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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:
FairyBunnyAgain · 20/02/2020 17:58

Another day when I wonder about the people who hand around on MN just to find reasons to be nasty.
Well done OP I understand that you feel good about parking and I get it. I am a confident driver who hates to reverse onto our driveway, no posts to hit but for some reason even with a reversing camera I can’t manage it without about 5 attempts.
I can reverse into a parking space and drive anything from a small hatchback to a large van, happily and safely.
Also for those saying get a smaller buggy not a bigger car, I remember back to when my first D.C. was born it wasn’t just the boot space but the practicality of the car that just wasn’t the best and why should me and my child suffer just so some can sit in judgement.

DesLynamsMoustache · 20/02/2020 18:02

I bought a big car because I had to fit in a pram and two medium-sized dogs in the boot, as well as a 6ft 4 husband in the driver/passenger seat and a baby in the back, plus all of our stuff when we travel to visit my parents or on holiday. I don't know why having a bigger car is particularly a 'stealth boast'. It's a Kia FFS, hardly worth boasting about!

Trogga · 20/02/2020 18:07

Stop being goady, Harriethepie.

Well done, OP! One of my friends has a bloody awful awkward drive, I'm so proud every time I reverse the car and park on it. I have literally an inch either side of walls so there's no room for error!

You're fully entitled to feel pleased as punch.

It's mad how we're hearing 'be kind' and yet some are still intent on pulling others down.

Disfordarkchocolate · 20/02/2020 18:07

Well, I'm super impressed. I bit of joy in your day is always to be celebrated. I can't parallel park. If I managed to do it one day I'd be taking a picture and sending it to everyone I know.

Lolodizzyone · 20/02/2020 18:10

Well done lovely! Enjoy your success :) I can't park and totally get your joy at your achievement. Ignore the negative posts, you rock sister! You did it, the only reason my daily steps are high is my inability to park. But it matters not one jot. Well done!

ClientQueen · 20/02/2020 18:18

I can parallel park in seconds
Reverse into a space? Nope!
I haven't done a parallel park for about 2 years (no need to) and did one today and was v proud I remembered Grin

harrietthepie · 20/02/2020 18:25

Stop being goady, Harriethepie.

There's nothing goady about it, it's what parents have to do - I have a car with a tiny boot which won't fit more than two bags of shopping in it so I have to stop at the shop midweek when I drive past. It's what many of us do - accommodate what we can afford in our lives. Even if I had the money I wouldn't buy a larger car, much as I'd like one.

DesLynamsMoustache · 20/02/2020 18:44

So what is actually your objection here? First it was apparently the environment, but now it's about 'accommodating what you can afford' even though the OP obviously can afford it?  You need to decide what you're actually upset about ...

Konicek007 · 20/02/2020 18:45

Just ignore.
I’m fairly newish driver and I drive only once a week from A to B.
When I was taking my lessons I NEVER learnt bay parking as my instructor said there is NO need as the testing centre has no premises to test it.
So I had to learn bay parking all myself- all of it.
On a top of it the car is big and husband very very very fussy.
I do reverse parking every time I can as its easier to drive out of a spot than later to reverse out.
I can not do parallel parking.
I never got it even with having a lessons.
Also in car supermarket carpark, I won’t just park in any old space but only if I can spot 3 spots empty, then I attemp to reverse in.

Kelsoooo · 20/02/2020 18:51

@Konicek007 its actually easier to reverse bay park if you've something on at least one side. Keeps you straight.

Mummyshark2018 · 20/02/2020 18:55

Well done op! I'm a pretty good driver and Parker and yes it does make a difference wrt the size (length and width of car) especially if it's a new one! My dh backed into a concrete post a few months back in an underground car park as he couldn't see it. I got out as I was annoyed and he accidentally reversed into it again! Luckily no damage done and we laughed it off. He's been driving 25 years and never been in an accident so it can happen to anyone 🤪

DevilsAdv0caat · 20/02/2020 21:05

And probably make them even more intolerant of those of us who learnt to drive in the days when cars were smaller and people were less fussy about something as trivial as how a car’s parked.
Gues last what, it’s not the “good old days”. It’s dangerous and irresponsible to park like a twat. Just because you’ve picked up bad habits during your driving life doesn’t mean it gives you carte blanche to park how you like and get pissed off with newer drivers disapproving of your selfish attitude! This is why driving re-testing should be a thing.

