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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Parent & child parking spaces

36 replies

sepa · 14/02/2016 18:16

Would you use them heavily pregnant and no other children? There doesn't seem to be an answer.
I'm 36+ weeks and very large so I do stubble to get out of the car in places.
Just wondered what the general rule is? Would you be annoyed if you couldn't get a space when you had a child with you and saw a pregnant person (with no outside womb children with her) using a space?

I see parents all the time use the space but leave kids in the car with other parents which annoys me as they don't need the extra space as they are not getting the children out the car...

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dizzylemon · 15/02/2016 12:24

I've used them...currently 32 weeks. Makes a big difference to getting in and out and no ones given me any flack so far, but then I've not parked anywhere massively busy. I'm also going to send off a quick note to facilities at my work place to see if me using disability spots is a problem for similar reasons.

But that's when I've been borrowing my DH sensible saloon car. It's taken me until this week to get rid of my MX5 (weep!) and I wouldn't have tried with that car as I know I'd incur wrath and sneers (which is fair,really. no good for kids and it's becoming some kind of acrobatic feat to get in and out of ;) )

hebs72 · 15/02/2016 15:45

I was very tempted this morning, when I backed neatly into an ordinary space and then had to squeeze myself out of the car without bumping the one next to me! I'm 36+4, so I'm very tempted to start using the parent and child spaces if I can't find a 'standard' one with enough room round it to get in and out. I did notice a couple of cars parking in these spaces while I was there with child seats in the back, but only the driver and no small passenger, so it seems reasonable to me.

Also, I've had to stop putting the car in the garage in the evening, as I get the car in but I can't get me out! Blush

Original poster
sepa · 15/02/2016 18:46

I have taken my managers space at work as its bigger than the rest!
I do try to park at ends etc but now I won't feel so bad if I have to use a parent and child.
I don't really like driving this heavily pregnant and decided that I will probably start doing tesco shop online

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tellmemore1982 · 15/02/2016 19:09

I am genuinely shocked that people think more about their own convenience than they do about the fact that young kids could be running out in front of cars from somewhere else in the car park because there are no P&C spaces left.

I have two kids. I never parked in P&C when I was pregnant because I'd rather someone else's child wasn't run over just because I decided "feck it" or "well everyone else does it so at least I'm not as bad as them".

Likewise I rarely even park in P&C when I've got the baby in the car seat to take in. I don't need to be near the door, my baby isn't going to jump out and run off. I can find the space I need elsewhere. I leave them for people with young kids like my 3yo who are at risk near cars in the car park.

I actually don't think there will be P&C spaces left in a few years time, shops and staff don't have the time to police the fallout from people who think their needs are greater than the next persons.

Original poster
sepa · 15/02/2016 19:32

I don't think people are taking up the last spaces for convenience. Everyone has said that they park further away and look for spaces to get out where they can!
Also, car parks are generally 5mph so I would be surprised if kids got ran over often in them

OP posts:
tellmemore1982 · 15/02/2016 19:53

I'd rather kids didn't get run over at all

Bejeena · 16/02/2016 16:25

Well really if you need a special space then surely at 36 weeks shouldn't be going around the shops, that is my logic. I don't use them unless i have my 2 year old with me. Am 30 weeks. Will be either sending husband or ordering online at 36 weeks, i will need to be resting no doubt

Original poster
sepa · 16/02/2016 16:46

I don't think you need to stop at 36 weeks and not go anywhere because you have a big tummy?
Anyway, I was just asking the question. I haven't said I use them

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Tootsieglitterballs · 16/02/2016 16:51

Nearing the end I wondered if I could but didn't dare! Wish I had now!

I had one experience about 2 weeks before I was due, I parked in our local supermarket car park (spaces are narrow at the best of times!) and someone parked next to me just as i was coming back to the car - His wife looked at me, smiled, pointed at my HUGE belly and promptly made her husband park elsewhere so I could get back in!

applesvpears · 16/02/2016 16:54

I think it is perfectly acceptable. I have not done it myself but I know most decent people would not begrudge a struggling pregnant lady the space. And reference kids getting run over surely the parents are responsible for ensuring that doesn't happen and actually they can get run over anywhere including when parking in a parent space.

Bejeena · 16/02/2016 19:34

Well no perhaps not not going anywhere, but I really did not want to be on my feet unless I had to last time at 36 weeks, although I did have the baby at 36+3 so maybe that is why

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