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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think parents idling their cars outside nursery are selfish?

126 replies

Anon778833 · 25/01/2022 18:05

Every time I pick my 2 year old up from nursery at midday, there are several parents all sitting outside idling their cars for 10 minutes before they pick their child up.

I think this is incredibly selfish and is not good for the environment, the health of the kids or the adults working inside.

I am thinking of mentioning it to the nursery because they are parked in their private car park. IABU?

OP posts:
waterlego · 25/01/2022 19:49

@Morechocmorechoc

Sometimes I arrive and genuinely forget. Some people will forget sometimes. Sometimes I have to give the car a burst of heat as my kid can't breathe if it's too cold. Some people have arthritis and can't deal with the cold. When it's 1 outside it takes about 2 mins for car to get cold. I agree if no medical issue then turn it off, esp around young kids. Sometimes it's necessary.
You might think it is sometimes necessary but it’s illegal, so…
Sirzy · 25/01/2022 19:52

It doesn’t get any better as they get older either.

There are two secondary schools on the site of DS school. I dropped him back after an appointment today just over an hour before the other school finishes and already there was a row of parents sat waiting most of them with their engines on.

FoamBurst · 25/01/2022 19:55

I occasionally do because youngest ds will not keep a blanket or anything on and screams non stop when he's cold so i sometimes keep the heaters on.
Also he has a meltdown to get out the car as soon as engine off.
I get there 10 min, minimum early otherwise we can't park. Its on a very busy road so he won't stand and wait long safely
We have to take car. Its 3.4miles to there from home. 3 main roads 1 dual carriage way.

So for my sanity I sometimes leave engine running. Yes it's selfish but once ds is in that mood screaming he wouldn't stop and therefore is off putting when I go to drive home.

If I don't have him with me. I don't leave it running

FoamBurst · 25/01/2022 19:56

It's only illegal on a public road I believe happy to be corrected.

daimbarsatemydogsbone · 25/01/2022 19:59

Last time we had one of these threads someone turned up and said their hybrid Toyota needed to idle sometimes to charge the battery

changingstages · 25/01/2022 20:01

absolutely no reason to do this. If you're cold, get out your car and go for a walk, or arrive later, or wear a jumper or some thermals.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 25/01/2022 20:03

@Aderyn21

They might need to keep he heating on
No, they don't NEED to. They WANT to, but unfortunately a lot of people can't differentiate between the two.
waterlego · 25/01/2022 20:06

@FoamBurst

It's only illegal on a public road I believe happy to be corrected.
That’s correct. The circumstances described here in which parents are sitting with engines idling outside schools will usually be on public roads, I imagine.
Whatthefuck3456 · 25/01/2022 20:08

I would and still will choose the warm car over a hot flask or an extra jacket. I always make sure I get there 30 mins early to get a space. People always find something to moan about!

Tripptrott · 25/01/2022 20:11

What type of nursery is it? If it is a maintained nursery then you should write to the head teacher and copy to the Chair of Governors and governor i/c Health and Safety.

Don’t be discouraged by the legal / illegal issue or whether the drivers have arthritis. The nursery should take the lead in asking parents not to do it.

Itsnotover · 25/01/2022 20:17

@BellatricksStrange

YABU. Nothing will happen to anyone from a few car fumes. The issues are massively overstated in order to be able to apply more green taxes.

Unfortunately, you are wrong;

Idling increases the amount of exhaust fumes in the air.
These fumes contain a number of harmful gasses including carbon dioxide, which is bad for the environment and contributes towards climate change, as well as a range of other harmful gasses including nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons which are linked to asthma and other lung diseases. Diesel vehicles are thought to be one of the biggest contributors to the problem.

waterlego · 25/01/2022 20:17

@Whatthefuck3456

People always find something to moan about

Yes, how dare people voice legitimate concerns over carbon emissions and safe air quality for children and school workers?

shouldistop · 25/01/2022 20:18

@Triphazards

I'd do it if I was cold.
Wear more clothes
Itsnotover · 25/01/2022 20:19

@Whatthefuck3456

I would and still will choose the warm car over a hot flask or an extra jacket. I always make sure I get there 30 mins early to get a space. People always find something to moan about!

Do you also drink drive because it's inconvenient for you to drive sober? 🧐

waterlego · 25/01/2022 20:22

@BellatricksStrange A ‘few’ car fumes might be all right. But unfortunately when you add them all up with other ‘few’ car fumes (because each person idling will have what they see as a legitimate reason) they can have pretty serious effects on health.

Shuffletime · 25/01/2022 20:24

@Whatthefuck3456

I would and still will choose the warm car over a hot flask or an extra jacket. I always make sure I get there 30 mins early to get a space. People always find something to moan about!

Yea...who cares if it literally kills small children!

(Google Ella Kissi-Debrah if you still want to plead ignorance)

Itsnotover · 25/01/2022 20:25

No wonder so many children have asthma.

NoKnit · 25/01/2022 20:26

@WotsitMum

My childs nursery has a sighn about car fumes in the car park and to turn off the engine whilst sat in the car. They are a very eco friendly nursery, all company cars are electric and they are a plastic free nursery with all wooden toys
I don't know why I just burst out laughing at that. But I can't work out why. If it is the company car thing (because what nursery needs a car?) or the plastic free thing but it has made me chuckle no end. Pick a nursery that doesn't have Lego, much better for the planet 🤣
waterlego · 25/01/2022 20:27

@Shuffletime, I was just about to post about Ella Kissi-Debrah! Her mother was impressive in her attempts to raise awareness.

muddyford · 25/01/2022 20:29

A pub near where I used to live had a sign asking drivers not to reverse into parking spaces as the fumes were bad for the shrubs!

Lancssss · 25/01/2022 20:29

Christ some people are selfish! Stick a bloody blanket in your car.

truthfullylying · 25/01/2022 20:32

They might need to keep he heating on Hmm ffs

truthfullylying · 25/01/2022 20:33

@Spanielsarepainless

A pub near where I used to live had a sign asking drivers not to reverse into parking spaces as the fumes were bad for the shrubs!
Weirdly some people would observe that whilst not giving a shit about humans breathing in fumes I think.
SnowyPetals · 25/01/2022 20:33

@BellatricksStrange

YABU. Nothing will happen to anyone from a few car fumes. The issues are massively overstated in order to be able to apply more green taxes.
There have been a large quantity of studies that show your assertion to be untrue. Sorry if that's inconvenient and you would rather pretend it doesn't have an effect. It does.
Darbs76 · 25/01/2022 20:34

I’m picking my daughter up from secondary school at the moment as she’s not well - ongoing illness currently undiagnosed. I usually get there early so I go for a walk, soon warms me up and it gets my steps up. I see so many sitting with engines running for ages.