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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to get annoyed about people parking in parent/baby spaces

184 replies

Mummyto2munchkins · 25/01/2019 17:11

So went shopping today. A woman parked her car in a parent and baby space but left both kids and her mum in the car with the car running..
I shook my head as it annoyed me.

She stopped the car and opened the back door showing her kids saying "if you wanna get lairy my kids are in the car"

We explained that the parking spaces are for parents with kids in the car to get the kids out.. She then said that both kids were in the car. We said also with your mum in the car too.

She then said "he didn't want to go in, what do you want me to do drag them out" we responded with "no just park in a Normal space"

AIBU to think she's out of order, and the spaces are for kids getting out of the car as you're needing extra space to get them in/out? Or am I completely missing something here?

OP posts:
cravingmilkshake · 25/01/2019 17:52

What about if it were a pregnant lady getting in and out of a parent and child space? Would that be an issue then?

I am 15 weeks pregnant and already a fair bump/ I was parked at work today and the bays aren't huge/m and I wondered how I am going to get out of the spaces in a few months time.

Will I get a head shake or a telling off for parking in a space with a bigger line?

Original poster
Mummyto2munchkins · 25/01/2019 17:53

Can I point out I never actually started anything we was driving when she stopped the car to block us in to have ago at us...

OP posts:
Plasticgiraffe · 25/01/2019 17:54

Agree with you YANBU but for some reason on mumsnet even though you're a parent you're not allowed to moan about other people using spaces meant for parents with young children 🙄. I saw two older and I assume disabled drivers taking the last of the parent and child spaces today. There were 5 empty disabled spaces free. Yes they can legally park anywhere including p&c spaces and p&c spaces are only a nice thing to have but come on just use your own spaces. I'd never say anything either as I'm a wimp but being 6 months pregnant with a wriggly toddler it really annoys me

SilverySurfer · 25/01/2019 18:03

When I had a car and blue badge, if a disabled space was not available or a P&C space was nearer to the entrance, I would park there without a second thought. Your choice to have a child, not my choice to be physically disabled.

YABU but I assume you are new to MN or you would be aware of the countless threads on the subject, going back years.

ParadiseLaundry · 25/01/2019 18:06

In every other aspect mumsnet are sticklers for the rules.

Tesco has accidentally delivered a Freddo bar and not charged you? Get on the phone to them with your your credit card!

You found a five pound note in the street with no sign of anyone about? Take it to the nearest police station.

A twenty five year old fully able bodied man parks in a P&C space you were waiting for and you're eight months pregnant with 11 month old triplets in the car? Tough luck, they're not a legal right, they didn't have them 20 years ago and it was your choice to have kids.

Like them or not they are provided by big shops as a convenience to parents who spend a lot of money in stores. The rule is they are to be used by parents.

WitchesWeb · 25/01/2019 18:09

I saw two older and I assume disabled drivers taking the last of the parent and child spaces today. There were 5 empty disabled spaces free.

Which was closer to the store?

PurpleDaisies · 25/01/2019 18:10

I saw two older and I assume disabled drivers taking the last of the parent and child spaces today. There were 5 empty disabled spaces free

You know not all disabled people have blue badges? Hmm

Nothisispatrick · 25/01/2019 18:11

I get irritated when I see people use them incorrectly, but at the same time I have a fairly chunky car seat and can get dd in and out of the car in a normal spot so it doesn’t impact my life hugely. I did use them when I was heavily pregnant though, I had much more difficulty getting in and out of the car then than I do now.

PurpleDaisies · 25/01/2019 18:12

Yes they can legally park anywhere including p&c spaces and p&c spaces are only a nice thing to have but come on just use your own spaces

It takes a very special type of person to be pissed off with disabled people parking wherever is easiest for them.

ILoveMaxiBondi · 25/01/2019 18:20

When people are taking about getting car seats in and out, are they talking about the infant carriers with the handle? The ones that go up to about 9 months old? Do the really vary that much in size that some are “chunky”?

