Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to use the parent/child parking spaces whilst being heavily pregnant??

175 replies

STIGZ · 30/12/2009 17:08

was jst wondering wot ppl think of this??

my boyfriend has parked in these spaces a couple of times for me if the only other available one is 10 miles away from the door!

I feel bad when he does this but it must admit its great not have to walk any further than i have to in peeing rain with my dodgy back and preganacy waddle!!

he says "you are a parent with a child....you jst cant see it yet!!(well not all of it!!)

am i being a pregnant lazy sod ??

OP posts:
confuddledDOTcom · 30/12/2009 18:16

I was under the impression they were for pregnant women too - from the family members that work for Tesco. I have done - although I also had a toddler - when I was pregnant last time, I was suffering badly from SPD (and before anyone comments on how did I shop, I traded my crutches for a mobility scooter) and no way could I have walked any further than that.

As far as the "fine" is concerned, there isn't one. They can give you a fee but they have absolutely zilch power to enforce it.

nellie12 · 30/12/2009 18:19

no yanbu. I cant believe how sanctimonious some people are. speaking as one who has had to contend with 2 toddlers and buggy's - stil have toddler and baby combo. so I would rather someone like op used space rather than the couldn't be arsed brigade.(who also park in the disabled spaces from what I've observed)

InMyLittleHead · 30/12/2009 18:20

I think if you are heavily pregnant you should be allowed, especially if you have other problems along with it like spd, and the only other spare space was far away. I guess it's a judgement call.

SheikYerbouti · 30/12/2009 18:22

I never use them, they are always in the busiest bit of the car park, and if I am not looking, my 2 make a run for it

BertieBotts · 30/12/2009 18:26

I always thought that article was funny, as Asda's response (or wherever it was) was:

"Being pregnant is a lifestyle choice, whereas having children is not."

Eh??

SheikYerbouti · 30/12/2009 18:27

roffle at that statement

Carikube · 30/12/2009 18:27

I had to go to the hospital when 36 weeks pg and had real difficulty finding a space - when I finally got one, I couldn't get my bump through the gap so had to go off and circle the car park again until I could find a better one. I was therefore late for my appt and when I was telling the MW about why I was late she said that I should have just parked in a P&C space as I would be justified in doing so...

lovechoc · 30/12/2009 18:31

don't know if it's been mentioned but should heavily pregnant women not be entitled to a temporary disabled badge whilst they are approaching the end of the pregnancy? Just a thought...DH actually thought of it first but nevermind...

lazyemma · 30/12/2009 18:41

YANBU. There's an ludicrous sense of entitlement amongst some parents over P&C spaces, and bang on like they're the equivalent of disabled parking. They're not a right, they're a privilege; a perk dreamt up by supermarkets to encourage parents to spend their £££ at their store. I wonder how on earth anyone managed before they were invented.

JaynieB · 30/12/2009 18:49

I don't think its unreasonable to park in the space if heavily pregnant - although personally I wish the P&C spaces weren't so near the entrances, thus making them so appealing to lazy types! Its the extra space to get kids out thats more useful to me.

Yuletidespamlog · 30/12/2009 18:52

I too thought that only disabled spaces were legally enforceable?

Surely, therefore, no fine?

Chynah · 30/12/2009 18:54

YABU - If you think it's difficult now wait til baby is on the outside! And if you have your boyfriend with you you have no need to use one at all. I am also pregnant and also have an 11 month old in tow and yes I get a little peeved when the spaces are all taken by people with little need for them.

Heqet · 30/12/2009 18:57

lovechoc - no, I don't think that pregnancy is a disability, unless you have complications such as spd, in which case you really ought to qualify for a badge until you are recovered.

Pregnancy is not disabling, in normal circumstances. It's knackering, it's uncomfy, but it is not a disability.

FabIsGoingToBeFabIn2010 · 30/12/2009 18:58

YANBU to park there but are a bit ott to say it is 10 miles away.

SantaWears2SnowShoes · 30/12/2009 18:59

lovechoc you have to be disabled to get a blue badge

Heqet · 30/12/2009 19:00

ooh, I dunno, they have just opened the largest tesco in the world in chesterfield . It can probably be seen from orbit and I can quite see the edge of the car park being about 10 miles from the entrance.

FabIsGoingToBeFabIn2010 · 30/12/2009 19:01

No lovechoc they shouldn't. They are not disabled.

Paolosgirl · 30/12/2009 19:02

To all those who think she isn't being unreasonable - at what point in the pregnancy do you think it becomes OK to take one of these spaces away from someone who actually does have a baby/child and all the gubbins that goes along with them?

3 months? 6 months? How do you monitor it? Some women are huge at 5 months, others still tiny at 9 months - do you say to a woman who's 6 weeks pregnant and feeling crap that it's OK?

BonjourIvressedeNoel · 30/12/2009 19:02

YANBU, you need to open the door wide to get out and being heavily is so uncomfortable. And bollocks to those who say you shouldn't be shopping if you need to use a P & C space, life goes on...

becky7000 · 30/12/2009 19:05

I would be annoyed if I couldn't park in a P&C space because a pg women (assuming no rea disability)had parked there. I have a 1,2 and a 3 year old and really appreciate these spaces.

I am also 34 weeks pg and DO NOT park in these spaces when on my own.Maybe after you have had the baby you will apreciate how useful they can be when you have young children.

BaconWheatCrunchies · 30/12/2009 19:07

I don't think you should use one unless you have a child, and I've been known to grass people up, but probably wouldn't a pregnant lady.

Northernhahaha · 30/12/2009 19:15

Is this for real? You're pregnant, not ill, get a grip. Just wait until you have the baby and see how you feel about not being able to park in one of those spaces.

Pregnant women behaving like they're made of glass drives me crazy.

sarah293 · 30/12/2009 19:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

mvemjsunp · 30/12/2009 19:19

YABU

The purpose of the spaces is to make it safer for little ones - so that they can be removed from the car and make it to the store without encountering a lot of other traffic.

As a heavily pregnant woman, you are not disabled. Your legs still work and you are a picture of 'health'. Keeping active is good for an easy labour.

Parent spaces are a marketing thing on behalf of the supermarkets, they are not an entitlement. They have been around for less than 20 years and everyone managed fine before then.

timelordvictorious · 30/12/2009 19:19

YABU from me. Not for your supposd crime, but for such blatant trolling.

Swipe left for the next trending thread