Parking spaces for expectant mothers at Walmart?

[Mskanga]

I just noticed yesterday that my local walmart has some parking spaces reserved for expectant mothers , the very first spots infront of the store , in every single row. Does yours have it too? this is the first time I saw it , I wonder what prompted them to do that and I wonder what is next.

 

[BuckNaked]

One of the Wal-Marts in this area used to have them, I don't know if they still do or not. These types of spaces have been around for quite some time - local grocery stores in Montgomery, AL had them back in the early 90s.

I personally never saw the reason for them, but whatever the store wants to do.

 

[Mskanga]

This is the first time I have seen them in any of the stores around us , but I wonder if anyone violates that, what can they do ? give them a ticket? I have never heard of that being a law but maybe I am wrong.

 

[NMAmy]

We got them at a local grocery store a year or so after I had my dd. I wished they had them before because once, at the very same grocery store when I was about 8 months pregnant, some yahoo parked so close to my car that I couldn't get in. I had a t-bird that had long doors and a center console so it wasn't a matter of just hopping in the passenger side--plus I wasn't doing much hopping at that time. I was so upset that I was too fat to get into my own vehicle! I loaded my trunk with the groceries and then just sat on the trunk and cried till the owner of the other vehicle came out and finally moved it.

 

[FINFAN]

We have had them at out Wal-Mart's and Targets for over a year now. Not sure how they handle any violators, but I know some do. Especially in the winter around here. One thing I find kinda goofy tho, the cart racks are still pretty far away from these spaces, so the people who need them still have to cross a lot of parking lot after their close parking space. That is, IF they put their cart away.

 

[piratesmate]

Our Wal-Mart doesn't have them - even their handicapped spots are few & far between.

However, the grocery store in the same shopping center has them....along with spots for mothers with young children. I guess Dad's are expected to walk with the baby?

 

[Kermit]

We only have those at our Babies R Us. Actually, I think the mall has some, but only at the food court entrance. I guess they figured they'd put them where they'd be most useful.

I don't care to use them when I'm pregnant, but the spaces get used, so I guess some people do. I tried a few times when I was heavily pregnant with Nick, had Jacob to carry, and it was raining, but they were full every time, so I've never actually parked in one.

 

[SeeDisney]

Yes, some of the supermarkets have that too.

I really really appreciate them when I'm 8 or 9 months pregnant with toddler in tow.

Oh, how I wish the malls have them...............................................!!!!!!!

 

[Mskanga]

However, the grocery store in the same shopping center has them....along with spots for mothers with young children. I guess Dad's are expected to walk with the baby?

Mother's with young children's parking spots too? Geez, they better get a freaking tram for regular people because at the rate they are going taking spaces for certain groups, the regular folks will have to park a mile away from the store. That is insane. I'm all for handicapped spaces, but now expectant mothers and mothers with young children? what is next?

 

[meandtheguys2]

I think it is a nice gesture. There are no ramifications for parking there, however. It isn't a law or a rule. Just a consideration for folks who might have a difficult time.

 

[Rachie0507]

I think this is a nice service for expectant mom's. I used them at our local Walmart when I was pregnant with #2 and had a young toddler.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I appreciate the spots....I know that IKEA has them for "families with small children" and we have a chick fil a with them.

When I'm unloading a an infant from the car--I need as much space as possible. I will gladly park anywhere--but with a baby on the way or an infant--if the special space is available...I have no problems using it.

 

[JimB.]

It's a nice thing. It's also a GREAT marketing ploy.

Also, pregnancy IS considered a "temporary disability" under the AMA, so there is also probabaly a bit of "CYA" going on here.

 

[chesirechik]

Around here most of the grocery stores, Target, Wal-mart have them and I've seen a couple restaurants with the spots also.

I'm sure it's nice for pregnant women or someone with a baby.

 

[piratesmate]

Mother's with young children's parking spots too? Geez, they better get a freaking tram for regular people because at the rate they are going taking spaces for certain groups, the regular folks will have to park a mile away from the store. That is insane. I'm all for handicapped spaces, but now expectant mothers and mothers with young children? what is next?

I thought the same thing! Yes, I'm sure it's a marketing ploy (they 1st put them up when they opened a "babysitting room" in the store too) & then there's the CYA factor. While it might be a nice thing to do, it's a problem at this particular store because there are only a few very long rows for parking - down a long hill....across a loading zone, an island & the "ring road".

It's such a stupid design! It probably irritates me most because the "best" or "closest" spots are reserved for the mothers (pregnant & w/young children) and the handicapped spots almost look like an afterthought. I asked about it once & was told that "the handicapped were in wheelchairs so the mothers need the closest spots."

I can't believe they actually said that! I have a handicapped license (bad knee) but I use a cane not a wheelchair. I won't shop there even though it's the closest store because I can't do the hill. (My knee just collapses on a downgrade.)

 

[Mskanga]

I appreciate the spots....I know that IKEA has them for "families with small children" and we have a chick fil a with them.

When I'm unloading a an infant from the car--I need as much space as possible. I will gladly park anywhere--but with a baby on the way or an infant--if the special space is available...I have no problems using it.

In this case the space between the parking spots is exactly the same as the general spots , so loading and unloading would be the same thing. The handicapped spots are the ones a bit larger but not the other ones.

 

[mtemm]

I think they are a nice gesture personally and yes I have used them in the past when I was heavily pg or when we had a toddler and newborn twins.

when I am alone or dh is with me to help with the kids we will often try to park further out just so I can leave the closer spots, even unmarked, for folks who are older or not as healthy. my thoughts are I'm 37 years old and in good health and the walk will do me some good

 

[CamColt]

Ive seen spaces marked for parent with infant which I can understand, but never for a pregnant woman. Unless there are extreme circumstances during the pregnancy, I dont see the need for it. When I was pregnant, I loved to walk and made a point to do so.

 

[stinkerbelle]

You know...how did our mothers ever manage without closer spots to the grocery store/wal-mart/target when they were pregnant with us?



Gosh...are we all getting soft?


ok ok...flame away...

 

[Bob Slydell]

Yep, I've seen them at Wal-Mart, Target, Babies R Us and a few other places. It doesn't bother me at all -- it's a nice, yet unenforcable, gesture.