I blocked someone in school run

[Anxious404]

I blocked a car in on the makeshift car park which I fully realise makes me the ass. First time I've ever done it.

When I'd got out and got the kids out and bags on, the man showed up. I had thought I wouldn't impact anyone as it's about 60 seconds total for me to run the kids to the gate and back. He had a toddler with him and started complaining, quite rightly, so I apologised and said I'm sorry, can I run these to the gate, I'll be about 60 seconds, while he gets his toddler in the car seat. He said yes OK but pulled a face.

When I got back he'd just finished getting the toddler in and I thanked him/apologised again before driving away but he just gave the world's dirtiest look. I realise I was in the wrong and being cheeky. But now feel very awkward especially as I'm a dinner lady to his son, I'm not sure he knows though.

Should I apologise again when I see him next or just leave it? Next time I will just find somewhere else to park, feel awful.

That's a bit of a leap. How do know she does that?

Our local schools are awash with cars at drop off and pick up time. Which amazes me as most people live within 15 minutes dawdle from the schools. But the lazy gits drive to and from school, and argue the toss about parking, which of course is now inadequate because just about everybody drives. Some people even park up at 2.30 for a 3.15 pick up.

This

You did apologise. He said it wasn't a problem. That's it how

Just don't do it again.

School runs can be stressful I wouldn't take it to heart. You apologised that's all you can do.
Honestly I've seen worse on school runs people nearly coming to blows (so much so I was glad I didn't drive lol) don't worry about it.

Just forget it, don't make a thing of it.

School run time is fraught enough with everyone dropping off and picking up on their way to or from work / childcare or whatever. Nobody is on their best from so don't judge people too harshly.

I got a dirty look the other day, It was a warm day and I was on the way to the vets straight after pickup with my elderly spaniel. It was a hot day and I left all the windows down for the 3 minutes I was at the gate, but I also parked quite badly so I could leave the car in the shade to keep the elderly, fairly long haired dog as cool as possible.

I know I parked badly but I am sure he didn't see the dog in the back. I choose to believe that if he had, then he'd have been a bit more understanding about my choice of parking location.

When you buy a house near a school you know exactly what will happen at approx 08:45 and 15:15, five days a week.

Zero apologies required. If it pisses them off that much then maybe they should have thought twice before buying that house near a school.

Yes I lived near a primary school for 3 years back in the days before I had kids. It was just one of those things, sometimes I'd have to wait 5 mins to get out and sometimes I'd hit pickup time and have to pick my way through the traffic to get home. I chose to live there so that was on me.

I live near our school and it's frustrating when people block us in but I show patience because I get it. Sometimes there's no time. But sometimes residents are in a rush too. You said sorry. Don't sweat it. I have a neighbour with a drive with a huge white line extending 2 foot either side of the drive. If parents so much as hang their bumper over it an inch she waits to tell them off. I think she's ott but I guess I'm warning that near schools, some residents get really wound up about the parking so be mindful that not everyone is patient. Please dont worry further

This.

You’re a cf, own it. I mean, the entitlement 😆 but as you can see from replies, “it’s fine”. This is the world we live in. Rude.

“And if he continues to be arsey tell him to stop or you will spit in his kid’s dinner.” Fucking lovely.

Not sure why he was so shirty about it as it didn't delay him at all. People just don't want to help out others any more. So depressing.

Zero apologies required. If it pisses them off that much then maybe they should have thought twice before buying that house near a school.

and we found another of these entitled and lazy parents!

Do not do it again. It is not a good thing to do.
At least you were there and moved the car swiftly. I bet you he does not even remember by now.
If you had left the car just there for 15- 30 min, then that would be an issue. And I have seen people doing this, even for flipping hours. And it is just wrong.

A makeshift parking area does not sound like she blocked his driveway.
Don't feel awkward OP, honest mistake for which you apologised.

It's done. Move on.

If you approach him again next time you see him my guess is he won't even know who you are.

Just park further away.

I got blocked in once when I had to get my other child to a hospital appointment.

Yes these are the people that astonish me. So desperate to park near school that they get there nearly an hour early. And it can't be because they need a quick get away because the whole road is clogged.

Perhaps he's fed up with people thinking they can just park across his drive. I imagine it happens a lot. Perhaps he's fed up of people 'just being 60 seconds' every day.
I'll bet OP isn't the first person to do this.

Don't apologise again. He probably won't even recognise you. The next day it might be him who has to park awkwardly. He wasn't sitting in the car waiting for you to return.

Forget it.

He wasn't in his drive. He was in the "makeshift" car park.

When you buy a house near a school you know exactly what will happen at approx 08:45 and 15:15, five days a week.

Someone always says this and it's not always true. We live very close to a school, two houses away at the end of a cul-de-sac. When we moved here, my children were pre-schoolers and my eldest started at the school the following year, there were about 250 children in the school. Over the years the roll has risen considerably and there are now 400 children in the school. Many other schools in the area are experiencing the same rising roll as they have built so many houses.

Parking is completely different from when we moved. I also don't think it's unreasonable to expect people not to park like dicks, to use the nearby car parks, and not block you in/out.

Exactly.

When I was a child if you lived within ten minutes or school you most certainly walked there. Now I know people who drive to school when they live quite literally a stones throw away. It's incomprehensible. I am really very unwell at the moment and I park further away than their houses!

Quite, and even if you have to drive you can park a few minutes away and walk the final bit.

I find that's much quicker than risking being blocked in/waiting for a space etc

You make it sound like parents are entitled to block residents in just because they're in a rush or can't be bothered to walk i.e their time is more valuable and their needs trump local residents.