The parent parking spot
When that first smudge of a bump starts to show, you get excited. And, you see those signs that say “reserved for expectant moms” parking spot.Â
Yes, I’m pregnant (this is hypothetical. No, I’m not really pregnant…confusing, right?). Now I don’t have to walk the parking lot into the store. Woot.
Wait. There are no cart returns near these “reserved” spots. Similarly, there are no cart returns near the handicapped spots.Â
You quickly realize as a parent, and a shopper, and somebody that will likely need to return a card after unloading your purchased goods that walking back to the store, or to a cart return once you get the kids out, well, it isn’t really an option at all! (I win for longest run-on sentence!)
So, you end up hoping and praying for your ideal parking spot when you pull into any parking lot. There are usually four on each side of them.Â
Yes, the ideal parent with kids parking spot is the one right next to the cart return. I just can’t leave my cart in the middle of the parking lot near the “parking for parents” sign. I must return it to it’s home.Â
And, I won’t leave my kiddos in the car to return the cart. So if there isn’t a close space open, we unload the cart, walk to the cart return and walk back to the car.Â
Yep, being a mom is tough. And I certainly don’t mind the exercise. But, I do wish that the “parent parking” spots were right by the cart returns. Walking with a kid or multiple kids through a parking lot is sometimes like playing a game of Frogger.
While we’re at it. I wish they would leave a couple carts in those cart returns so when I part, I can scoop one up to bring into the store.
Where is your ideal parking spot?
AND, they should leave the cool carts there – the ones that can hold up to like 12 kids! The one the Stow kids like to ride in!
Yes, yes and yes! You got everything right there. I think others have caught on though, b/c it gets harder to find one in a crowded lot.
I am with you on that…
Seems like a man must have thought up that idea — lol, that is something my mom would say…
I get annoyed when they don’t empty the cart return and they are coming OUT into the lanes… that is just crazy!!!
For me, I love the spots near the front, so I can get what I need and then we normally walk the cart back to the store… *He is 5 now, so that does make a difference 🙂
these are all excellent points especially leaving a few carts in the parking lot to be used for those arriving at the store with kids. I also try to park near the cart returns. My reasoning though is that is 1 side I don’t need to think about someone opening their door into the side of my car and scratching it.
You are so right about that. I love going to Publix where an associate comes out with you, unloads groceries and takes the cart back. Then i dont have to worry about finding a spot for it
I could go on for pages about how a parking lot should be designed. I’ll spare you the diatribe, however.
There are only a couple stores around here that have those signs; Babies R Us, one of our malls, and Best Buy. Otherwise I rarely see them. And I never park in them. Even when my kiddoes were tiny.
I think the Parent Parking spaces need to be near a crosswalk/sidewalk. I always get the bigger kids out first and have them stand on the sidewalk or curb out of traffic (where I can still see them) if it’s adjacent to the car. If not, they stand there touching the door until I can get them.
I’ve been known to make Audrey sing her song really loudly so I can hear her while I’m fussing with getting the baby into or out of the car.
I totally agree. I also like to find a spot near a cart return that is also along those midparking lot sidewalks that often go right up to the entrance. Those are the holy grail parking spots.
This is SO true! I will drive around a parking lot just to find a spot close to the car corral!