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A Parking Spot Only A Parent Could Love

June 11, 2014 by amushro

Because kids tend to eat food and inevitably that food will run out, you’re gonna need to go back to the grocery store at some point. Sigh, here we go again.

Even though you swore you would NEVER be the mother that feeds her kids while shopping, by the time the cashier is asking you “paper or plastic,” 40% of your food has already been nibbled or sampled by the tiny humans in your cart. Just surviving the grocery store with kids in tow is hard enough, and if you’ve successfully navigated the Big Bad Grocery Store, the parking lot should be a piece of cake. But we know that’s not the case. So let me make your trip to grab some grub a little easier with…

Parking spot

The parking spot deemed for “new and expectant moms” seems like a gem in the jungle known as the grocery store parking lot, but that light dims out for most of us pretty quickly when we are no longer expectant or new at this gig. Oh yes, there are moms that push the limits and lay claim to this spot even when they no longer look like they should be in the delivery room or are carting the infant carrier that weights 10 times the infant inside. I’m looking at you lady with the teenagers!

While I cannot even begin to imagine the trials and tribulations you are going through with your hormonal, eye rolling, One Direction lovin’ babe on the brink of puberty, unless you are going to strap that tween into an Ergo and wear her through the store, get out of that spot.

But for those of us whose time has passed in the coveted spot near the door but still have to deal with the wide load, double car cart, come on over to my side and let me show you my “sweet spot.”

Fav spot

Sometimes I can hear my Dad barking at me “Don’t park next to the cart corral because some idiot is going to hit you.” Well, Dad, I’m sure those cart wielding idiots will do a lot less damage to my car than my children do weekly to my sanity while grocery shopping.

Dings and dents are aplenty on my sweet ride but it’s no skin off my back because I was able to easily load up the kids and rush to the deli section where free samples of cheese and ham will keep the kids entertained just long enough for me to sprint through the bread and milk aisle.

Grocery shopping is hard enough with kids, your parking spot shouldn’t be. So enjoy my sweet spot. Unless I’m at the store. In that case…beat it!

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Amanda Mushro, car carts, ergo, grocery carts for kids, grocery shopping with kids, grocery store with kids, new mother parking, parenting humor, parking spots

Comments

  1. Robin (Masshole Mommy) says

    June 11, 2014 at 9:01 am

    I always park at the back of the parking lot so I have to walk more & burn a few calories along the way/

  2. Anna Whiston-Donaldson says

    June 11, 2014 at 9:06 am

    That was my fave spot, too, when my kids were younger!

    • Debbie L. says

      June 12, 2014 at 2:05 am

      Anna I still like parking by the cart corral – makes returning the cart so much easier!

  3. Annie {Stowed Stuff} says

    June 11, 2014 at 9:27 am

    Love that Chevy Traverse and I love parking near the corral – especially with four kiddos!

  4. Debbie Denny says

    June 11, 2014 at 9:33 am

    Unless I have my mom (then we park in handicap) I park near the cart corral. I think it is very handy.

  5. Virginia @thatbaldchick says

    June 11, 2014 at 9:35 am

    With three kids, ages six and under, I park by the cart corral EVERY CHANCE I GET. It’s a super sweet day when there is a cart waiting for me there.

  6. Deanna Ritz says

    June 11, 2014 at 10:06 am

    Oh yes, the sweet spot!! I love parking next to the shopping carts. It makes life so much easier. 🙂

  7. Jessica @EatSleepBe says

    June 11, 2014 at 10:58 am

    That spot definitely has the added bonus of being next to a handicapped spot too for extra room!

  8. Kay Adeola says

    June 11, 2014 at 11:12 am

    The store we always go to always have the mother and baby and handicap spots right at the front and near the cart bit but also there is other cart places around the car park which you can park next to.I do not like parking near them as people hit our car before and it annoys me that they can not be more careful plus where ever you are parked the cart bit is only a few spaces away.

  9. Ruby Ragar says

    June 11, 2014 at 11:35 am

    I can’t imagine having to deal with all of the issues that you mention but I do know the trials of finding just the right parking space. It’s so hard to find even with us non parents. I have never thought about parking next to the cart corral!

  10. Brandy says

    June 11, 2014 at 11:39 am

    I love it when that cart is right there waiting for us! I don’t use them anymore, but in the past, oh boy! I used them a lot and it made life a lot easier if they were in the corral already!

  11. Shelley says

    June 11, 2014 at 11:53 am

    Now that my kids are older, I actually avoid this spot, just for moms like you! We should design a Sweet Spot sign for moms and start posting them across the country! lol

  12. Betsy Mitchell says

    June 11, 2014 at 12:38 pm

    Nothing beats a great parking spot at the Grocery Store. I don’t care where it is or what it’s next to, but if it’s close to the door. I’m taking it!

