Called a "c*nt" in front of his kid over a P&C spot...

[SorryIParkedWrong]

Hi all,
Need a sanity check on an interaction I had yesterday that's still bothering me.
I used a Parent & Child spot yesterday at a quiet retail park. I know, technically wrong, but I was doing a massive haul for a house move and needed the boot space, and loads of other P&C spots were free so I wasn't leaving anyone without.
The issue happened when I got back to my car after shopping. I was in the driver's seat, engine on, and was just about to reverse out and leave.
A car pulled into the P&C space next to me. A woman got out with her young child and. She came right up to my window, which was cracked open, and said in a really aggressive tone, "You shouldn't be parked there."
Not wanting any drama or to explain my point to an emotionally enraged individual, I just said, "Ok," and put the car fully in reverse to leave. That's when she and the dad who appeared completely kicked off. Standing right by my car door, she launched into an absolute tirade.
She was shouting all sorts - "cunt," "fucking little shit," "look at your shit car," "fucking shit driving." All while her own young child stood there watching the whole thing.
I briefly stopped reversing, said through the window "I hope you have a lovely rest of your day," and then started to move again. She and her husband just kept going with the abuse, so I stopped the car again because I was just in disbelief. I looked at her and started laughing at the sheer absurdity and the level of her rage.
I know I shouldn't have used the spot. But AIBU to think her reaction was completely unhinged? Does my minor error give someone the right to hurl that level of personal, nasty abuse at a stranger, especially in front of their own child?
It honestly felt like she was just projecting all her life's problems onto me over a parking space. What do you think?

So I will routinely park in a P&C space if it’s quiet and there are lots of free spaces. However I always return my trolley to the right spot. Guess I’m only part Cunt. But then I have (an absolutely massive in MN speak) SUV so I guess that makes me more cunt than not.

Do it, we can't get mum a BB either.

Never had a problem, which I'm slightly miffed about I'd love to just drive away while someone is ranting on about it 🤣

With all due respect, get a disabled badge. They’re not there for the elderly, they’re there for parents with children - thus the clue being in both the name of the spots and the pictures.

With all due respect you obviously have no idea how hard it is to get a blue badge.

@Megifer why haven’t you applied for a blue badge for your mum?

Loads of people park in P&C spaces when it's not needed. Doesn't bother me tbh. They sound classy, poor dc won't have a hope.

I can't get her one, for a number of reasons that aren't relevant. So we'll carry on with what we're doing.

I miss that 😂😂emoji!

P&C spaces are a courtesy and as you’ve noted Op, you should not have parked there.

The deranged witch and her equally unpleasant husband should have spoken to staff at the store.

They may have an opinion, but they had no right to harangue you. Clearly though they were trying to model assertive behaviour to their little one. Charmers.

Where did I say I haven't applied?

That is incredibly selfish. As a parent I don’t park in a disabled space if there are no parent and child spaces; equally if there are no disabled spaces left I wouldn’t expect the user to use a parent and child space. Both are there for a reason. Do what parents with children would do, wait for a space rather than take a space intended for someone else’s needs.

Then you shouldn’t be using a disabled space or a parent and child space.

But why are you using them without a child?

I mean it is a dickish thing to do for an able bodied person to park there who doesn’t need the extra space either side to get babies and toddlers out of car seats.

Are P&C spaces only for those with babies & toddlers?

I was just thinking how little the word cunt is now used on Mumsnet. It's become a much less sweary site. Weirdly I think that happened after Penis beaker and the Daily Mail links!

You did the wrong thing so your answer should have been,

"Yes, you are right. Please report me to the authorities."

Then you drive off carefully - no laughing, no conversing any more.

And in future, when you are shopping, you park correctly.

This is great! No op you were not being unreasonable, you made an error of judgement, but for these people to behave in this manner is abuse and harassment.
I know for one, that I've been in a P&C parking space, exwife and children decide to do something else, like go for dinner, I say I'll take the car back, come back on the tube/bus and meet in 30 mins or so.
This whole thing about people using the P&C parking space when no visible child - tsh, we should have a whole series of parking spaces for all sorts of reasons when having greater access to the car is easier, what about a friend who is on crutches? Or has done their back in, or loading up a huge shopping trolley.
Typical of various high and mighty people on MN who obviously don't do anything wrong in their lives, never swear or have a bad moment.
The whole holier than thou comments, just is a nonsense.
A mistake was made, the people harassing the individual should be hauled in front of the courts for harassment and causing a disturbance in a public place.
Perhaps we should all take a moment and quietly say to ourselves, there but for the grace of God?

Edit - spotted a grammar mistake

Why are we getting the "impact" talk? 😂

It's like an "I'm sorry but you..." type apology.

She did do something wrong. She parked alone in a spot intended for a parent and CHILD.
please don’t do this, even if ‘quiet’. It may not be against the law but it’s rude and entitled to park there when you don’t have a child. Grow up.

I mean I agree that it's only those ages where you need the extra space to manoeuvre car seats but I see tons of older dc also using those spaces.

Explained in the post you quoted.

It’s not that hard at all, if it’s appropriate. I assisted with lots of applications for my patients and none of them were turned down

I forgot to quote this above otherwise I am just randomly talking about swearing!

I actually wish they’d put p&c spaces far away from the stores. It really grinds my gears especially as people assume they’re just there to provide a closer space. Actually it’s about the room around the space to allow car seats etc.
The family was clearly unhinged.

One are a legal requirement which means the user can get out of the house.

the other is a marketing ploy!

the only similarity between the two is the extra space.

This whole thing about people using the P&C parking space when no visible child - tsh, we should have a whole series of parking spaces for all sorts of reasons when having greater access to the car is easier, what about a friend who is on crutches?

Agree, my older relatives need the space to manoeuvre themselves & their walking aids. My 8 yr old doesn't.