Being Pregnant
Stork Parking, Anyone?
My view in the grocery store parking lot yesterday.
Yesterday was a humid, hot and blustery day. And a busy one, too. In an effort to beat the clock and make it home in time for my son Oscar’s nap (timing is everything with this kid), I raced to the grocery store for a few staples I had let run out, yet again.
I dread this errand. I don’t like grocery shopping in the first place, but during this pregnancy, it’s the one thing that is guaranteed to bring on a case of the dry heaves. The thought of it alone can bring on some dry heaves, if you want to know the truth.
I pulled into the parking lot and circled a few times, hand over mouth. Of course there were a few spacious Bermuda Triangle spots, but lucky for me, Oscar is in a stage where he thinks he needs to be carried. Lately I either have to oblige (hello back pain) or let him throw a mini tantrum on the asphalt, which isn’t especially safe nor convenient.
And then I saw a spot. And not just any spot, a good spot—like twenty-feet-away-from-the-entrance good. My heart sank when I saw a marker at the stall’s foot. But then, oh glory!, it started singing: Parking for expectant mothers or parents of infants. It felt a little like a godsend.
At that moment, I loved my Martin’s grocery store. I’ve also heard of this “Stork Parking” at places like Babies-R-Us, Target, Home Depot, and even Red Lobster, though I can’t verify any. And some cities have attempted to pass bills that would set aside an allotted amount of stalls for expectant women.
In doing some reading, I saw that my source of momentary joy was also a source of conflict for many. While I think it’s might be more sensible to offer “young family” parking, some have commented that they don’t appreciate pregnancy considered as a disability (even if you’re on bedrest?), while others say it’s insensitive to women who are hoping for children but haven’t been able to conceive. I can’t say I disagree.
I can’t decide if we should fight for better options (anyone else want a spot closer to the cart-return area?) or if we should just be happy the “courtesy” is extended at all.
What do you think? Is Stork Parking appreciated or annoying?
Go Back To Being Pregnant
9 Comments
Nay commented on Jul 07 11 at 12:46 pmBeing opposed to stork parking for the sake of women with fertility issues? What? That be like saying it’s insensitive for a store to have a children’s/baby section. If the store has an infant section, there should be no problem in that regard. Pregnancy is a physical challenge. And it’s better for every one if small children aren’t walking across the entire parking lot.
DeathMetalMommy commented on Jul 07 11 at 12:53 pmWe have two Stork Spaces at our mall and I adore them. What I don’t love is seeing some twenty year old guy in a pick-up truck parking there, or a gaggle full of teenage girls. Though, sadly, who’s to say those girls aren’t pregnant nowadays? It takes all I’ve got not to key their cars. And God help them if they happen to be getting in or out when I am nearby.
Emily S. commented on Jul 07 11 at 12:54 pmWhile I certainly don’t see it as a necessity, it certainly is nice when you’re 8 months pregnant in the middle of July, and the 100+ degree days go on and on and on, I certainly appreciate it! When my hips are aching and my feet are swelling I consider using the “Parents with Young Children” parking, but still don’t think the fetus quite counts in that regard.
KateTietje commented on Jul 07 11 at 1:43 pmIt’s usually only a spot or two, unless you’re talking about babies’r'us or another place that is primarily baby-related (thus, a LOT of expectant mothers would go). I don’t see how one or two spots is that much inconvenience to anyone else. I took advantage of stork parking awhile back when i was about 6 months pregnant and had both my kids with me, in the rain. It was very nice. I know some say it’s not a disability, you chose to get that way (maybe) and so on, but, seriously? What is wrong with extending courtesy to women who ARE in a more challenging than usual time of life?
Jamie commented on Jul 07 11 at 4:39 pmI adore stork parking. Though you make a good point…sometimes it would be nice to be closer to the cart corral.
Don’t forget Ikea with their family friendly parking…they’ve got heaps of it!
Britt C. commented on Jul 07 11 at 8:27 pmMy favorite was a parking spot sign for expectant mothers in the Baskin Robbins parking lot in Toledo, Ohio. They totally had my business.
Kate commented on Jul 10 11 at 8:49 pmI wish more places had the parking for families with infants.. much harder walk than when I was pregnant! And I must say, the pregnant parking is quite important in the winter when the parking lot is icy.
Lisa H. commented on Jul 11 11 at 2:09 pmI have to say that as someone who has struggled with infertility for years (5), I do hate these spots. I pulled into one at Ikea a couple of years ago. I was on all kinds of fertility meds and had just been through a very painful, invasive procedure that left me drained and in a lot of pain. When I saw the sign in front of the spot, I started crying. Maybe those of you who have never been through this can never quite understand it, but when you’re going through IVF and other procedures every little reminder like this is absolutely heartbreaking. I see how the spots are helpful, just wanted to give another perspective.
Symantha commented on Oct 09 11 at 11:36 pmI’ve been on both sides. We tried for 14 yrs to conceive; drugs, temp checking… etc. But with all that said we finally had our daughter and with no help from the drugs, all natural conception. I was always jealous of others for being able to have children but I have always thought that special parking for expectant mothers and parents with small children was a good idea. Women choose to have babies but that doesn’t mean that they should have to walk from BFE to get into the store because inconsiderate people/teenagers take up 2 spots (because they don’t know how to park-Don’t get me started on how most people are too stupid to know how to park). If there were cart returns by the special spots that would make them even better. I have had carts roll away after I took the carseat out and put it into the car, and I’m not leaving my baby in the car alone to run after a stray cart.
I vote to do both: special spots for pregnant women or families w/ small children and then cart returns by the parking.
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