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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Non Parents in Parent and Child parking spots

276 replies

MrsM494 · 02/10/2023 22:02

Its really getting on my nerves how people are parking in Parent and Child spots despite not having children. I saw 3 cars like this today and 2 the other week. I watched one woman act sheepishly as she saw me struggle to take my toddler and baby out of my car in a regular parking spot, whilst she (with no children) parked in a parent and child spot. I don't want to be confrontational but would I be in the wrong to ask people to park better?!

OP posts:
Polarbearkeeper · 02/10/2023 22:31

So annoying. I feel you as a mum of a 12m old. Having said that, probably not worth starting an argument with a stranger.

dayofcheese · 02/10/2023 22:32

Yes you would be wrong. It would just cause stress to your children who would be with you.

Must be annoying though.

EsmeSusanOgg · 02/10/2023 22:33

You're not wrong to be annoyed. But prepare to be evicerated by AIBU. It's a popular topic to be piled on over.

I say this not just as a mum to young kids but as a blue badge holder with hidden disabilities (because that is the usual whataboutism as a scenario thrown about in these situations).

vodkaredbullgirl · 02/10/2023 22:35

Oh dear how bloody annoying 🙄

Humbugg · 02/10/2023 22:35

Bothers me all the time. I’m a mum to a toddler and newborn. I can’t get the baby out of the car in very small spots!!

keep seeing men in Bmws parking in the baby spots so that they don’t get their car doors possibly scratched. Taking all the spaces so there’s none of the 12 spaces left for actual parents!!!!

OnAir · 02/10/2023 22:36

I'll be parking in these bays soon I have an 11 year old but I'm massively pregnant and I can't get out of my bloody car as the spaces are so small no other choice really. Is that ok ?

dayofcheese · 02/10/2023 22:38

OnAir · 02/10/2023 22:36

I'll be parking in these bays soon I have an 11 year old but I'm massively pregnant and I can't get out of my bloody car as the spaces are so small no other choice really. Is that ok ?

Probably not unless 11 year old is with you but frankly I wouldn't bat an eyelid. They aren't the accessible/blue badge spaces so who cares

HongKongGarden · 02/10/2023 22:39

vodkaredbullgirl · 02/10/2023 22:35

Oh dear how bloody annoying 🙄

It is. We all know that we’ll come across our fair share of arseholes in life but it’s still annoying each time it happens.

Overthebow · 02/10/2023 22:39

Im 7 months pregnant and have a toddler, I am really struggling to get my toddler in and out in a regular space whilst having a big bump too. It’s so selfish of people to park in the parent and baby spaces when they don’t have kids. I actually saw a man park in one with no kids, then stood outside his car smoking the other day. I very nearly said something but I was too scared Sad

Yestostructure · 02/10/2023 22:39

I think if they moved them further from the entrance then the lazy bastards won't park there. I use them still with my 8 year old as he's already destroyed my no claims by denting the next car when opening the door. Wee ones/people manoeuvring wee ones need that extra space!!! I'd happy walk a bit further as usually the little one would be in a trolley/buggy (I've also got a toddler) and I don't mind the walk. Just need that half a metre at the side!

It bugs me more when it's clear (and I know there are hidden disabilities which are not necessarily just physical mobility related) abuse of disabled parking. But person in gym gear with the audi TT and no other passengers, I'm highly doubtful you need that space as you skip into the shop "only for 5 mins".

EsmeSusanOgg · 02/10/2023 22:42

OnAir · 02/10/2023 22:36

I'll be parking in these bays soon I have an 11 year old but I'm massively pregnant and I can't get out of my bloody car as the spaces are so small no other choice really. Is that ok ?

Yes.

hideundermyduvet2023 · 02/10/2023 22:43

This again!

dayofcheese · 02/10/2023 22:44

hideundermyduvet2023 · 02/10/2023 22:43

This again!

The thread title is quite clear

Goldensunnydays81 · 02/10/2023 22:45

so frustrating for you!
What bothers me is parents parking in the spots but the whole family staying In the car apart from one adult - if the kids are not getting out the car and staying with one parent then you don’t really need to park there,

OnAir · 02/10/2023 22:45

Thanks i do drive a bmw though so I'm guessing it would be even less acceptable.

Iwantmyoldnameback · 02/10/2023 22:48

Humbugg · 02/10/2023 22:35

Bothers me all the time. I’m a mum to a toddler and newborn. I can’t get the baby out of the car in very small spots!!

keep seeing men in Bmws parking in the baby spots so that they don’t get their car doors possibly scratched. Taking all the spaces so there’s none of the 12 spaces left for actual parents!!!!

Push your buggies between the BMWs that will frighten them.

hideundermyduvet2023 · 02/10/2023 22:48

OnAir · 02/10/2023 22:36

I'll be parking in these bays soon I have an 11 year old but I'm massively pregnant and I can't get out of my bloody car as the spaces are so small no other choice really. Is that ok ?

Please do it now

11 yo qualifies you in most supermarkets don't strain yourself, could easily cause some damage to your back squeezing into cars with a big bump.

I rather enjoyed the convenience of parking in one at the weekend without my kids with me. I was a teeny bit disappointed I didn't get the evils from anyone 😂😂 Seriously though it was 7am and no one there but still.....

CakeInAJar · 02/10/2023 22:49

Ooh careful OP - on MN parking in a P&C space is enormously entitled, and everyone should leave them free just in case a strapping young man in an Audi TT has an invisible disability. Even if you have 2 sets of quads under 3.
You will also get old from the anti-change who hers ‘I had my kids in the 80’s and we never had these’ and will also get told it’s a courtesy not the law.

Meanwhile on planet Earth it’s perfectly normal to rage about people parking in P&C spaces without children. One of my proudest moments was when DD was a toddler and DS was a few days old and a man in a bed truck parked across 2 P&C spaces at Tesco just as he saw me going for the space, and went in with his teenage DD. I parked behind him blocking him in. I told Tesco what I did, I don’t think they would dare o Next because I was fuming, and I took my sweet time going round to do my shop. He was furious when I got back and insisted “She’s my child! I CAN park here and my truck can’t fit in one space”. Dick.

CakeInAJar · 02/10/2023 22:50

OnAir · 02/10/2023 22:36

I'll be parking in these bays soon I have an 11 year old but I'm massively pregnant and I can't get out of my bloody car as the spaces are so small no other choice really. Is that ok ?

Yes heavily pregnant is fine!

MatthewsMumFromTikTok · 02/10/2023 22:51

Well it's not illegal...

Overthebow · 02/10/2023 22:52

MatthewsMumFromTikTok · 02/10/2023 22:51

Well it's not illegal...

No it’s not illegal but it’s hugely inconsiderate of those who actually need to park there for the reason they’re intended.

CakeInAJar · 02/10/2023 22:52

MatthewsMumFromTikTok · 02/10/2023 22:51

Well it's not illegal...

Neither is queue jumping. Do you go around doing that or do you have manners?

MatthewsMumFromTikTok · 02/10/2023 22:53

The public are in considerate in general

Not much you can do

MatthewsMumFromTikTok · 02/10/2023 22:54

@CakeInAJar what's queue jumping got to do with anything? Odd

Whowhatwherewhenwhy1 · 02/10/2023 22:56

Again. Yawn. This has been done to death.