not enforceable!

southnownorth · 21/12/2018 13:22

No don't say anything. Tesco was horrendous earlier, it was everyman for himself.

TheRhythmessCarolMan · 21/12/2018 13:22

Me too OP. Maybe I should have gone somewhere else why I waited.

TheRhythmessCarolMan · 21/12/2018 13:22

*while

SauvingnonBlanketyBlanc · 21/12/2018 13:23

If she had taken the parking spot and there wasn't a spare one for you then fair enough to say something but if that not the case it's not worth it and not your business

feelliketomhanks · 21/12/2018 13:23

How do you know she isn't picking up a baby?

How do you know she doesn't have a hidden disability?

Why didn't you park in an ordinary space whilst your baby napped? You are depriving someone else who might need the space whilst you sit in the car.

Theunreasonableone · 21/12/2018 13:24

OP I think you have a misguided sense of entitlement over parent and child spaces. Yes, supermarkets put them there for the convenience of parents and children but there is nothing legally binding about them. Anyone can park in one and, although pretty selfish, non parents aren’t actually doing anything wrong. Seriously just let it go.

dementedpixie · 21/12/2018 13:24

It's a parking space for using while shopping, not a napping space!

WhoTookTheChristmasCookie · 21/12/2018 13:24

This close to Christmas? I probably wouldn't say anything.
Turkeys are heavy, I wouldn't fancy one being thrown at my head in the pre-festive shopping angst.

Settle for the cold stare and let it go, it's annoying but those spaces rely on goodwill and nothing else.
She's a twat for parking there without a child but it's not enforceable.

Original poster
OptimisticIntrovert · 21/12/2018 13:26

Lol love it... only on here would people argue that a woman with no kids has more right to the space than one with none...

Anyway I bet I'm not alone in feeling the frustration of not being able to find a designated space. But lesson learned.

I'm in the shop now you'll all be pleased to know, was in the space with a sleeping baby for all of 4 minutes.

Merry Christmas one and all!

OP posts:
JustABetterPlayer · 21/12/2018 13:27

Depends where you live really, where I am an irate response might be to call me a pillock whereas in others being stabbed might be a possibility.

There’s always a chance you’re going to start an argument with a ‘crazy’ so I’d leave it.

HopeGarden · 21/12/2018 13:27

I’d leave it.

And TBH, if you’re just sitting there while your baby naps, you could argue that you don’t really need the space either.