Those in Favor

A mother of one from Ft. Worth, Texas, writes:

I have gone through one pregnancy without ever having a special privilege and this pregnancy I have been sooo appreciative of the "one" place where I am able to park close to the door and waddle in with an aching back, hips and legs while keeping up with a toddler at the same time.

I live in a major metro area and have found only one retailer who provided parking for Moms-to-be. In my opinion EVERY grocery store should have them as well as the mall.

Amy, a mother of one from Florida, writes:

Show some respect for pregnant women! Allowing us to park closer for a few months would be wonderful!

Tracy, a mother of two from Canada, writes:

I have witnessed persons in handicapped parking walk with a great deal more ease than Idid when I was about seven months pregnant. Besides, winter risks of falling are very great. We all know what this can lead to.

David, a father of two from Arkansas, writes:

I feel this is great idea, let's do it.

A mother of two from Ohio writes:

I think it should be for people with small kids too. I know with 2 small kids (2 years and 6 months) it is hard getting the stroller out and then each kid from their carseats. It can also be a safety issue. It can be easier for criminals to target moms. Just think how easy it is to steal our purse or bags in the cart when the kids distract you. We need all the help we can get.

Lisa, an American mother of two currently stationed in Spain, writes:

With both of my children I had Eclampsia. I had bed rest from the fourth month on with both pregnancies. Just walking from the parking lot to the doctor's office would drive my blood pressure up to 200/100! But there were a few times that I had to go to the store myself. With my second pregnancy our local stores had the stork parking. What a relief! While I only had to go somewhere by myself a few times, it was a relief to know that I wasn't going to have to walk very far, and have to worry about my blood pressure going too high. I really appreciated the special parking!

A mother of one from Pinellas, FL, writes:

1. When my son is asleep
2. When is raining and I don't want him to get sick
3. I am expecting twins and I am HUGE, I can't walk, I can't breathe
4. I don't want my son running off and getting hurt by another car

Claire, a mother of one from Minnesota, writes:

If legislators are not willing to extend handicapped parking privileges to pregnant women or new mothers, then they should develop special stork spaces.

Nicholas from Pennsylvania writes:

I just feel that such a law would be beneficial.

Angie from Louisiana writes:

I am only 7 1/2 months pregnant and I have already gained almost 30 pounds. My doctor has told me that it is nothing for me to worry about since my pre-pregnancy weight was around 100 pounds. He says that I am just carrying a big healthy baby. As happy as this makes me to know that my baby is healthy, it makes it hard for me to move around and difficult to be as active as I am used to. I believe that mothers-to-be in their final stages of pregnancy have the right and deserve to be able to use handicapped spaces.

A young woman from Oregon expecting her first child writes:

I feel pregnant women should be able to park in a handicapped spot because they have the gift of life in them.

Billie from Texas writes:

As I go into my late stages of pregnancy, I would appreciate being able to park closer to a place of business. I'm not suggesting that any parking places are taken away from Handicapped people, but there are plenty of normal parking places that could be designated for "Stork Parking."

To all of those people out there who are talking about discrimination: What about all of those spaces marked only for "Compact Cars?"

Heather, an expecting mother of one from New Jersey, writes:

Some of the walking pregnant women or new moms have to do is too much — especially in the really hot or cold months. Pregnancy parking is a great idea (but have the state be strict — like with handicapped). I have a temporary handicap pass for the last 2 months of my pregnancy and for the next 4 months after — it has been wonderful!

A New Yorker expecting a baby writes:

I did have another child who was stillborn. When I was in my last months it would have made it easier when food shopping or holiday shopping if the car wasn't almost two blocks away with all these packages.

A young woman from Arizona expecting her first baby writes:

We have one grocery store in the Phoenix area that provides one handicapped parking space for expectant mothers. It would be great to see more of this.

