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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Parent from the school opposite parking on my drive

387 replies

LemonJelly76 · 10/12/2021 00:34

I'm not letting on my actual opinion on this, but I am curious to know what others think.

I live opposite a primary school. I knew the school was there when I bought the house. Most days my car is not on my drive because I am at work, but I have on a couple of occasions come home to find a car there.
I haven't approached the parent on these occasions and have just parked elsewhere until they leave

This parent regularly uses the drive (must assume I'm not in) for 10-15 mins each morning and afternoon. There is usually other parking available, but further away

Driveway is a shared drive for 4 cars, I own one of the spaces and there is a Private Parking sign up across all four spaces which was there before I moved in.

YABU - it's fine because you're not using it most of the time
YANBU - they're CFs

OP posts:
Topseyt · 10/12/2021 10:23

Of course they are cheeky fuckers. Of course you should tell them not to park there. Where will it end otherwise?

They are trespassing on your property. You are being too passive about it. Put notes on the windscreen. Inform the school too. Ours used to tackle parents who pulled this sort of stunt.

MaHBroon · 10/12/2021 10:25

@nettie434

There are apps like Just Park which enable people to rent out their parking spaces so you could do this if you wanted.

However, I wouldn't come to an arrangement with this person as they've already shown they are a CF and I'd be worried that they wouldn't pay or would try to use the space at inconvenient times.

I agree.

This person doesn’t play fair. I think it would be a case of given and inch and taking a mile.

mykiki · 10/12/2021 10:25

And to be fair it would be fine if she'd have asked or offered to pay monthly for it, for a genuine reason.. but no, she's just assumed she's entitled to park on someone else's property!? It's about principals OP. Cheeky fucker indeed

nomoneytreehere · 10/12/2021 10:26

Does it really matter? Honestly life is short. Unless it actually inconveniencing you (then of course you say something) why get stressed over this. I think your dad has the right idea to be honest. It's a bit like reacting to someone else's bad driving, in the end it's just your own day that gets ruined.

Ps I don't park on other peoples driveways as I leave in enough time so I don't have to but I also acknowledge other people have stuff going on that means they can't be as perfect as me!getting stressed over cf behaviour actually just ruins your own day.

EmbarrassingHadrosaurus · 10/12/2021 10:27

As PPs say, unless you're renting them a space through that driveway scheme…

Mummyoflittledragon · 10/12/2021 10:33

You could as others have said put a sign up that parking in this space is liable to x charge. You have your doorbell camera after all. It definitely this needs addressing as the longer it goes on, the more she will feel entitled to park on your drive.

tallduckandhandsome · 10/12/2021 10:33

@nomoneytreehere

Does it really matter? Honestly life is short. Unless it actually inconveniencing you (then of course you say something) why get stressed over this. I think your dad has the right idea to be honest. It's a bit like reacting to someone else's bad driving, in the end it's just your own day that gets ruined.

Ps I don't park on other peoples driveways as I leave in enough time so I don't have to but I also acknowledge other people have stuff going on that means they can't be as perfect as me!getting stressed over cf behaviour actually just ruins your own day.

Yes, letting people have unfettered access to your property is a seriously bad idea.

It's weird that you see yourself as perfect.

MaHBroon · 10/12/2021 10:35

@Saoirsesersha

I’d be livid
Honestly. It’s not anything to be livid about. That’s for other things..
Pascal80 · 10/12/2021 10:36

No one should park in your drive without your express permission. I can't believe people are this awful (actually I can).

Flowertailbird · 10/12/2021 10:37

This is such a weird question OP that it sounds almost as if you are the one parking the car in someone else's drive. I don't buy the Dad story.

Flowertailbird · 10/12/2021 10:38

@nomoneytreehere

Does it really matter? Honestly life is short. Unless it actually inconveniencing you (then of course you say something) why get stressed over this. I think your dad has the right idea to be honest. It's a bit like reacting to someone else's bad driving, in the end it's just your own day that gets ruined.

Ps I don't park on other peoples driveways as I leave in enough time so I don't have to but I also acknowledge other people have stuff going on that means they can't be as perfect as me!getting stressed over cf behaviour actually just ruins your own day.

errr, yes. Yes it does matter.
PatriotCanes · 10/12/2021 10:40

CatalogueShopper Oh that is glorious.

HoppingPavlova · 10/12/2021 10:43

Huh! My toilet was often free for the day (pre Covid and wfh). Does that mean it would have been okay for people to wander into my house, shit in it and wander out when they are ready? After all, we weren’t used it at the time.

Do you see how stupid that sounds? Parking in your drive is no different. Why you haven’t confronted the CF is beyond imagining.

KirstenBlest · 10/12/2021 10:44

Just block them in

HoppingPavlova · 10/12/2021 10:45

I also suspect your dad is a CF that goes around parking willy nilly in other peoples drives and uses this bullshit theory of his as an excuse.

tallduckandhandsome · 10/12/2021 10:47

Huh! My toilet was often free for the day (pre Covid and wfh). Does that mean it would have been okay for people to wander into my house, shit in it and wander out when they are ready? After all, we weren’t used it at the time.

Oh come on #be kind, life is honestly too short 😂

What’s a few skid marks in the grand scheme of things, on a driveway or on a toilet Grin

Akire · 10/12/2021 10:48

We have this in our communal carpark entrance. There are shutters but they park in front so no one can get in and out! Some people have some serious brass neck.

Some days a car will park across the entrance another car will come along and beep at them to say move they want entry. Then that car isn’t a resident and just parking nose to the shutter! I’m tempted make big signs and attach

Allergictoironing · 10/12/2021 10:50

@nomoneytreehere

Does it really matter? Honestly life is short. Unless it actually inconveniencing you (then of course you say something) why get stressed over this. I think your dad has the right idea to be honest. It's a bit like reacting to someone else's bad driving, in the end it's just your own day that gets ruined.

Ps I don't park on other peoples driveways as I leave in enough time so I don't have to but I also acknowledge other people have stuff going on that means they can't be as perfect as me!getting stressed over cf behaviour actually just ruins your own day.

Unless it's actually inconveniencing you - well it is clear from the OP that it IS inconveniencing her, she has had to park elsewhere on a number of occasions.

And other people's bad driving will often get me riled up too, because half the time they are affecting me, or putting people in danger.

WildfirePonie · 10/12/2021 10:51

I'd block them in on Friday and not move till Monday.

Inertia · 10/12/2021 11:00

@LemonJelly76 has your dad got any money in his bank account he's not using at the moment? Can I borrow it? I won't do any harm.

You're paying extra to live in a house with parking. It's not harmless if you can't use your own property.

penguinwithasuitcase · 10/12/2021 11:04

@Pascal80

No one should park in your drive without your express permission. I can't believe people are this awful (actually I can).
"This awful?"

😂

You should come spend a day where I grew up.

tearinghairout · 10/12/2021 11:05

IDK why people are being so horrible to you, OP. I think the solution is to charge her - let her 'rent' your driveway for, say, £15 per term. That way you won't feel selfish or that you're being taken for a fool. You could just write the note, say it's private property, you've seen her on the camera, and ask her to put the money through the door.

HelloGoodbye20 · 10/12/2021 11:06

This reply has been deleted

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GremlinDolphin4 · 10/12/2021 11:12

Complete CFs!

dannydyerismydad · 10/12/2021 11:12

I wish parents like this knew how much time and energy school offices waste dealing with irate neighbours, parking wardens and police. All because a minority think they and their child should never be inconvenienced.

Block her in. Pour a large glass. She won't do it again.