Oh, so it's official . . . we finally used our first "stork parking" spot, or parking reserved for expectant mothers. While at Babies'R'Us yesterday, I was finally convinced to pull into the pregnancy parking space right up front. There are only 2 stores we know about that have these spaces: every Babies'R'Us store we have ever been to, and the Schnucks grocery store on The Hill (why there, I'm not sure . . . and we did try parking in their "stork parking," but someone else had beat us to the punch).
In doing some serious research on "stork parking" (you know, grueling time spent in the dusty stacks of the instantaneous Google search), I found out that these spaces--unlike handicapped parking--are not enforceable by the police. So, I guess that means that you all can park there too . . . if you're willing to face the wrath of a pregnant woman who latches on to your bumper as you pull away and won't let go until you arrive several hours later at home, at which time she kicks your *bleep*. And don't even try to take a "stork spot" from us (in fact, while recently at Schnucks, the car in the "stork" space seemed a bit suspect, so it got some rude glares from both of us).
Finally, my in-depth Google research brought me (as always) to a very interesting perspective on the whole "stork parking" issue--and, here, I didn't even realize it was an "issue." But that was before I read the response from the Feminist Mormon Housewives Association, where pregnancy parking is a "pet peeve." But you know what, the feminist Mormons make more sense than this dude from the Jewish World Review. My favorite line of his is: "if a woman is so very pregnant that she needs to park as close as possible to the shopping mall, maybe she shouldn't be driving a car or going to the shopping mall at all. Maybe she should be off her feet, staying at home and resting."
If you're getting more interested in this "issue," feel free to continue reading here, at the blog State of the Qusan, who has links and comments on the issue.
Hmmm, I think that Jewish World Review guy is on to something (even if he was joking)--they SHOULD keep a bathroom stall open just for pregnant women! You don't know how many times I've been tempted to barge ahead in line because I've needed to go "RIGHT NOW." :)
ReplyDeleteSeriously, though, the Feminist Mormon has a point about the need for spots for parent-and-child cars. Apparently countries in Europe already have spots reserved for parent.
I think the parking for parents with young kids is much more needed than stork parking...if nothing more than to help dissuade people from leaving kids in their car for "just a minute". Ick, too many sad stories.
ReplyDelete