Nothisispatrick · 25/01/2019 18:38

Yes, mine is heavy and chunky, it has a very large base. But as I said I still manage to get it in and out without hassle.

ILoveMaxiBondi · 25/01/2019 18:43

But you don’t take the base out of the car when. You go into ASDA! Grin

ILoveMaxiBondi · 25/01/2019 18:43

I’ve seen loads of these seats (and used a few myself) and they all seem pretty much the same size.

Nothisispatrick · 25/01/2019 18:47

I mean the base of the seat, then it clips into the car seat base. Jeez is it that hard? I’ll take a bloody picture next time I’m at the car!

The bit under the seat that dd is in is big and heavy. The bit that comes with her when I get the car seat out.

myhamsteratefreddiestarr · 25/01/2019 18:51

YANBU OP, the whole point of the spaces is that it is easier to get a child out, or that it is closer to the store if they are walking. If the kids aren't getting out of the car, then she should have parked in a normal space. The signs usually make it quite clear. She was wrong and she knew it if she reacted so aggressively towards you.

The same applies to disabled people. My mum has a badge, but if she isn't getting out of the vehicle then we use a normal space as we don't need the disabled one.

Nothisispatrick · 25/01/2019 18:51

Right I’m too neurotic to leave it, I can’t stand that someone would think i would lie about a blooming car seat! Pics attached. Mine is the chicco, the big black bit that clips into the base is absolutely solid. The maxi cosy is maybe a more common one that looks much lighter and lots of people have.

AIBU to get annoyed about people parking in parent/baby spaces
AIBU to get annoyed about people parking in parent/baby spaces
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 25/01/2019 18:51

PurpleDaisies, you're much more polite than me. I was thinking it takes an absolute knob to be pissed off with disabled people parking wherever is easiest for them.

DM was partially sighted and struggled to walk but didn't qualify for a blue badge. I think her need for a parking space close to the shop was much greater than an able bodied person with kids.

Plasticgiraffe · 25/01/2019 18:52

It takes a very special type of person to be pissed off with disabled people parking wherever is easiest for them.

Yes I am that person that gets annoyed when there is a disabled space available next to a parent and child space and they take the parent and child space Hmm. I've already said I know they can take any space available but when there's one p&c space and lots of disabled spaces free next to it it's common sense surely

PurpleDaisies · 25/01/2019 18:53

And you know they had a badge how?

pandechocolate · 25/01/2019 18:53

Did it really impact you that much to post about it?

I got a head shake the other day because I parked in a p and c space. I am 5 months pregnant with SPD. My coat was done up so they couldn't see.

People feel the need to get really involved the p and c spaces. They are not enforceable at all and shops do not need to put them there anyway, they just do.

ILoveMaxiBondi · 25/01/2019 18:54

Flipping hell. Calm down Patrick! It doesn’t look that big to me either tbh.

pandechocolate · 25/01/2019 18:55

Yes I am that person that gets annoyed when there is a disabled space available next to a parent and child space and they take the parent and child space

You know got everyone with a disability qualifies for a blue badge, right?

pandechocolate · 25/01/2019 18:55

Meant not instead of got

DeadCertain · 25/01/2019 18:56

Yes I am that person that gets annoyed when there is a disabled space available next to a parent and child space and they take the parent and child space hmm. I've already said I know they can take any space available but when there's one p&c space and lots of disabled spaces free next to it it's common sense surely. You can be temporarily disabled meaning that you don't have a blue badge as I was.

Plasticgiraffe · 25/01/2019 18:58

Yes if you read my post I've no idea if they were disabled or had badges and have no problem with them using the (five available) disabled spaces which were empty, next to the only p&c space. They were pensioners. My point is that all of the disabled spaces next to the p&c space were free. All spaces were outside the shop and all had equally good access to the shop.