Mum and baby parking would you park there if you are expectant?

[DebzD]

I have been very lucky with this pregnancy (touch wood it will stay that way) because I have had no bad symptoms at all - not even MS. For that reason I wouldn't use the parent/child parking, but if, at any later stage something comes up that means I have mobility problems then I wouldn't hesitate to use them. It appears most shops intend them to be used by the people that need them due to their reproducing habits(!).
My closest family live over 30 mins drive away, I don't have any friends in the area (have moved recently - I do have friends!! lol) and my OH can't drive so I wouldn't really be left with many choices and would feel justified using a space that meant I was able to do shopping. The supermarkets round here have motorised buggy things you can hire in the store to help if you have mobility problems, but you can't take them out of the store so whatever reduces your suffering (if you are suffering).

I have guilt issues!! Was just about to post this, saw it says 'post quick reply' and toyed with the idea of copy/pasting into a full reply!! Oh well, one small rebellion can't hurt! Here goes........

 

[xpatchx]

Linzi the point is that you chose not to park in the spaces, even though you had it tough when you were pregnant.. but they are available for pregnant women who are in alot of discomfort... if the store is happy for this to happen then you shouldnt have a problem with it either.
Can you imagine the PR bomb that would explode if say tescos blatantly told a heavily pregnant woman to park all the way the other side (mine is a huge tesco) when she is shopping alone? They just wouldnt, not because they love us but because all hell would break loose they would look like total B**stards.. they cant do enough for me, I have to go shopping alone and they even offer to get someone else to pack my bags when they see im alone but I always refuse... They are just trying to help us out dont be grudge us because we are trying to make things easier for ourselves, why am I going to make things hard? x

That was what my Supervisor told me in one odf our parking huddles. Plenty of pregnant women or even disabled people CAN walk through a car park, CAN squeeze out of their car, and CAN struggle through, but why should they? Then again it's the same for parents with Children.
But we do get the odd few parents with a 4-5 year old who jumps out the car by themselves and walks over to the door of the shop without their parents even taking their hand. I don't see why they need the extra space, but I always make sure to offer them a hand if needed.

Although Maternity leave was a godsend, no more standing in the rain directing people to parking!!

 

[xpatchx]

Nobody here is stopping you are they.....if you think you're doing the right thing then why are you going on and on "justifying" yourself

Not wanting to cause a fuss, but it's the same for those who think what they're doing is wrong. They're going on and on justifying why people SHOULDN'T do it. Opinions will always fight their way against opposing opinions.

Just glad I get the bus!! Even then I get yelled at for taking up too much room on my seat when someone wants to get on. Not my fault my hips are the size of a car =(

 

[Linzi]

Linzi the point is that you chose not to park in the spaces, even though you had it tough when you were pregnant.. but they are available for pregnant women who are in alot of discomfort... if the store is happy for this to happen then you shouldnt have a problem with it either.
Can you imagine the PR bomb that would explode if say tescos blatantly told a heavily pregnant woman to park all the way the other side (mine is a huge tesco) when she is shopping alone? They just wouldnt, not because they love us but because all hell would break loose they would look like total B**stards.. they cant do enough for me, I have to go shopping alone and they even offer to get someone else to pack my bags when they see im alone but I always refuse... They are just trying to help us out dont be grudge us because we are trying to make things easier for ourselves, why am I going to make things hard? x

Then good for you! If they are ok for you to do it & you feel comfortable then great. Why do you have to justify yourself to me?

Also when I was pregnant I didnt make myself suffer as I said in a previous post, I went to work when I wasnt signed off sick & that was it. I didnt make myself go shopping as I was lucky enough to have a family & husband to help out and I simply dont think I could have managed.

If you or anyone else is happy parking there than its fine, you dont need to keep justifying yourself. Im still not going to agree with you, but it doesnt mean either of us are wrong does it?

As I said above my problem I have is that I worry about having to put my son down to dash out in the road when we're parked miles away from the store. So I am purely worried for his safety rather than how a pregnant lady manages to get out of her car.

Think we should all just to agree to disagree?

