Entitled school mum parking (with diagram)

[OneGreyBiscuit]

I will probably get flack for this but this is the second time this has happened in as many days. I get to school pick up early, parked my car noone in front and another car few metres behind. Another car comes and parks a few metres ahead. Another one comes and parks in between me and car ahead. Plenty of room to leave her car also bang in middle of both, but no she has to move her car as near to my bumper as possible. I move car back and she moves her car forward again right on top of my bumper. I beep my horn, she gets out of car asking why I did that, I said cos you've parked as near to me as possible, she says there's a load of room behind you, I said what if someone parks the same behind, then I'll move back she said (bear in mind she was leaving her car) and everyone's happy except you, i told her to sod off. And she parked over a dropped kerb. Aibu to think she could've just parked between the two cars leaving enough room both ways

You can report her to the council/highways for parking over a dropped curb and she'll get a lovely fine through her door. Make sure you take a picture, next time. Report her behaviour to the school, and the dropped curb because she's causing a safety issue for children who need to cross safely.

Isn't this getting a bit heated? Too much to-ing and fro-ing. The poster won't be happy unless you all agree with her. Just draw a line under it and move on.

I wonder if it would be better for OP and DD if OP parked further away so they both got exercise and avoid these stressful situations. This would then resolve it. Leading by example others might follow.
Sounds to me like perfect solution.

So you could park further away then?

Totally agree. Every school in our catchment area would involve at least 2 miles on A or B roads (60mph)with no pavements or streetlights. I wouldn’t let my kids cycle on them let alone walk on them. Outside cities/towns, this is pretty common

Walk.

You surely have an obvious solution that you simply park near to a car that is already parked so that you have enough space to get out, but there is not enough space for another car to fit in the gap. If you're parking in a place where you know it's going to fill up with cars, then you can't assume that everyone is going to park to your exact requirements!

I hea you. BF's block of flats where I lived on & off for about 8 months 2018-2019 & then just before Covid Lockdown is opposite I primary school. I was ment to be getting picked up for work each day by one of our tech guys in our installation van. Think van a bit bigger than Transit that can carry 10 foot long installation ducts for computers, media, presentation stages for venues etc.
He couldn't get near BF's place unless he showed up around 7.10am. Two bus stops - one directly outside bf's back door & patio fence & other stop on other side 200 foot down added to chaos & mayhem.

My firms premises are tucked away on industrial estate practically in countryside on outskirts of south greater London. From BFs that's a three bus journey through two packed towns with nightmare road layouts. So two main buses, an then tiny hoppa bus to get to work for me. Easily two hours. Bad day three plus leaving at 5.45am when first bus showed up.
So bus was impractical. Van guy couldn't even get near on main road sometimes in morning as red route, turning off meant you couldn't get back on due to congestion when I got onboard etc.
Boyfriend is partly disabled - uses a stick - is a very odd long torso short legs shape & has sensory issues. He has never been able to drive - even a go-cart or petrol scooter properly and would never get a licence for public road travel. After his various operations in 2000s for unusual heart, weird internal anatomy set up & correction of congenital abnormalities on both shoulders, right pelvis & right femur he was offered a car via a charity despite this.

No. As apart from all above issues, behind his block were a rat run of estate roads & parking spots that filled up for 4 hours each day with parents parking in road, leaving vehicle to block said roads when popping across road to collect kids. He'd be trapped unless it was after 5-6pm. His sister dropped off some medical supplies to him one day before attempting to collect her youngest at school mile and half away as crow flies. So about 2.40pm ... big mistake. Trapped for almost an hour. Her BFF had to collect her son. Being a bossy but good Karen type - think blonde Hermione Granger on steroids - she was on the phone to the school opposite, estate housing association, local council and BF's support group etc. She spent that 40 minutes while inconsiderate parents cleared out in their SUVs ... even her tiny Fiat couldn't escape!