I find during this final month, any help I canget and any energy I can save is greatly appreciated.I have had a heart condition during my pregnancy andI can't tell you how many times at the grocery storeit took so much energy just to get into the store.

I think the parking is a great idea and would begreatly appreciated by many of those who are expecting.

A young woman from North Dakota expecting her first child writes:

I already have back problems at 5 months — I can't imagine trying to find a place to park at some huge mall when I'm 9 months and counting!

Mitch from Minnesota writes:

My wife is 8 months pregnant. She just went to the doctor for a checkup today and askedfor a handicapped parking pass on a temporary basis. She has to park almost 4 blocks away from her building, and the walk involves several up and down hills. It is very slippery in thewinter, and we again, wanted this only for a temporary basis.

Her doctor flatly refused. The doctor said that she would have to be practically unableto walk at all in order to get the pass. My wife is very emotionally upset, and I amjust livid!

Kelli, mother of one from Colorado, writes:

I have written many term papers and done speeches on this issue through school. I attend the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and my teachers there encourage me to fight on this issue. Thanks for the information.

Those Opposed

Liane French writes:

Pregnancy is a CHOICE. If one CHOOSES to get pregnant, one should not expect special privileges for doing so. If it is "too far" to walk from the parking lot to the mall, then how do these women justify walking the mall for hours on end? If they cannot control their children when getting in and out of the car, that is a discipline issue, not a public safety issue, and if the kiddo wins a Darwin award in the grocery store parking lot, maybe mom will teach the next one better public behaviors. I was not an easy child to raise, but my mother managed to survive without stork parking AND raise my sister and me to adulthood. Our kids weren't angels, either, but I never worried that one would be so foolish as to run off in the parking lot without me as I was getting her sibling out of the carseat. Could it be that I *gasp* taught them how to behave???

Seriously, if you're too weak to be pregnant and walk the parking lot to the store, that is God's way of telling you that you're not fit to breed. There is a reason why weaker animals in the herd get killed off and left behind.

Quit wasting people's time with more special privileges for yupmoomies; if you'd quit whining and get on with life you might find out its really NOT THAT HARD!

Aurora, a child-free female from Wisconsin, writes:

My tax dollars support your lazy ass in so many ways already it's not even funny. Having children is a CHOICE. YOUR CHOICE. IS THAT CLEAR? If you can't afford a child financially,mentally or physically, that is Nature's way of saying don't breed.

Faith, a childfree female from Ohio, writes:

My life experience is that I am surrounded by entitlement-addled breeders with no consideration for anyone except for themselves. If you're too stupid to use birth control and too lazy to walk a few feet to the store, you have no business in public.

Handicap spaces are for people who are actually disabled - people who are FORCED to rely on handicap spaces to access necessary goods and services. Without handicap spaces, these people would be out of luck - since you can't unload a wheelchair from a regular space. The last thing they need is a bunch of whiny "tyyyyyyrrrrrrrrred" breeders sucking up their spaces because they are too lazy to walk a few feet and feel entitled somehow to take it easy cuz' they're doing "the most important job in the wooooorrrrrrrrrrllllllllllld"

Further, breeder haters like me will probably go ape shit and figure out some way to make sure the preggos and their brats don't get away with it. We're sick and tired of the entitlement-minded bullshit and we're not going to take it anymore.

I typed "puke-inducing" into a web search engine and your site was first on the list.

Lexis, a mother of four from DC, writes:

My God, woman! Are you trying to send the women's movement back into the 18 century??? Why not just try and reinforce the notion that pregnancy is an illness, women need special help to get through life since we're the "weaker" sex, and all we do is shop. Get a clue and move into the 21st century. You make me ashamed to be a woman and a mom.

Justin, a child-free male from Arizona, writes:

My wife and I don't have children. Don't want them. My mother is disabled. Why should she have to give up a handicapped parking spot to a breeder with a sense of entitlement? Pregnancy is a choice, precious - cancer, parkinson's disease, heart disease, etc., they are not choices. Funny how these overweight moos can walk around in the store for an hour but find it difficult to get their fat butt across the parking lot.

