To think DS should park further away?

[Totallynootella]

Honestly I know this is minor but AIBU isn't just for the big stuff.

We live in a semi detached with a drive we can't use.

There's plenty of unrestricted parking on our street and the adjoining street. The only time it gets busy in our area is glorious sunny days and Park Run time.

There is enough space outside our house and next door's house for 3 cars to easily park between the two dropped kerbs. Next door has a large drive that they park one or two cars on.

There's a convention that they park one of their cars outside their house leaving 2 spaces for 2 of our cars.

So DH and I prefer to leave our cars there, visible from sitting room window.

DS has tended to park into one of these gaps if they're empty when he pulls up, but I think he should park a smidge further away and leave the old folk to have a shorter walk to the front door.

I've had a minor word with him but I think he's thoughtless on occasion and soon goes back to pulling into the nearest parking space.

Aibu to think he should defer to us?

My thoughts exactly.

She means herself and her DH I think!

The more cars on the road (not using an available driveway), the less space there is for other cars. If you have space off road that you can use, it would be the considerate thing to do, in order to minimise the struggle for everyone else.

Well yes, your son is just as entitled to park outside your house as your neighbours 3rd or 4th car and you are. It's mildly more convenient for him as well as mildly more convenient for you

If you have genuine mobility issues then I'd probably also speak to your neighbour to ensure you can park as close to your house as possible. If not then your just being lazy aren't you?

Put your car in the garage.

There's no struggle.

There's plenty of parking.

I think you answered your own question there, everybody is entitled to park on a public road.

You need the exercise more than he does. Use it or lose it etc.

😂 of course they're entitled to park 3 cars on the road...they could park 13 there if they liked...

Yes but they aren't entitled to the space right outside their house was i think the point. Anyone can park there.

I can totally understand where you’re coming from re distance to the house, if you have mobility issues. But in your son’s shoes I’d be pretty irritated if you basically told me to park further away, cos you don’t care if my car gets nicked, as long as dad’s doesn’t!

No doubt he hasn't really taken on board that you really are getting old. Next time he comes, just remind him before he arrives, "oh and can you leave the spaces in front of the house free for us please, the walk to and from the car is starting to get quite a slog at our age to be quite honest"

This my my thought, as an aging person. We need to be walking more while we can.

Surprised at the replies!

Its obviously U to say this to unrelated people, but you are entitled to ask this of your son, esp if “outsiders” never or rarely park there.

I do think a young man should defer to his parents, especially his mother re convenience and comfort. This is both because of respective fitness/ ability but also because you gave birth to him (assuming not an abusive parent etc). See also re young men who expect to go in the front seat over their mothers 😡

Unless you really can’t walk far already.

Have said you are unreasonable, because if you are elderly you need to guard against loss of muscle mass and be as active as possible.

How old are you, @Totallynootella ?

I know where you are coming from. I have parking for 4 cars on my drive and i absolutely hate street parking where we live because there isnt really much room so its always a big inconvenience to other road users.

Anyhow if we have a guest coming or a tradesman then it simply is a case of a message on our whatsapp group to say no driveway parking. The kids park in the free general use spaces dotted all over the estate and walk in.

Sorry kids, there is a pecking order and if i found out one of the adults had to walk because the kids had ignored my request then they would know i would make their life hell for it. Its called respect, actions and consequences. A small issue but its a show of respect. Thankfully never had to do it as my children show us respect.

Threads like this are hilarious to me because I just read the OP and instantly knew there'd be a plethora of responses asking why the drive can't be used

Turns out the drive isn't just unusable, it never existed. The old people aren't elderly either. And OP has garages-why can't the car(s) go in those?

OP I think you’ve really confused the matter by talking about driveways and available spaces and what the neighbours do.

your question is really: wouldn’t it be courteous of DS to leave spaces closer to the house for his parents to park in, by choosing another space?

it’s what’s I do if I go to my parents. If there’s a space right outside their house I leave it for my sister who is very pregnant and I park a few spaces down. It just cuts down on walking for her.

but everyone’s talking about this like it’s a parking conundrum when really you’re saying it would be nice if DS thought about his parents a bit.

If you’re not using your drive can he not just park in front of the dropped kerb of your drive?

You are the one who mentioned “old folk” if you meant this ironically referring to you and your OH then fair enough, but it could be construed literally to be referring to you or your neighbours.

Can’t one car go in the garage?

Why post then, for heavens sake. There's room for everyone! Everything is fine! Hooray 🎉

So what on earth is the real issue here? Your preference for parking your car directly outside your house so that you can sit staring at it through your living room window?