Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Getting a Good Parking Space


First off let me say to me a good parking space is not always the closest space. When you have little kids in tow, there are other things to consider, like not letting the kids run in front of traffic. For a long time I would always look for a parking spot beside or very near the cart corral. I would take my cart from the corral. This way I could transport the two youngest through the parking lot in the cart. Then when we were finished I could take them back to the car and then put the cart away. Now I've found a new trick. (No old dog jokes please!)

Now I skip the out front parking lot and look for parking along the side of the building. Most mega-retailers (Wal-Mart, Target ect) and grocery stores have a row of parking along the side of the building. I can almost always find an empty spot there.The spot I find is not necessarily closer than the ones out front. Sometimes it is closer, but remember closer is not always better when you have kids with you.

The biggest advantage to parking here is that there is only a sidewalk between you and the building, not a traffic lane. As I am getting kids unloaded, they can wait next to the building, away from any traffic. I do not have to worry about Nolan wandering off into the next row of cars. (I am embarrassed to say it has happened, and if you know Nolan I am sure you can understand how.) I can load them into the cart in front of my van and not have to worry about cars backing out, or someone zooming through. It is so much easier. Simple, yes, but it works for me!

5 comments:

  1. Simple yes, but great advice. Especially when they are at this I'm Mr. Independant stage!

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  2. I agree. I am a big cart corral-searcher, too- not only for arriving, but when I leave, I don't want to have to search for one or go too far to get to one. The boys are older now, but still like to walk along the parking space lines, balance beam style. I also take babysitting kids with me from time to time and I have found that making them keep one hand on the van keeps them from moving too far. If I am by myself ( a RARE occurrence), I actually like to park farther away and leave the close spaces for someone who may need it more.
    BTW. I jumped in head-first and started my own blog. It's called "It's all for the best" and you can find it at http://all-4-thebest.blogspot.com .Don't hold your breath for Mandy to start one. LOL!

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  3. I love the title of your blog!

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  4. Thanks for the parking tip! Now we're all going to be stealing your secret spaces. :-)

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  5. This is so nice and so many people over look this area!

    I also always try to park by buggies that have not been returned to the corral. I know that people aren't supposed to do this, but I'm always grateful!

    Blessings!

    Tracy

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