DevilsAdv0caat · 20/02/2020 21:05

Guess what*

Alsohuman · 20/02/2020 21:10

Who said anything about selfishly and irresponsibly parking like a twat? The aggression on MN is so bloody wearing sometimes.

DevilsAdv0caat · 20/02/2020 21:17

people were less fussy about something as trivial as how a car’s parked
You’ve said you’re not fussy about how you. Best case that is you taking up 2 spaces in a car park because you can’t manage to park within lines properly (selfish). Worst case, parking on corners, dropped kerbs, opposite junctions etc (inconsiderate, dangerous and twattish).
HTH. No aggression here, it’s your own words but crack on with your “less fussy” parking and I’ll crack on judging idiots who can’t park.

Alsohuman · 20/02/2020 21:24

None of the above. Never parked across two spaces or any of your other examples. Just rubbish at parallel parking and hate reversing but you crack on with your assumptions and irrational anger at a random on the Internet you know nothing about and I’ll carry on parking safely.

Chocolateandchats · 20/02/2020 21:36

Well done OP. I always used to avoid certain spaces because I wasn’t confident getting in or out of them so it’s an achievement when you do. This is probably your turning point when you feel more confident and comfortable. Good for you.
Ignore the bitchy comments, it’s probably the same people who have shared Caroline Flack pictures and posts about happiness.

MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig · 20/02/2020 22:01

Funnily enough my 4x4 is nearly a foot shorter than my old estate car but I find it harder to reverse park because I overcompensate for its length. The times I think I’m straight and then I get out and it’s slightly on the wonk. Probably not noticeable to anyone else but I can see it.

I also once had a lovely old gent come and compliment me for my perfect left hand parallel park. Bless him. I was secretly relieved. Grin

HeronLanyon · 20/02/2020 22:04

Well done op.
Every now and then I do an inch perfect parallel park in tight spot in one go. God it feels good !

EnidButton · 21/02/2020 02:35

I can't drive at all so I'm very impressed amazed! Carry on being proud of yourself and celebrating the little things. It's a much nicer way to live than how the nit-pickers on aibu must be.

LangSpartacusCleg · 21/02/2020 03:10

Congratulations, OP!

I completely understand how you feel. I have been known to photograph particularly wonderful examples of my reverse parking too.

PS - I figured out how to use cruise control for the first time today!

ANuggetOfTheFinestGreen · 21/02/2020 06:58

One of my work colleagues has a company car which has all the parking gadgets, beeping and cameras and all sorts. He needed to move his wife's car off the drive one morning and in his sleepy state he forgot it didn't have proximity alerts and reversed it straight into a wall...

OP, I wouldn't worry, I got a new and much bigger car and promptly bumped it on the bins, then scraped the driveway gate.

PhoneLock · 21/02/2020 07:32

I love nothing more than reversing into a tight spot and getting it spot on, especially when there is an audience

My best one was reversing a trailer off a narrow street and then down an even narrower alley between two rows of terraced houses. A group of workmen had assembled to (presumably) watch me mess it up. I didn't.

My husband once perfectly parallel parked with a big trailer attached in a really tight space in a busy town centre. He seemed disappointed when he didn't get a round of applause from passers by

SushiGo · 21/02/2020 07:35

I feel your pride! I have a big car, and getting through narrow gaps is such a skill.

Not long after I passed my test my driving instructor happened to be driving by while I reverse parked into a supermarket bay. Got a thumbs up from her and was super proud :D

There is a notoriously 'dangerous' junction near my home that has it's own Facebook group. Members post their dashcam footage on the group when someone gets it wrong. Inevitably at the end if last year someone angrily posted a video about how someone had cut them up blah blah only to get responses from people saying... "I can't see what other driver did wrong, why did you do X, X is wrong?" The poster clearly had no idea that they were driving incorrectly but were happy to try and Shane other drivers online. I always think of this when I see perfect drivers berating people in the internet now.

Those of us who are aware we find something difficult and work on it are 100% better drivers than those merrily barging around assuming they are right all the time.

PhoneLock · 21/02/2020 07:40

Never had an accident myself, caused hundreds though.