Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

Original poster

To be pissed off at the neighbours and say something?

13 replies

Deemented · 10/12/2009 11:16

I know i'm probably being petty and hormonal, but im almost 35 weeks pregnant so i'm allowed to be

I live on a street where there isn't much room to park cars, the road is very narrow, and pavements very wide, consequently, people park their cars on the pavements, myself included.

Next door have four, yes four cars between them, and i'm continuously having problems trying to park anywhere near my house. Not so bad when it's dry, but when it's raining, and i have ds, 5, dd nineteen months, shopping and i'm waddling like a penguin it's a bloody pain in the arse to have to walk up the hill and round the corner just to get home.

Would it be very unreasonable of me to ask them if they wouldn't mind leaving room outside my house so i can park, or should i just suck it up and mutter about them under my breath?

OP posts:

RealityIsHungover · 10/12/2009 11:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

gorionine · 10/12/2009 11:19

I think if you approach them calmly and explain how hard it is for you they would probably make an effort, at least for next the 5 odd weeks.

santaschristmascakeywakey · 10/12/2009 11:24

You can only ask them. Be prepared for other cheeky beggars to nab the space they leave for you though.

Lemonylemon · 10/12/2009 11:26

I had the same problem when I moved into my house. In the end, I got the front garden paved over and drop down kerb done.

I was having to walk half-way down the road with a 3 year old on one shoulder and a couple of rucksacks on the other if we'd been out for the evening.

Even now, my next-door-but-one's DIL parks right across my drive....

Openbook · 10/12/2009 11:34

You have my sympathy but realisticly I don't think you've got much chance of securing a regular spot outside your house. You should ask but i wouldn't hold your breath. i guess this is a long term situation and that lots of people would love a designated spot of their own. Also if they leave a space for you, won't it be taken by someone else struggling to park too. i think the best you can expect is that they will sigh and say they'll try and do what they can, (but then probably do bugger all!)Sorry to be so negative but this is a hard situation that lots of people fall out with their neighbours over. if reltionships are otherwise OK i would want to avoid a grievance growing - I've fallen out with neighbours and it's horrible, really takes away your piece of mind and personally I would want to avoid it. I'm not a wimp - I just know what it's like. But hey - who knows - it is worth a try!

Washersaurus · 10/12/2009 11:37

You are right that you are allowed to be petty and hormonal, and that some people have far too many cars for where they live....BUT, other than politely asking them to leave a space for you I don't see what you honestly expect if you own a house without a private driveway.

Your children won't melt in the rain and although it is hard work for you it isn't exactly a major problem (and I don't drive at all)... but I am trying to buy a house with a driveway so DH can park a bit closer

ginnybag · 10/12/2009 12:33

You can ask but that's no guarantee that you'll get...

I do wonder sometimes if it isn't time that there was some sort of regulation introduced about no. of car spaces per house though. These problems do often seem to arise because one particular household has 3 or 4 or 5 or whatever.

muddleduck · 10/12/2009 12:38

Even if they agree to leave it clear, chances are they will have to park outside someone elses house and then those people will then park in front of yours.

Don't think you're going to win this one.

SE13Mummy · 10/12/2009 12:42

There's no harm in asking/putting a polite note on the windscreen of cars that regularly park in front of your home. A friend of mine did this and the the offending driver was mortified that he'd parked where she needed to in order to get her toddlers in and out safely. He then took to parking strategically so that she could always fit her car in but in such a way that most other people wouldn't bother to try!

thenameiwantedwastaken · 10/12/2009 13:10

Don't write a note!!! SE13's friend is probably the only person in history where said note has not been misunderstood and caused a big ruck. (See past posts on here).

Washersaurus · 10/12/2009 13:13

I agree, a note sounds like terrible idea if you don't want to cause massive misunderstandings etc

mayorquimby · 10/12/2009 13:28

ask politely but take it graciously if they turn down your request

SE13Mummy · 10/12/2009 15:58

Ahhh, notes obviously only work in areas of high tolerance and understanding such as SE13! My friend was clearly very fortunate that we don't live in an area of high knife crime etc.

Flip