 

[Tasha]

People are saying be considerate to the woman 8 months pregnant, huge with SPD (just an example) but what about the consideration to the Mum who now doesnt have a Parent and Child space and has newborn twins, or a 2 month old baby and a 2 year old, or 4 children, I could go on but you see my point, where was the consideration for them?

 

[littleone2010]

Nobody here is stopping you are they.....if you think you're doing the right thing then why are you going on and on "justifying" yourself

its allowed, so ofcourse im doing the right thing. I am not trying to justify myself but give my point of view, (as you are!!) I would feel pretty mean if i was you having a go at pregnant women simply because I already have a baby or child that is born...if it didnt bother you, you wouldnt keep replying. Unfortunately I started this thread and while I will happily be fair to mothers with children, they refuse to do the same thing in return, so therfore I feel I have to make my point to protect the interests if pregnant women that are struggling. Thanks

 

[Faerie]

I have seen a lot of debates on BnB and this is the first time I've got so mad! Urgh.
I have a baby, but I currently see myself as able-bodied. I needed that p&c place much more when I was pregnant than I do now. I often park far away from the store just because it's the first place I come to. Doesn't mean someone with a baby of the same age shouldn't park in a p&c place if they feel they need it.
And with this pregnancy, if I feel ok then I shall carry on parking away (obviously can now use the spaces regardless anyway), but as I said before I would never begrudge a pregnant lady taking up the space. Can't stand this "well I had x,y and z and I didn't use it" attitude.

 

[MikaylasMummy]

i dont think its the right thing to do i never did when i was pregnant its good for you to get a little excersise cos you will need to be as fit as possible when you give birth..when you have your gorgeous little bundle out i think youl see what i mean!!
babies and kids(toddlers escpecially) are HEAVY!!!they squirm and wriggle..are VERY hard to wrench out of the car with no extra door opening space..then youv got the pram and you need to put it at the side of the car in a safe space while your putting bubs in..i think those spots should purely be for parents with young kids/prams..
sorry =)

 

[Faerie]

Nobody here is stopping you are they.....if you think you're doing the right thing then why are you going on and on "justifying" yourself

Because it's a debate

 

[littleone2010]

I have seen a lot of debates on BnB and this is the first time I've got so mad! Urgh.
I have a baby, but I currently see myself as able-bodied. I needed that p&c place much more when I was pregnant than I do now. I often park far away from the store just because it's the first place I come to. Doesn't mean someone with a baby of the same age shouldn't park in a p&c place if they feel they need it.
And with this pregnancy, if I feel ok then I shall carry on parking away (obviously can now use the spaces regardless anyway), but as I said before I would never begrudge a pregnant lady taking up the space. Can't stand this "well I had x,y and z and I didn't use it" attitude.

Yes! Even though im heavily pregnant IF i felt fine I WOULD always park in a normal place, but I dont, therefore they make them available to us too and people have a huge problem with it, I just dont understand it.

 

[lizzieandzara]

Can't stand this "well I had x,y and z and I didn't use it" attitude.

Me neither, sad isn't it.

 

[EternalRose]

Im so indifferent about this topic its untrue but Ill throw in my two cents worth. I would never EVER begrudge a heavily pregnant woman on crutches, riddled with spd & sciatica a Mother & Baby space. I can not believe people would even treat someone this way and we wonder why we are living in a society where its all about me me me?! Seriously, no one gives a damn about anyone anymore!...Jeez I would quite happily give her my space and I would do that even when I have had my baby and I will park somewhere else. The people that are so opposed to people parking in a space make me wonder whether you do everything ELSE in your life by the book. IF I was on crutches and the only space that was available was the mother and baby I would take it, and I defy anyone that would come up to me and tell me to move! Im fiery at the best of times x x x

 

[Faerie]

I have seen a lot of debates on BnB and this is the first time I've got so mad! Urgh.
I have a baby, but I currently see myself as able-bodied. I needed that p&c place much more when I was pregnant than I do now. I often park far away from the store just because it's the first place I come to. Doesn't mean someone with a baby of the same age shouldn't park in a p&c place if they feel they need it.
And with this pregnancy, if I feel ok then I shall carry on parking away (obviously can now use the spaces regardless anyway), but as I said before I would never begrudge a pregnant lady taking up the space. Can't stand this "well I had x,y and z and I didn't use it" attitude.