He was permanently signed off in 2010 at 34 so it didn't matter. Even mobility scooter was impractical due to kerb parking. He avoids school and rush hour travel when he can as he can limp to bus stop outside his. Appointments at school chuck out time means he has to leave an hours early & stuck in waiting rooms to ensure he's always o time. So long he's got his phones or a book to read he's fine.
The rare 11am doctors appointment in central London means serious planning and BF getting up around FOUR AM to travel straight line thirteen miles etc, on public transport etc. One closed bus stop or tube difficulties Circle Line unexpectedly closing while he was travelling ... all this is out the window.

It has been better since lockdown, said school shouting at parents, house estate association cracking down on cars not meant to be in side roads etc. Parents should pick kids up on foot and get (packed) to where cars are parked etc. The boys grammar school next bus stop down the road doesn't help, but at least they have teachers on either side of road to filter kids onto said buses. Lads always help BF on at his stops, get him to handicapped space etc - so at least that's something.

Apologies for ramble. I'm at boyfriends now working online. Zoom call from American east coast has been due to start 75 minutes ago but they are taking their sweet bloody time over it & it's hyping up my anxieties no end. New meds started last week have not been helping at all.
I feel for you and hope evil lite hyper inconsiderate parking Penelopes get their wheels nicked and giant car loaded onto a lorry for impounding kama 😅

@OneGreyBiscuit so it was differed Mums each day and they both did the same thing - park very close to you in front of you?

If different people it can’t be personal. Both must have felt they were giving you enough room to maneuver out.

When you reversed the other driver probably assumed you were reversing to give her more space to avoid the dropped curb.

You’ve assumed she did it to inconvenience you but she’s assumed you were trying to help her out with more space.

Exactly. BF is disabled and due to thyroid and steroid injections very large. He's gradually losing it due to new meds regime. 2017 he was at his biggest at probably about 24 stone+, he was often unable to get passed cars on dropped kerb, along the B road he lives on. So meant limping into road with his walking stick(s) to get around said cars or crossing the road to other side ... and facing same issues over there. At least 99% of those driving are considerate. Primary school, two bus stops outside his supported accommodation block of flats - boys Grammar next bus stops down mean he doesn't like to even attempt it a school coming out time. It's easier for him to just hop on a bus to go two stops down. He has a permanent Freedom Pass now so he feels guilty but has to do the hops on his estate road and from town bus stop to stop when local shopping.
Medieval road layouts and current trend for huge cars do not mix in inner or outer London - and I suspect many other British cities that I've not been to - don't mix well in 21st century infrastructure constraints ... rolling eyes

Is it possibke for some schools to provide quick car pick up and parking zones for the pupils within the school grounds.

l would also hate to live near school. Where l couldnt park my car near to because of entitled parents.clogging up the roads.

This is beyond ridiculous. RTFT. Behind was a dropped kerb also. Behind was a dropped kerb also. She shouldn't have to wait on anyone else's time because they have parked across a dropped kerb. Why should she?

School parking is a nightmare .. I always park round the corner few minutes walk away with my grandaughter.
I understand what your saying about the dropped kerbs front and back she was inconsiderate if she tried to squash in .. but I suppose if there is another dropped kerb behind you could reverse when leaving to get out .. its dog eat dog of a morning .

But she’s right, you have a load of room behind you so presumably she pulled closer to you to make it easier for her to get out and you could’ve done the same? I think you were v unreasonable to beep and tell her to sod off and if I was her I’d be thinking you’re crazy

Haha. Unless… you genuinely don’t realise some people live many miles away or via A roads with no pavements? I said previously on this thread that I think people with this lack of… self-awareness are fascinating. I wonder whether it spreads to other areas in your life too?

You sound like a bad driver, paranoid about being blocked in.

She was probably trying to leave a decent parking space for someone else....until you kept moving ...then she's got annoyed with you....or am I missing something? Apologies if I am

The issue is that the school run has become a traffic and pollution crisis and actually negatively impacts residents all around schools. I would never want to buy a property next to a school as I know there would be an swarm of suvs every day. As for the actual question about the tight parking, I agree that it's not good practice to box someone in, but a lot of people in their suvs feel very entitled!!

I think you’re both being petty.