Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Imissgmichael · 21/12/2018 20:53

But Persephone you didn’t just call her out though did you, you stalked her which is very, very creepy.

CatulusLady78 · 21/12/2018 20:59

I once parked in parent and child when unaccompanied by children. I didn't realise what I'd done until I came back out, and was duly mortified. 99 times out of 100 I park there with DC in tow so parking in that spot evidently became a habit Blush Blush

Livelovebehappy · 21/12/2018 21:03

How can you deem yourself disabled, yet not qualify for a blue badge? Surely it’s black and white; you either have a disability or you don’t?

Sparklingbrook · 21/12/2018 21:03

I can never understand how people rushing about at the shops with babies and toddlers have time to police all the parking. Confused

ncasouting · 21/12/2018 21:10

livelove

I’m disabled.

I have a neck issues - cervical degeneration. Ankylosing spondylitis as well . Bulging discs in my back which I’m waiting for surgery for. I am also waiting for a knee replacement I’m trying to put off and I’m currently limping because of a very bad break to the other foot I’m waiting to get a screw in. I also have sciatica due to the discs in my back being daffied and nerve damage and rotator cuff injury to my shoulder that means I have limited grip and problems with my left hand.

I limp. A lot. Obviously. I can’t walk far. I can’t sit for long periods. I don’t sleep well and I am in pain most of the time.

I don’t qualify for a blue badge.

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 21/12/2018 21:13

How can you deem yourself disabled, yet not qualify for a blue badge? Surely it’s black and white; you either have a disability or you don’t?

Hmm there are all sorts of disabilities, and the criteria for blue badges are very restrictive. If you don't qualify for disability benefits then it can be very hard to get a blue badge, and I'm sure you are aware of the ridiculous struggles people have to qualify for disability benefits under the current system.

I have terminal cancer. I can barely walk so need a wheelchair to travel any distance. I use oxygen. But it still took two months for me to be awarded PIP (despite a certificate saying I'm terminally ill) so I haven't been approved for a blue badge yet.

Sparklingbrook · 21/12/2018 21:18

Livelovebehappy it doesn't work like that. It is very very difficult to get a Blue Badge.

Persephone70 · 21/12/2018 21:19

Imissgmichael - you obviously wish to make my behaviour sound unreasonable by useing such words as ‘stalker’ and calling me creepy. I took the same route around the store as her because she muttered, huffed and glared at me, when she was in the wrong. I did not stalk, I am not creepy and (perhaps due to a lack of egg nog), this is boring me. So, Merry Christmas! 😊

sharke · 21/12/2018 21:20

How can you deem yourself disabled, yet not qualify for a blue badge? Surely it’s black and white; you either have a disability or you don’t?

^ 🙄

Persephone70 · 21/12/2018 21:20

*using not useing!

hazeyjane · 21/12/2018 21:24

People on here thpugh will try and tell you that everyone who does this has an invisible disability and they obviously need the space more than you.

No they won't.

People that take it upon themselves to police p&c spaces, following them and 'calling them out', are dicks.

Fluffyears · 21/12/2018 21:29

If someone told me where I can and can’t park i’d tell them where to go. My reasons for parking where I do are my business that I will not be discussing with a stranger. I don’t have to answer to some random Oma cat park!

Fluffyears · 21/12/2018 21:29

Oops car park but a cat park is awesome.

Sparklingbrook · 21/12/2018 21:35

I would quite happily police a cat park TBF.

PurpleDaisies · 21/12/2018 21:37

How can you deem yourself disabled, yet not qualify for a blue badge? Surely it’s black and white; you either have a disability or you don’t?

You are totally clueless. It’s really hard to get a blue badge. Plenty of people with significant mobility issues don’t qualify for blue badges. It’s in no way black and white.

MrsStrowman · 21/12/2018 21:40

The only need for P&C spaces is with a baby in a car seat and very narrow normal spaces. Our local Aldi had the trollies the car seats strap onto and the car park is really tight, there's no way I can get the car seat in and out in a normal space with a car either side. The P&C spaces are invariably taken up by people with teenagers who frankly should know how to cross a car park or people with no children at all, there are four P&C spaces and nine blue badge, half of which are often empty, is have no issue with a blue badge holder using one of there were no accessible spaces free.

Fluffyears · 21/12/2018 21:42

@sparklingbrook me too or a puppy park.

PositivelyPERF · 21/12/2018 21:44

How can you deem yourself disabled, yet not qualify for a blue badge? Surely it’s black and white; you either have a disability or you don’t?

Oh bollocks! That’s me told. I’ll just send my youngest to Tesco tomorrow, by herself. Of course she can’t count mo at, cross the road by herself, has fits, is vulnerable to abuse, but obviously she’s not disabled. FFS!

Sparklingbrook · 21/12/2018 21:44

Grin Fluffy.

Perhaps there should be Parent & Cat spaces. Sparklingcat wouldn't stand for any messing about.

Bluelady · 21/12/2018 21:46

I wish to God they'd just get rid of them.

ncasouting · 21/12/2018 21:46

My son is partially deaf. He calls himself disabled. He is disabled.

He will never get a blue badge.

FrancisCrawford · 21/12/2018 21:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

twiglet · 21/12/2018 21:53

I got DH to park in a parent and child space (at about 8 in the evening) a woman confronted him before she clocked that I'm heavily pregnant. DH explained that I'm heavily pregnant, have pelvic girdle pain so struggle with getting in/out of cars and walking too much.....
She huffed and got her approx 8 year old out Hmm

I'm all for parent and child spaces but they are close to the doors and sometimes there is genuine reasons why others use them. Yes there are some inconsiderate lazy people too but it's difficult to tell!

Persephone70 · 21/12/2018 21:54

Awwww, hazeyjane, how lovely of you to call me a ‘dick’ 🤗. Positively charming. I am afraid I don’t deal in gutter chat, but thanks for taking the time to (surreptitiously) make a mention of me 😘

bourbonbiccy · 21/12/2018 22:00

I have actually said to people " oh i think they are parent and kid spaces " each person has just gone red and walked off.

I suppose I have been brought up to have manners and consideration. I would never park in a space that has clearly been marked out to make someone else's life that little bit easier. The law or enforcement doesn't come into to it for me, it's just common decency. There are sadly far too many selfish people out there.

If you feel strongly about it, yeah say something, but be prepared to apologise and be embarrassed if children appear