  13. Meranda says

    June 11, 2014 at 1:51 pm

    Only one problem babe! People don’t care about hitting your car anymore. They throw their carts into the bin with no care. I remember our car being scratched from parking next to the shopping cart bin. We park almost near the back now…where there is no car on either side. I am sick of the lack of respect when people open their cars. WHAM! right into our door. Shucks! And usually it is the kids who don’t know what paying for a car means.

  14. Mitch says

    June 11, 2014 at 2:06 pm

    I’ve been in that parking area! I recognize it as the generic parking area near every supermarket I have ever been to. I love a close spot but I will not wait all morning like some do to get one!
    thanks,
    mItch

  15. Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? says

    June 11, 2014 at 2:22 pm

    Oh my goodness, yes! I alway park by the cart return no matter how far away. And when there is a handicapped space next to it with more room, even better!

  16. Carly says

    June 11, 2014 at 2:48 pm

    Ha, now that our little one is here…..I totally get the importance of a good parking spot! It makes errands a million times easier!

  17. Liz Mays says

    June 11, 2014 at 2:52 pm

    I like parking there too. It’s just so convenient and there’s no hunting for the cart corral. In the winter when there’s snow and ice on the ground, it’s even better to park next to it!

  18. Dina says

    June 11, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    Ah yes too true. It’s never a good idea to park by the carts. That worries me and I have an older car.

  19. celebbabylaundry says

    June 11, 2014 at 3:02 pm

    When it comes to parking a lot of people try to get as close as possible to the store, I don’t care where I park as long as I get into the store and grab what I need I’m happy.

  20. Giveaways 4 Mom says

    June 11, 2014 at 3:14 pm

    I never take all three boys grocery shopping with me. The store is always packed and I am lucky if I am able to get a spot somewhere other than at than the furthest away from the door possible.

  21. Elisebet F says

    June 11, 2014 at 3:41 pm

    Oh, I got a good chuckle reading this! I’ve definitely learned tips and tricks to grocery shop with my son. We’re a Navy family, and my husband’s been gone most of the last 3 years (including the last 7 months), so shopping without my toddler isn’t an option. I park by the carts, and I usually let my son snack on something before I pay for it. I always said I’d never do that too! And then I had a kid…

  22. Susanna @Zealous Mom says

    June 11, 2014 at 3:47 pm

    This cracked me up because my brother-in-law recently told me he never parks anywhere near the cart corral because he didn’t want his nice truck to get bumped. For me, this is the prime spot!

  23. Beth@FrugalFroggie says

    June 11, 2014 at 5:52 pm

    That is a sweet spot. We have one like that at a local WalMart. I look for the spot every time.

  24. Maria Oller says

    June 11, 2014 at 7:00 pm

    Great spot not only for moms with kids but for prego moms I really hate to drop the groceries then drop the car then come back all the way to the car =(

  25. Lois Alter Mark says

    June 11, 2014 at 7:33 pm

    HIlarious! I will make sure to leave that spot for you wherever I am!

  26. maria @ close tohome says

    June 11, 2014 at 8:47 pm

    I’d have to agree with your dad, i go out of the way to find a spot away from others or that has one side that wont have cars.

  27. Danielle @ We Have It All says

    June 11, 2014 at 9:10 pm

    Ha! This is hilarious, I always try to park next to the cart thingy because it’s more convenient.

  28. krystalskitsch says

    June 11, 2014 at 9:11 pm

    I always park near the corral too! My husband can’t stand it because he thinks someone will hit my car with a cart… but it’s just too convenient!

  29. TerriAnn @ Driving Mamas says

    June 11, 2014 at 9:48 pm

    I think I’ll leave that spot for you then 🙂 We always avoid it for the same reasons your dad pointed out.

  30. Theresa says

    June 11, 2014 at 9:50 pm

    I always take the first spot I see. It always amazes me how long someone will wait for the perfect spot. By the time they get it I am already in the store and halfway done with my shopping lol.

  31. Jenn The Rebel Chick says

    June 11, 2014 at 10:00 pm

    I like parking near the cart corral. It’s especially helpful if it’s raining, so you don’t have to go far to return the cart.

  32. Trisha says

    June 11, 2014 at 10:08 pm

    So true. Even when the kids aren’t with, being by the cart corral is a must if it’s raining so you can get in the car quickly.

  33. Brett says

    June 11, 2014 at 10:39 pm

    We call it the sweet spot too!!! Sing it sistah!!

  34. Trisha says

    June 11, 2014 at 11:03 pm

    What a great parking spot! I also appreciate that extra space next to the handicap spot.

