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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be proud of my parking

177 replies

amazedmummy · 20/02/2020 15:11

So I have a new car that is much much bigger than my old car. I had it an hour before I reversed into a lamppost. Today I managed to reverse it into my drive! It had gates and it's fairly narrow and I'm so so proud of myself. I'm not proud of myself for much these days but I was so happy I took a picture and sent it to my family!

OP posts:
dancebabydance · 20/02/2020 15:31

As someone who has been driving for less than a year, I am still not a confident at parking. I have done some tight spots reversing and forward but I avoid where I can.

A women I work with has been driving for 40 years and won't drive to work because she won't park in the car park at work.

Another women I work with will only driving if she doesn't have to turn right. She found a way to work where she doesn't have to turn right and it's around 15 minutes longer than a route she can take.

Andtwomakesix · 20/02/2020 15:33

I can't reverse park easily so I applaud you. We've just bought a little minibus and I'm yet to drive it on my own or take it anywhere I need to park. I can drive well but it doesn't mean I'm confident parking.

Abraid2 · 20/02/2020 15:34

Once you get over the mental leap, it really is easier to reverse park. The mirrors help you a lot and the fact that so many cars are front wheel drives, somehow makes it easier to go backwards. And it is so much safer in most instances.

FourDecades · 20/02/2020 15:35

I can reverse park really well into a space etc...

But l can not, for love or money drive into a space. I always think I'm going to take my front off.

DontTouchTheMoustache · 20/02/2020 15:35

Wow some people really go out of their way to be unpleasant 😬
Well done OP, having a different car is a big adjustment for many people and just because someone isnt immediately confident at driving it does not mean they are a danger on the roads 🙄
I am more worried about arrogant drivers than those who lack confidence as at least the latter take their time and drive carefuly.

ButterflyBitch · 20/02/2020 15:35

I couldn’t parallel park to save my life when I passed my test. I even had refresher lessons with my driving instructor several years after passing my test. Now after a long time I can parallel park with confidence and yes I do still give myself a pat on the back sometimes if it’s particularly tricky. Some things take longer to get good at that’s all. Just keep practicing and you’ll be fine. Obviously everyone else on the road is a perfect driver according to Mumsnet (ha!!) 🙄

Goldwispa · 20/02/2020 15:37

Well done. I'm rubbish at parking so when I get in an awkward space I'm proud of myself so I know where you're coming from

potter5 · 20/02/2020 15:37

I can reverse into a space but only if I am reversing into a left hand space. Does that make sense, so I turn the wheel round to the left.
Is it because I am left handed do you think.

If I have to turn the wheel to the right to reverse it takes me about 30 attempts!! Weird Grin

Rottenmilkcup · 20/02/2020 15:38

I just passed my test yesterday first fourth time and had to start off with a reverse park which almost reduced me to tears and I very very nearly asked to to quit the test. So reverse parking is not something I ever want to think about doing again so that sounds like something to be proud of to me Grin

Fruityb · 20/02/2020 15:38

I’ll say well done. I hated reversing my old car but find my current one dead easy. I hated driving my husbands old car which was an estate. As much as moving the things never changes in principle, your confidence can change massively. I am very happy in my car but not anyone else’s.

So well done. And some people just like to be tits it seems!

picklesdragonisawelshdragon · 20/02/2020 15:40

Amazedmummy I love the detail of your post- mum blocking you in etc, you are clearly MN experienced despite the faux pas of posting in AIBU while happy! Grin

All we need now is a map. Of the drive. And the lamppost. And the route between the lamppost and home.

Juliette20 · 20/02/2020 15:41

Well done, OP. I have been driving 25 years but it took me a lot longer after passing my test to become really confident at parking and reversing, and I have gone into a post or two in my time.

BigFatLiar · 20/02/2020 15:42

You're not Mrs B are you? Grin

Well done anyway. I know lots have come on saying you should have been able to park anyway but when you're a bit hesitant a little boost does no harm at all.

PuppyMonkey · 20/02/2020 15:42

I can reverse very well into a parking space to the left but I always really struggle reversing to the right, so have a big well done from me.Grin

cultkid · 20/02/2020 15:43

Well done I do understand the anxiety
Not sure the other posts are helpful
Dip your mirrors to check your width on the drive

YesThatsATurdOnTheRug · 20/02/2020 15:45

A lot of the muscle movements and thought processes are undertaken by your subconscious mind when you have learned to drive. When you change car you have to move some of these back to your conscious mind for a while to get used to the new feel, size etc.

Completely normal to find parking more tricky at first as your mind is trying to default to your old car.

Original poster
amazedmummy · 20/02/2020 15:46

@picklesdragonisawelshdragon well it was only a matter of time before I was accused of inconveniencing every other driver on my street by parking in their way somehow. I did consider a diagram as I mentioned the word parking several times and I do know the rules.

OP posts:
picklesdragonisawelshdragon · 20/02/2020 15:47

I've had very few scrapes in 30 years of driving.

Mine always happened when pregnant or with an injured back.

picklesdragonisawelshdragon · 20/02/2020 15:47
Grin
Walnutwhipster · 20/02/2020 15:47

I'm crap at parking, always have been. My car parks itself, problem solved. Grin

Original poster
amazedmummy · 20/02/2020 15:48

@Walnutwhipster that sounds like the dream.

OP posts:
dognamedspot · 20/02/2020 15:49

You'll be fine now Op, stay positive. Grin

I've been driving for 30 years, many miles in a year, and never, not once, has a patronising person offered to direct me or "see me in". Where do these people come from? Are they responding to some hesitant behaviour from the drivers?

Mummyoflittledragon · 20/02/2020 15:51

Reverse parking is a lot harder than reversing round the corner, which is what I had to do for my test. It took me a while to learn to parallel park. Once I got it, I can cram my car into really tight spots. I actually find it easier when there’s not much space. I’m glad you’re feeling more confident. You can learn a lot from observing others. So keep going.

Spodge · 20/02/2020 15:51

Well done, OP. Hubby's car parallel parks itself but I have never dared to ask it to do so. Which means I never drive it in case I have to parallel park.

HopeYouStepOnALego · 20/02/2020 15:52

Well done with your reverse parking OP. I've never reversed on to my own drive because it's very narrow and I'm on a main road, so no one slows down to give you a minute to line up.

And yeah, AIBU was totally the wrong place to post this. People have already forgotten the "If you can be anything, be nice" slogan that was being batted around a few days ago!