If I could go back in time and change one habit of mine, I’d tell 16 year old Square Piece to park farther away from the entrances of public establishments.
What I didn’t know until a few evenings ago is that sometimes there are people who (1) have stood all day, who (2) have worked all day, who (3) have aching feet and legs, who (4) are experiencing back pain that is worse when seated in the car, who (5) are four and a half months pregnant and who (6) are feeling kinda depressed about needing to hunt down support hose who juuuuuuuust miiiiiiiight appreciate parking closer to the mall entrance than I would.
Now, I can’t be too condescending and judgmental about perfectly healthy individuals who scope out prime parking spots, because I certainly have never been the exception. You’d have to call me a hypocrite if I pretended like I couldn’t recall being one of “them.”
All I know – and this *may* have been hormonally influenced – is that when I saw a man my age beat me to a parking spot that might have been five spaces closer than mine, I. Wanted. To. Cry. Granted, it only took me an extra ten seconds to walk the difference, but those were ten miserable, woe-is-me filled seconds. (I mean, seriously, what if those extra, pavement-pounding steps are the ones that cement my varicose veins?!)
Anyhow.
Now I’m stuck somewhere in the middle. Do I park farther away for the sake of the even more pregnant women? The even more emotionally distraught basket cases? Or do I take advantage of a few more weeks of self-entitlement?
One thing is for sure, I’m still too insecure to succumb to the judgement that I might receive in the Babies-R-Us parking lot. No matter how many signs they post in the best parking spots for “expecting mothers,” until I look like I’m really, really, really obviously expecting, I’m caged by the insecurity of someone seeing me and thinking that I’m taking the best spots from the poor, little pregnant ladies.
How twisted is that? I want to park closer everywhere else except the one place that ushers me right to the front.
Wow, I did not know they had parking spaces like that at Babies-R-Us! I will pray that you find parking spots closer and no need to feel guilty about it cause there will be no one else who needs it …. as well as continue to pray that your back gets better. Keep stretching! and for goodness sakes, go see the chiro!
I found out that you can apply for a temporary disabled card to get the disabled spots while pregnant. I found this out at week 39 two days before my leave started. Had I known, I would have been barking down the DMV’s walls. Girl, park in that spot and give the man a good glare as you pass by!!!!! 😉
I’m one of those people that get annoyed when I’m riding with someone and they drive around and around waiting for a near parking spot…I almost always park in the back…..except for babies r us….my babies r us parking for expecting mothers are ALWAYS empty so….I still park in them;)
Oh bummer! I wish I knew about the special parking thing with DMV. I feel for you Suzy. maybe if you can try to go shopping with Brian. There is a redskins store not too far from motherhood maternity. (wink) have him drive up to the curb drop you off and then park and the same thing when you are leaving. As for me. I have had a few putty moments as I am 31 weeks pregnant and have a 17 month old and some sixteen year old gets a close spot and I have to park way out there and then waddle past them in the store. But I too was a teenage that was lazy and only thought of myself. When I’m not pregnant I try to do a pay it forward to the possibility that I freed up a spot for a pregnant woman that I’m sure is way more thankful for it than I would be non pregnant.
Remember safety, ladies… Do not park too far away when you are by yourself!
Oh and Burlington coat factory, and some Shoppers have the expectant mothers/mothers with small children spots.
I love the expectant mothers spots BUT my pet peeve is they are still the same size and not wider. So wahoo i got to park closer, but still struggled to get out of the car bc i couldnt fling the door open wide enough.
my chiro (wonderful with pregnancies) is near Nordstrom Rack http://www.cascadeschiro.com/ He is a team chiro for the redskins, so Brian will like that!
Take care and be thankful you don’t live in Germany where there are NO parking spaces at doctor’s offices!
Thanks, Margaret. I tried someone last month and I’m going to try her again (she’s got lots of positive experience working w/pregnant women). But if she doesn’t feel like a great fit, I’ll check your people out.
Oh Suzy, I can totally relate – I struggle now as the mom who has to trek across the entire lot with four kids – and I feel so sorry for myself when a spry young guy or girl who’s traveling all by him/herself pops into a spot right up front. I think (and sometimes say out loud, being a great example of Christlike love to my kids), “Don’t you know I’ve got four small people with me?!”
Now, I feel convicted not thinking about the people who are in actual, physical pain. Ha! Thanks 🙂
Don’t care what people think. You are taking care of yourself by using that parking space that has your name on it!!!!!!!!!!
You know, I reeeallllly do understand though!
That is some sad irony!
Awww Sue… I’m sorry that your veins are causing you so much grief. At least you’re half way there! I’m glad that you are doing this before I had a chance to get preggo. I think that I will hold off indefinitely. Between your aversions to food, the vein thing and everything in between… being pregnant sounds like a nuisance. 😛
Weight Watcher’s teaches members to park in a distant spot to get the additional exercise of walking. I do try to do except when my old legs are killing me. Suzanna, you should absolutely give yourself permission to park in any space marked for people with children. Don’t get the guilts. Instead, realize you are keeping yourself well for baby. You know you wouldn’t even consider taking advantage in a normal circumstance, so even the fact you are craving the spaces, means you should use.
Girl you are so funny. Let yourself relax and enjoy close parking. I will be praying for front row parking everytime you need it.