  35. Pauline Cabrera says

    June 11, 2014 at 11:12 pm

    This surely is a nice spot for mother with kids! I know it’s not always, but there are just times when kids are really becoming unruly and unmanageable and that’s the time when you really appreciate parking lots like this. 🙂

  36. Veronica says

    June 12, 2014 at 12:34 am

    Lol. I love it when I find just the perfect parking spot. You did find your sweet spot

  37. Debbie L. says

    June 12, 2014 at 1:42 am

    Yep finding the right parking spot…is a great start to a shopping trip. I toto like to park by the cart corral – so much easier than walking the parking lot with the cart

  38. Danielle says

    June 12, 2014 at 2:15 am

    That is entirely the sweetest parking spot ever! Yay for little victories 😉

  39. Elizabeth Towns says

    June 12, 2014 at 5:28 am

    Even when I was preggers, or had the infant seat, I never got to park in that special spot. It was either full or the store I was at had not yet deemed it necessary to have such a spot set aside for Moms. I did try to park either as close to the front door of the store or the cart corral. I still do – even if the cart corral is 12 million miles from the front door, which I still cannot understand. Who is in charge of where, strategically, to place cart corrals when designing the parking lots of stores? I want to speak to that person.

  40. Christie says

    June 12, 2014 at 7:12 am

    This is definitely a spot for me! I always look for added handicap space so I can get the kids out without being squished!

  41. Tracey says

    June 12, 2014 at 8:11 am

    This just made me realize I will have so much more to think about when I have kids! Right now I just park anywhere and don’t think twice.

  42. Mama to 5 BLessings says

    June 12, 2014 at 9:22 am

    That is a prime spot! I have a 12 passenger van and loading 5 little ones in and out of it is a big task, I am always looking for the prime spot too!

  43. Dawn says

    June 12, 2014 at 10:11 am

    It really doesn’t matter where you park. Some idiot is still going to hit you, lol.

  44. Rosey says

    June 12, 2014 at 10:53 am

    I loved the expectant mommy parking in the final couple of months with my last little on. 🙂 I have seen single grown men parking in those spots at the mall. They have no clue the damage they’re inflicting to the expecting mom who really needs that spot. 😉

  45. Elizabeth@ Food Ramblings says

    June 12, 2014 at 11:59 am

    This parking spot is key for people with kids in tow! Definitely the sweet spot

  46. Lisa says

    June 12, 2014 at 1:23 pm

    parking spot score! We don’t have spots like that around here but I totally need to start a petition to get some! 😀

  47. StacieinAtlanta says

    June 12, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    The double cart! That thing is a must have, especially if it is decked out like a race car or fire truck.

  48. Family Travel Blogger says

    June 12, 2014 at 2:31 pm

    I would totally park there and my husband would throw a complete fit. He would much rather park in no mans land where it’s “safe”

  49. Melinda says

    June 12, 2014 at 2:45 pm

    I don’t park there just because it’s always such a tight squeeze. stores should give more Family Parking spaces

  50. Cam | Bibs and Baubles says

    June 12, 2014 at 4:14 pm

    Isn’t it amazing the things that make you happy once you’re a mom. There’s a mall her in L.A. that has parking spaces up front reserved for families with small children. LOVE!

  51. Carly Bellard says

    June 12, 2014 at 4:20 pm

    You are so right about this! I always love a spot near the cart return!

  52. April Smith Decheine says

    June 12, 2014 at 8:22 pm

    I see now parking spots for cars with small children, which is pretty cool. It is hard work getting the kids out of the car, especially in the winter.

  53. Rachael says

    June 12, 2014 at 10:24 pm

    I usually park where ever there is shade. If it’s raining, I just park the closest I can get to the store.

  54. Emily says

    June 12, 2014 at 11:13 pm

    So true! I actually love the spot directly across from it, that way it’s close enough, but my car doesn’t get dinged!

  55. MELISASource says

    June 13, 2014 at 12:01 am

    LOL I know right?! I always look for the space closest to the carts versus closest to the door!

  56. Lexie Lane says

    June 13, 2014 at 1:33 am

    I get really paranoid with dings. My husband would not be happy, that’s for sure. But I actually don’t mind parking far away because it’s just forcing me to get a little more exercise in.

  57. Mommy2jam says

    June 13, 2014 at 7:31 am

    ITs always an adventure when I go shopping with my kids. One day I will look back and miss the chaos.

  58. Toni says

    June 13, 2014 at 10:15 am

    I always always park whereever the first parking spot I can find is LOL. Unless there is a cart next to it.

  59. Tess says

    June 13, 2014 at 2:22 pm

    I have to park way out to protect my car. I’m sure thats not safe. lol

  60. Chasing Joy says

    June 13, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    I often park next to thr cart coral. Mostly because I hate having to walk to put the cart up after the car is loaded.

  61. Christina S says

    June 16, 2014 at 9:24 am

    Haha! I thought it was just me! I never parked next to the corral pre-kids, now it’s like hitting the lottery when I can park there!

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