Using parent and child spaces when heavily pregnant

jellyhead

We're not all like that though

I do chat outside the school gates but we always move to let people through, and smile while doing so. My husband didn't lose the ability to drive properly when he became a father.

I don't drive, and in my personal experience the scariest time to cycle is during the school run. It's scary enough just trying to cross a road as a pedestrian, or walk across an alleyway that shouldn't even have cars using it.

POPPYOSCAR

DUTR wrote: »

Just like the guy that had to do the hard work in the 1st place.

Hard work??????????????
:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

theoldcynic

codemonkey wrote: »

Can I ask a question about these parent and child spaces that has always bugged me. Is there some forcefield around them that makes using your mirrors /looking behind you impossible? The number of times I've almost been hit or seen someone else having to dash out of the way because someone has just reversed out without bothering to check that the way is clear and it seems to happen most often with the p&c spaces.

I always thought it was because they were too busy using their mirrors to shout/talk at their kids or see what the hell all the arguing/noise was about rather than for reversing....:D

POPPYOSCAR

If all car parks were sensibly designed like those at Costco and places like Lakeside, there would be no need for this discussion.

Most other car parks are designed as if all the cars are Minis!!

dizziblonde

codemonkey wrote: »

Can I ask a question about these parent and child spaces that has always bugged me. Is there some forcefield around them that makes using your mirrors /looking behind you impossible? The number of times I've almost been hit or seen someone else having to dash out of the way because someone has just reversed out without bothering to check that the way is clear and it seems to happen most often with the p&c spaces.

Actually, I pass a school on my commute to work and I'm actually starting to wonder if being a parent means that you lose your ability to drive because it is actually like Wacky Races, made especially dangerous by the parents who walk three abreast with their pushchairs and refuse to allow anyone to pass and the gaggle of parents talking right outside of the school gates/on the corner who refuse to move to allow anyone through, meaning sometimes it is necessary to step out onto the road.

Earlier this week in Asda two cars on either side of the "lane" of parking spaces just ahead of me both hit reverse at exactly the same time, neither of them looking where they were going and just went straight back into each other. I did giggle a bit at the sheer stupidity of it and would love to see the insurance claim forms on that one.

k12479

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

If all car parks were sensibly designed like those at Costco and places like Lakeside, there would be no need for this discussion.

The problem is that cars have got much bigger. Making spaces in existing car parks larger would mostly result in fewer spaces, so not really a solution. People buying cars that are more appropriately sized for their needs however, may be a solution.

fluffnutter

It's been mentioned already about the 'typical' car that uses P&C parking. I've just returned from my local Waitrose (which only has three P&C spaces). Together in a row were some sort of Toyota people carrier, another people carrier of indiscriminate manufacture, and a Porsche Cayenne. All massive cars! My little saloon parked next to them was absolutely dwarfed

tiamai_d

codemonkey wrote: »

Can I ask a question about these parent and child spaces that has always bugged me. Is there some forcefield around them that makes using your mirrors /looking behind you impossible? The number of times I've almost been hit or seen someone else having to dash out of the way because someone has just reversed out without bothering to check that the way is clear and it seems to happen most often with the p&c spaces.

Actually, I pass a school on my commute to work and I'm actually starting to wonder if being a parent means that you lose your ability to drive because it is actually like Wacky Races, made especially dangerous by the parents who walk three abreast with their pushchairs and refuse to allow anyone to pass and the gaggle of parents talking right outside of the school gates/on the corner who refuse to move to allow anyone through, meaning sometimes it is necessary to step out onto the road.

I wouldn't know, I learned to drive after I popped out my first two. They must have been so in awe of my amazing reproductive abilities when they gave me my licence.

fluffnutter wrote: »

It's the rise of the Muffia isn't it? Basically since the 60s when contraception became freely available, having children has become a choice. Once something becomes a choice it comes with a whole load of justifications. Before contraception was available, there was nothing special about having children because that's just what women did. Nowadays, women can choose not to. They can concentrate on other things like a career, or simply remain childfree.

Don't get me wrong - feminism is my favourite invention, but I've often thought that the ability to choose whether to have children or not, albeit a positive thing, gives rise in Western societies to the 'Career Mother'. Essentially someone who feels they've sacrificed other elements of their life to become a mother. This gives rise to two things, one more positive than the other... 1. The idea that if they've chosen to do it they're going to do it well (great) and also 2. They should have respect and acknowledgement for doing so (not so great). This latter feeling can also be tinged with resentment, particularly from women who've been used to having a fair amount of power in the workplace.

Hence you have a certain type of woman who's constantly aware of what she's given up to have children and she's damned sure you're going to know about it. If that means she wants special treatment, then you better jump to it. That means she gets to drive the way she likes, she gets to stand in your way whilst outside the school, she gets to ram her pushchair into the back of your ankles whilst you're doing your weekly shop. After all, look what she's given up! Respect her! She's a mother!

You've got a right little bee up your butt about people having children haven't you?

Still at least it means you've got a hobby.

anon123456

actually i would agree wholeheartedly with both of the quoted comments.

But you are generalising he was specifying.. BIG difference

Taadaa

I will park in them if one is available and it makes my life easier - am 21 weeks. I have got a bad back now and quite a big bump, I struggle to get out of the car. I wouldn't give a fig if someone told me I can't park there, they can't enforce it. I would never park in a disabled space though, although again they can't enforce it in a supermarket car park.