Yes! Even though im heavily pregnant IF i felt fine I WOULD always park in a normal place, but I dont, therefore they make them available to us too and people have a huge problem with it, I just dont understand it.

Oh and when I said "when I was pregnant" I meant with Sofia, obviously pregnant again at the moment too.

 

[Missy86]

ok your gonna shot me for this but hear goes

This thread was set up in 3rd tri and was titled would you park in these spaces if you were expecting.

Why has it been taken over by people who have already had there babies

 

[Faerie]

Im so indifferent about this topic its untrue but Ill throw in my two cents worth. I would never EVER begrudge a heavily pregnant woman on crutches, riddled with spd & sciatica a Mother & Baby space. I can not believe people would even treat someone this way and we wonder why we are living in a society where its all about me me me?! Seriously, no one gives a damn about anyone anymore!...Jeez I would quite happily give her my space and I would do that even when I have had my baby and I will park somewhere else. The people that are so opposed to people parking in a space make me wonder whether you do everything ELSE in your life by the book. IF I was on crutches and the only space that was available was the mother and baby I would take it, and I defy anyone that would come up to me and tell me to move! Im fiery at the best of times x x x

Ha ha, yep, I tell you I'd have put my crutches to a different use!

 

[littleone2010]

I just said Its allowed by the store so why would need to justify myself? this is a debate i am making my points as you are. You dont have anything relevant to say and are now asking why I am justifying myself? I am only replying as all the meanie mummies wont stop having a go!

 

[DebzD]

I have seen a lot of debates on BnB and this is the first time I've got so mad! Urgh.
I have a baby, but I currently see myself as able-bodied. I needed that p&c place much more when I was pregnant than I do now. I often park far away from the store just because it's the first place I come to. Doesn't mean someone with a baby of the same age shouldn't park in a p&c place if they feel they need it.
And with this pregnancy, if I feel ok then I shall carry on parking away (obviously can now use the spaces regardless anyway), but as I said before I would never begrudge a pregnant lady taking up the space. Can't stand this "well I had x,y and z and I didn't use it" attitude.

Would I be right in thinking that because you park further away, you actually get more room to try to manouvre prams etc as the majority of people will try to park as close as possible? Meaning you probably end up better off than if you used the p+c spaces?

 

[xpatchx]

ok your gonna shot me for this but hear goes

This thread was set up in 3rd tri and was titled would you park in these spaces if you were expecting.

Why has it been taken over by people who have already had there babies

I noticed it was a tiny bit biased with the women with children voting no, pregnant women voting yes. I guess everyone'll always have the opinion due to how they experience the subject -shrugs-

 

[Linzi]

ok your gonna shot me for this but hear goes

This thread was set up in 3rd tri and was titled would you park in these spaces if you were expecting.

Why has it been taken over by people who have already had there babies

Sorry clearly must have misunderstood the whole idea of a forum.

Im stepping out of this one.

Wait til you have to deal with a disappearing toddler because theres no P&C spaces though & you might realise why Im upset about this.

 

[Faerie]

I have seen a lot of debates on BnB and this is the first time I've got so mad! Urgh.
I have a baby, but I currently see myself as able-bodied. I needed that p&c place much more when I was pregnant than I do now. I often park far away from the store just because it's the first place I come to. Doesn't mean someone with a baby of the same age shouldn't park in a p&c place if they feel they need it.
And with this pregnancy, if I feel ok then I shall carry on parking away (obviously can now use the spaces regardless anyway), but as I said before I would never begrudge a pregnant lady taking up the space. Can't stand this "well I had x,y and z and I didn't use it" attitude.

Would I be right in thinking that because you park further away, you actually get more room to try to manouvre prams etc as the majority of people will try to park as close as possible? Meaning you probably end up better off than if you used the p+c spaces?

Exactly Makes life much easier. I either get out, get her pram out and then put her in the pram or put the sling on and put her in the sling and then walk to the trolleys. When she was smaller I would keep her in the sling, now she likes being in the trolley and showing off to everyone