This is a ranty post and I make no apologies for it. Sometimes things bother me, I have a wee grumble, shrug it off and go about my day but not today. To be honest, today wasn't the first time it has happened this week and I'm sure it won't be the last time.....
Parent and toddler parking spaces, the clue is in the name, they are for PARENTS with TODDLERS!!! Not lazy douches that can't be arsed to walk the length of themselves to get their ciggies and Redbull.
At our local Sainsburys there are a fair amount of parent and child parking spaces but there never seems to be enough and that's because people without children regularly park in them. Now, some of you might think I am over reacting, it's only a parking space, park somewhere else.....well you're wrong. Those spaces are created to help make things easier for parents, its difficult enough getting your kids in and out of their car seats when you're able to open the door wide but try doing it when you have to park in an average sized space with a car either side of you and can only get an arm in to release your kid from his seat and somehow squeeze him out through the small gap all while trying not to hit the car beside you. Then there is the fun job of herding said toddlers across a busy car park, dodging runaway trolleys and OAP drivers who can't see over the steering wheel.
The other day we watched two, perfectly able, grown women park in a space clearly labelled for us grumpy mums and their monsters. We had to park the other side of the car park in a 'normal' space. I watched them leave their car and casually wonder to the cash point WITHOUT A FLIPPIN' KID! If you know me, you'll also know that I am not afraid to confront people (much to hubby's horror). So I approached these clueless dumbasses, monster in arms, and politely informed the driver that she had parked in the only available parent and toddler space and as a result I have had to park somewhere else. Did she care?......Did she *$*k!!! I wasn't expecting her to rush back to her car and move it for me, nor for her to drop to her knees and beg for forgiveness, all I was hoping for was a wee sorry, I maybe would have taken a lame excuse but no.....nothing, just a shrug. ARGH!!! If I was the violent type (or didn't have my hands full carrying the monster) I would have had an overwhelming urge to flatten her! It was her lucky day and she walked away with her face in tact.
Fast forward to today, the same thing happened, one space left and some lazy toe-rag and her hubby zip into it. I watched....out got hubby who walked alone in to the shop, then out hopped wifey....*ok bitch, you better open that back door and get a kid out*...she opens the rear passenger door and lifts out her HANDBAG!!! Her frickin' handbag! So I decide to introduce myself, point out her error and do you know what she did......she lied to my face....apparently hubby was already inside with the kid. *Raises one eyebrow* nice try love, I'm not as stupid as you look. I told her I seen her husband sans child, she got all flustered and disappeared. We seen them wandering around the supermarket with their imaginary child, I bit my tongue and gave out death stares instead.
I know it shouldn't bother me so much, but it does and I know I am not the only one that gets riled when things like this happen. Out of curiosity, I am going to drop Sainsbury's an email to see how they monitor these things and what they think the best course of action should be, otherwise what is the point in having dedicated spaces if everyone is using them. I know there is no legal obligation, or whatever, when it comes to parking in parent and toddler spaces but its out of courtesy that these spaces are left available for those who really need them. Would they park in a disabled space?! Actually, they probably would! It's not like there are no other spaces close to the store, that's not the main reason we parents need dedicated spaces, it's the size of the space itself.
*and breeeaathee*
Rant over
What are your experiences with parent and toddler parking? Have you ever felt the urge to take someone down because they pinched the last parking space?!
Does your local supermarket monitor who parks in dedicated spaces?
x