An unnamed child-free female from Wisconsin, writes:

I find it rather odd pregnant women complaining about having to walk a a few extra yards in a parking lot when they are weighty with child, but have no problem walking for miles while in the mile.

Auntie Dia, a mother of three from West Virginia, writes:

Your ideas are disgusting. I think I should have a disabled persons spot because I am a full time attorney helping people with disabilities. I work 60 hours a week and I don't really have time to go to Wal Mart, and I'm sooo tired by the end of the day it's really an effort to get out of my car! Man, I'm disabled.

Pregnancy may be a social, emotional and financial disability to your previously un-screwed up life, but if you can't handle 25 extra pounds on your frame, you should stay home and quit going to stores where you can't even lift your own body out of your car. Doctors recommend exercise for pregnant women last time I checked. Anyone who physically meets the disabled definition can get a disabled placard, pregnant or not.

You're not special because your uterus works. However did our mothers, grandmothers, and great grandmothers DO it? I suppose they probably didn't add 40 pounds (and keep it on) with each pregnancy. They took care of THEIR bodies so that they could actually pick themselves up out of a car, or anywhere else.

Take your entitlement head out of your entitlement ass and quit thinking you're doing the world a favor by placing more human beings on it. Especially ones with your dna.

I think your final quote tells everything we need to know about you: "Have children while your parents are still young enough to take care of them."

A child-free female writes:

Let me get this straight. You goddam broodsows already have (undeserved) privileges out the wazzoo. You selfish, self-centered bitches now want to take away something from people who genuinely NEED it? Oh, my God, what is the world coming to. This is utterly disgusting.

A writer who claims to be a mother of five or more children writes:

My life experience is that being fat and stupid are more handicapping than being pregnant. Fat, stupid women should get to use the closest spaces.

...If stork parking becomes popular, I bet preggos start gettinig run the hell over by justifiably irate handicap people.

Jessica, a child-free female from Arizona, writes:

I park in 'stork' spots all the time when I'm sore from a good workout, so I'm actually glad they're available, but legally mandating them? I think not.

A child-free female writes:

Nice site, toots. I thought exercise was GOOD for sperm infected women?

Childfree, a child-free female from Florida, writes:

Having a baby is not a disability-having babies has been going on for tens of thousands of years-it's a NORMAL BIOLOGICAL FUNCTION, just like breathing. Just because someone forgot to use birth control does not mean they get the handicapped space. Get a clue. Damn, people like you really piss me off with your 'entitlement' beliefs. "I have a baby! Gimme Gimme Gimmeeeeeeee".

That you are a clueless, selfish moo. There are thousands of kids out there waiting to be adopted, but they are not GOOD enough for YOU! Oh no! "I want MY OWN DNA replicant". Your the selfsh one here, toots. You make me sick.

Take it down-my dad DIED of ALS (Lou Gherigs Disease) when I was 18 years old. He could not walk, talk, eat, or do too much. THAT is the kind of person handicapped spaces are made for. Not the likes of YOU and your sperm-infected ilk.

A child-free female writes:

HELL NO TO PREGNANT LEECHES HAVING SPECIAL PRIVILEDGES. mY HUSBAND IS LEGALLY BLIND . HE HAS EARNED THE PRIVILEDGE OF HANDICAPPED PARKING .

A child-free female from Arkansas writes:

Being pregnant is a choice you made, so you deal with the consequences of that choice. People who are TRULY handicapped did not DECIDE to do so. Stop the cult of mommyhood - it is NOT deserving of special rights. Isn't it bad enough that people who choose NOT to have kids have to front the money for your tax breaks??

A child-free female from USA writes:

Being pregnant is not a handicap! If you choose to spread your legs and make a baby it's your own fault for your condition!

