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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To walk dark, lonely-ish road to multi-storey carpark at 4am, with toddler?

123 replies

QS90 · 18/11/2023 03:02

Have been at hospital with toddler for 10 hours, he's likely to be discharged in next few hours. No sodding car park at hospital, so have had to park a third of a mile away, at creepy multi-storey down dark alley. Would be loathe to go alone, let alone with toddler. However do need to get home.

Partner has offered to meet me at hospital, however he's looking after our baby. Car seat is in my car - he doesn't drive. He could get an Uber, but would have to take our youngest without a car seat. Mainly 20mph roads, but into town with associated Friday night drunks.

Aibu to risk the walk alone? Or is baby without car seat more unsafe? Which is the least bad?

OP posts:
steff13 · 18/11/2023 03:04

Could you get an Uber to the parking garage?

AliceOlive · 18/11/2023 03:06

Might be a dumb suggestion as I don’t live in UK but any chance there is hospital security that could escort you? Does the car park belong to the hospital?

peakedatseven · 18/11/2023 03:06

I would be fine with the walk but if you aren’t then can your partner not take the car seat from your car to use in a taxi?

Sarasara1983 · 18/11/2023 03:07

If you don’t feel safe cab you ask to stay in the hospital until daytime?

porridgecake · 18/11/2023 03:09

Partner comes to parking garage with baby in an Uber. Asks Uber driver to wait with lights on while he puts baby in car seat in your car. Tip Uber driver. Partner picks you and toddler up at hospital.

Shalopea · 18/11/2023 03:09

Can you just get an Uber home with the toddler and go back for the car tomorrow?

WandaWonder · 18/11/2023 03:12

I would just get on and get the walk done, it would be less stress that worrying about how not to do it

MidnightOnceMore · 18/11/2023 03:13

I'd get a taxi to your car.

Mummymummy89 · 18/11/2023 03:16

I'd do the walk, it's not a long one and the chances of anything bad happening are pretty slim. Creeps and drunks rarely target a woman and a toddler at the same time.

Tohaveandtohold · 18/11/2023 03:21

If you’re not comfortable, Its easier to just get a taxi from the hospital to your car.
If your partner wants to come instead, he can always ask a taxi to bring a car seat, they always have one.

QS90 · 18/11/2023 03:27

steff13 · 18/11/2023 03:04

Could you get an Uber to the parking garage?

Could, but it's the carpark itself too - stairwells etc. It's had a bit of a rep in the past for vagrants etc.

OP posts:
CaramacFiend · 18/11/2023 03:28

Is it a particularly dodgy area? If not, I'd just walk it. A car accident is much more likely to happen.

QS90 · 18/11/2023 03:28

AliceOlive · 18/11/2023 03:06

Might be a dumb suggestion as I don’t live in UK but any chance there is hospital security that could escort you? Does the car park belong to the hospital?

Unfortunately the car park is not owned by the hospital, they literally don't have one which I think is bonkers. It's a way up the road, don't think security would come.

OP posts:
torettsticks · 18/11/2023 03:28

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

QS90 · 18/11/2023 03:29

Shalopea · 18/11/2023 03:09

Can you just get an Uber home with the toddler and go back for the car tomorrow?

Did consider this, but then the 2 year old is without a car seat.

OP posts:
MidnightOnceMore · 18/11/2023 03:31

QS90 · 18/11/2023 03:27

Could, but it's the carpark itself too - stairwells etc. It's had a bit of a rep in the past for vagrants etc.

But they'll drive you right to your car, to the level your car is on.

If you feel unsafe doing that, get a taxi home. Then one of you can get a taxi back to the car in daylight hours tomorrow.

PronounsBaby · 18/11/2023 03:31

Surely the hospital won't discharge you until the morning?! The hospital I worked in certainly wouldn't discharge anyone in the middle of the night

Happyhappyday · 18/11/2023 03:31

I would just walk. Seriously unlikely anything would happen. Not a big deal. Driving with a baby without a car seat would be a hell no from me.

QS90 · 18/11/2023 03:31

peakedatseven · 18/11/2023 03:06

I would be fine with the walk but if you aren’t then can your partner not take the car seat from your car to use in a taxi?

No, he's at home, my car is near hospital with the car seat inside.

OP posts:
Frozensun · 18/11/2023 03:32

I understand you feeling uncertain. Hang around the hospital until daylight/your partner can come down.

QS90 · 18/11/2023 03:32

MidnightOnceMore · 18/11/2023 03:31

But they'll drive you right to your car, to the level your car is on.

If you feel unsafe doing that, get a taxi home. Then one of you can get a taxi back to the car in daylight hours tomorrow.

Ah I see what you mean! Thanks, this is what I'll do.

OP posts:
Sprogonthetyne · 18/11/2023 03:33

Is the car racking up a horrendous charge per hour? If not I'd just leave it over night and get an uber straight home.

HelloDaisy · 18/11/2023 03:34

porridgecake · 18/11/2023 03:09

Partner comes to parking garage with baby in an Uber. Asks Uber driver to wait with lights on while he puts baby in car seat in your car. Tip Uber driver. Partner picks you and toddler up at hospital.

Either this or wait at the hospital until it’s light.

QS90 · 18/11/2023 03:36

It might be light by the time we're out 😂But if not, will get Uber to my car in the multistorey. Thank-you wise mumsnetters.

OP posts:
torettsticks · 18/11/2023 03:36

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.