Parking the mum-mobile without a parent & child space.

Harriet Shearsmith - 1 Dec 15

When I first had Reuben it was a bit of a novelty to park in the parent and child parking spaces, it’s not something I’d done before, but boy did it make a difference to getting him in and out of the car. Now that I have three kids, if we are all together it is damned near impossible to get out of the car without the extra space. Roo will fling open the front passenger seat as he climbs over, denting anything in his path if I don’t watch him, I can’t get the baby seat out and it’s so difficult to get Toby out as he is in an extended tea facing seat, so I can’t twist it and lift him down in a cramped space.

Last week I had to visit the local Asda to grab some bits and bobs on the way home. Low and behold there were absolutely no parent and child spaces, only disabled left. I highly doubt the super sleek sports car that was absent of baby seats needed to be parked in the front bay but hey, maybe they were collecting their child… From Narnia. Still, I just drove around the corner to where the furthest bays were and pulled across two spaces. Now before you all cringe too much, this used to irritate the hell out of me, until I read a post about issues with car seats and the lack of parent and child spaces. The lady on the thread stated that she sad more than happy to park at the back of the car park (which is where I think parent and child slots should be, then no one would want them!!) and she parked double – so across the two spaces, effectively making her own parent child space. I was amazed by the amount of people saying what a good idea it was.. Until I got to the supermarket and there was nowhere to park where I could actually get my kids out. So I did it! And as a result I received a note on the car from Asda park supervisors telling me that the parking was in violation of their courteous code of conduct for parking, and could I please refrain from doing so again.

I understand the point of view, of course I do, but what would they suggest I do if I can’t get my extremely overloaded, practically-a-bus car into the space provided and some asshat (who is collecting their child inside from Narnia, remember?) has parked in the spot allocated me because it’s ‘closer’ and they are ‘nipping in’? This is a big part of why I think parent child needs to be in an ‘undesirable location’ however some argue the purpose is not just that parent and child spaces are bigger, but also the whole point is that they are closer to make it safer for kids in the car park. Sigh.

I really don’t know what to do. I’m anticipating a snide note from someone who thinks I’m a car park twat who found her license at the bottom of a cereal pack, or verbal abuse from someone who has no clue what they are talking about. What do you do in these situations?

H x

– See more from Harriet at: http://www.tobyandroo.com

Harriet Shearsmith

My name is Harriet, I am a mama to three wonderful kiddos, living in the North of England - though I'd really rather be in the South where things actually happen. I am a serious purveyor of all things boutique or stylish for children and I have a fundamental need to share this obsession with people on my blog Toby&Roo. I'm addicted to costa caramel lattes and chilli - though not at the same time, obvs. Oh, and I sometimes use the term obvs... sorry about that.

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