Lorraine, a a mother of five from New York, writes:

I raised five children without any of the ridiculous entitlements today's parent seem to think they deserve. You actually think you have the right to use handicap spots? Let me tell you something, toots. My husband of 53 yers worked his ass off to support his family, never did he or I ask to have preferntial treatment. The thought of parking in a spot reserved for handicapped people because of the "choice" we made to have childen would never have crossed our minds. Shame on you for your ridiculous demands. You chose to have children, it's your problem about where to park.

PS: My beloved husband has been stricken with Parkinsons. Thanks to selfish [snort] "parents" like you, he cannot always park in the handicap spots...Shame on you for even creating a site like this.

You could improve your site by removing it from cyberspace and stop asking for more entitlements than you are already receiving.

A child-free female writes:

Just a lifetime worth of seeing breeders continuously whining about how terribly put out they are by their pregnancies and expecting the world to revolve around them and their sperm infected wombs. Since when is *pregnancy* considered a handicap? *YOU* made the choice to get pregnant, YOU deal with the discomforts. Why put out people who NEED handicapped spaces for injuries or conditions they DIDN'T make the choice to have? How incredibly entitlement-minded for anyone to use their CHOICE to reproduce to get a closer parking space. This is about the most ridiculous thing I've seen, along with the "stork" spaces. If you're fat butt can't waddle a few extra steps, stay at home.

A child-free female from Tennessee writes:

I think it's a stupid idea because pregnancy is not a handicap. You chose to become pregnant, no one chooses to lose the ability to walk. I think you're looking for another handout just because you shit out a baby.

Jeanine, a child-free female from Washington State, writes:

Pregnancy is a CHOICE, not a handicap! Exercise is GOOD for pregnant women, for the most part, you moron! Oh, it annoys you to walk past an empty handicapped spot, does it? You poor thing. Be happy you have two working legs, you idiotic bint! I can guarantee you that most folks who need the handicapped spaces would trade you their disabled bodies in a heartbeart for your capable, healthy one. Lazy cow...Get rid of the lame, cutesy pink and blue background.

Fingers, a father of two from Maryland, writes:

Being pregnant is not a life long ailment. They should have someone with them if they want to shop for products. Keep the parking spaces for the real handicapped people.

A child-free female writes:

If you can't bear the walk from the parking spot, maybe you shouldn't be walking all around the mall.

Lori, a child-free female, writes:

Pregnant women are not disabled. This is a choice they make and as such, are not entitled to special rights -- period. They already get tax credits, even though they actually are a greater drain on society that someone who does not have children. Someone who is permanently in a wheelchair? That's disabled. This is just one more way that parents are trying to make themselves into a special protected class simply because they've proven they can do one of the most basic human functions -- reproduction.

A mother of two from Virginia writes:

It is good for expecting women to walk. Those women in the comments section who complain of how huge they are, how bad their backs hurt and how harrrrd it is to get out of a car sound like they're not in good enough shape to be pregnant. Second of all, you can be a parking vulture if it's that much of a problem for you. Third, did it occur to you how stupid you sound complaining that you have to walk soooo far to get to the door of a mall where you're going to walk even farther? If you hurt that much, you need to be home in bed. You gained some weight; you're not special. What's going to happen when you are no longer pregnant, but still 30 pounds overweight? Are you still "disabled"? I cannot tell you how disgusted this idea makes me. It sounds like some women have a superiority complex, thinking that giving birth makes them SPECIAL...some of you probably just want a special space so that you can feel better about yourself and get more attention for your pregnancy...

A male between the ages of 30 and 39 writes:

Handicapped parking spaces are intended only for those who are truly unable to walk. If we extend this privilege to those who are pregnant or those who have young children, one could then argue that each person who is sick (flu or other virus), has a headache, bruised their knee from softball a few days ago should also be able to use handicapped parking places. Please keep handicapped parking the way it has been — only for those who are truly disabled.

