Handicap Parking Spots
Although a self-proclaimed but proud Beta Mom, I still strive for my kids to be contributing members of the world by being conscientious of those around them and fiercely independent as well as compassionate and kind. ( Oh, and if it’s not too much to ask, I’d like them to have non-animal-like table manners so that the few times a month week we do eat out, I’m not the victim of disapproving stares from other mums, alpha or beta. ) When a teachable occasion presents itself and, more importantly I’m in the mood for motherly-lecture-love, the kids and I have discussions.
Such an occasion occurred today in the Target (aka my Chicago neighborhood Tar-ghetto) parking lot as we drove around and around looking for a parking spot. My nearly 8 year old noticed several empty spots and asked why we weren’t parking in them. I explained that those were for handicap people and we’re not, so we can’t park there. My bright 9 year old commented that we’d get a $250 ticket if we parked there because we don’t have the “little paper” hanging on our mirror that means we are handicap. Then, of course, that led to how blessed we are that we can park far away and have the physical ability to walk to the store. In fact, we don’t want to have to park in those spots.
We eventually find our spot, start walking to the store, and pass a mom with two kids who parked in a handicap spot… with, you guessed it, no “little paper” in her mirror and no handicap plates. Yes, I’m judging, god-forbid, but clearly.no.one.in.that.car.was.handicap. Now I’m met with the puzzled looks of my kids. And, of course, not wanting a teachable opportunity to go by because I was in the mood for Super Nanny’s love, I told my kids that she should be ashamed of herself. Ashamed! Clearly and simply ashamed.
People who do this are appalling. They’re the people who are nothing but lazy and can justify and explain anything away. The rules of society and simple consideration do not apply to them. And, yes, I know that there are the visually undetectable types of handicaps… but this mom and her kids were A-okay. I don’t care; she has no excuse. And neither do you if you do this.
And if you do and you know me, don’t tell me about it.