Jennifer, a young mother of one from Texas, writes:

Walking is very good exercise for women who are expecting. Very high risk pregnancies may be an exception to the rule.

Maureen, who is expecting her first child, writes:

Women have babies every day. This does not make youspecial or give you the right to fill a much needed space that has been reserved for people that actually do have disabilities that make it difficult or impossible to get from the car to thebuilding.

Many people are not aware that the reason that handicapped spots are so important is that the spaces are wider in order for wheelchair ramps to be lowered and the chairs to exit the caror van safely....

... invest your time andmoney in birth control awareness, not the absurd idea of taking away the much needed parking spacesfrom people that truly are in need of the handicapped spots.

I am doing research for a sociology paper. Your site and idea bothered me so deeply that I neededto take a break from my project and comment.

A father of three from Missouri writes:

People need exercise. Save the handicapped parking for the people that can't walk very far. I walk. My kids walk. My grandkid walks.

Mark, a father of five from North Dakota, writes:

I live in a Northern tier state and during the winter months due to the snow and ice, I feel pregnant women and families with newborns should be allotted special parking a little closer to the entrances in their later months to lessen the chances of falling.

However they should not be allowed to park in handicapped spaces; they're pregnant not handicapped. In less hazardous locations no special parking should be provided; the exercise will do them good.

Charles from Illinois writes:

Hey exercise is good for everyone. If it's that much damn trouble to go to the store, maybe they should just stay home.

Linda, a mother of one from Pennsylvania, writes:

While I agree with your contention that it is difficult to maneuver during pregnancy, allowing pregnant mums to use the handicapped spots will hinder parking for those severely disabled persons who now find it difficult to locate handicap spaces because it seems like too many people are qualifying for handicap placards. Those with severe disabilities who need to rely on lifts to get their wheelchairs in and out of specially equipped vans will be those who are hindered in the long run.

A mother of three from Oregon writes:

Pregnancy (unless "at-risk") and tending to newborns should not be considered a disability or handicap. Women have fought successfully for the right to continueworking during pregnancy (e.g., flight attendants, industrial and constructionworkers, fire fighters, etc.). This right confers responsibility AND some attendantdrawbacks.

I do not believe it is fair, to demand protection from discriminatory actions concerning career and other facets of our life, but then on the other hand, claim "special status" to orchestrate some perks at the mall or grocery store...

Niki from Texas writes:

I think that is a very unfair idea. I went through health problems a few years ago and puton about as much weight as a pregnant woman would (30-35 pounds in less than a year) and it didn't even cross my mind that I should get special treatment for this.

Women who choose to have children should not get special benefits like this. If you're not healthyenough to walk 20 extra yards, you're not healthy enough to be a mother!

A mother of three from Washington writes:

I had 3 kids aged 3, 18 month and newborn. I had a Geripack for one and a double stroller for the other two. I was NOT handicapped! Having a baby is not a handicap, it is a normal thing.

Too many LAZY ass people want to get into those handicapped parking spaces because they are too lazy to walk a short distance that would probably do them some good in the first place.

I work with the disabled and they need it WAY more then pregnant women. Besides the spaces are so limited to begin with from those lazy people!!!!

Theresa, a mother of one from California, writes:

I had polio [as] a child and have needed to usea wheelchair ever since. Let me assure you it isno privilege to have to use a wheelchair and use handicap spaces.

When I can find an available handicap parking space it makes my efforts toaccess buildings safer and a bit easier. To extendthese same regards to more people (pregnant womenand new moms) will only make it more difficult forindividuals with severe and permanent limitationsto locate parking.

I'm out daily with my daughteron errands, to school, to work, etc. Most timesI can not find available parking.

Melinda, a young woman from Rogers, Arkansas, writes:

My little sister is handicapped and I can't standit when people use the spaces when they are not in need of them. It is hard for handicapped people to walk across a parking lot. They do nothave the same strengths as everyone else.

Love
Melinda