Customer with Child Parking...

I have come to truly appreciate the genius that came up with the "customer with child parking". Not only did this person make the spaces slightly larger, they also located them close to the doors of the store. A true genius. In my opinion these spots are sacred - a gift from the grocery store gods to frazzeled parents everywhere. These places have been named and claimed my friend...for people with young children. I'm sorry but if all your children are above the age of 9, much like the height requirement for a roller coaster, you are not allowed. Also, if the kiddies are NOT with you, you aren't grandfathered in...sorry.

The audacity of people never ceases to amaze me, everyday I am floored by the sheer ignorance, stupidity, or rudeness of my fellow man. Several days ago I had the opportunity to park in my sacred spot at the local grocer. Ah, the sheer elation of being a skip away from the entrance, and knowing that I would have enough space to pull my cart next to my car, without dinging another vehicle, and put my son in his carseat. Such joy! Upon leaving the grocery store, my jubilance deflated, when I saw that someone had parked so close to my car that there was barely enough room for me to squeeze by. Grumbling I put my car keys in my mouth, lifted my son out of the basket, propped my foot on the cart, wrangled my sliding car door open, and managed to get my son unscathed into his carseat. The same could not be said for my pants, which were currently waxing the car parked next to me.

Suddenly I hear a loud, somewhat harsh, "EXCUSE ME!" I craned my head out to see what was wrong. There was a woman, who was attempting to squeeze past my conga line of items to her car door. To my amazement she makes it, rudely popping my in the rear with her car door as she opens it. I am stunned. My head slowly turns to the front of the parking space - that's when I notice it. The large sign in front of her car "Customer with Child parking". I peer into her window and notice there is not a child with her. Not a solitary one. She roars out of her spot, shaking her head at me. Rubbing my behind, I quietly envision myself dinging her car with my son's retractable sippy cup. BWAP, BWAP...it only soothed my feelings a bit.
This isn't the first time that I have witnessed people using these parking spots who are sans child. I have seen young and old trampling over the nice gesture of this spot to parents, with their self centeredness. Unfortunately, unlike the handicap spot, they cannot be issued a ticket for their crime. So, I think I will begin issuing my own tickets. I believe that a bright pink sticky note that reminds them of their rude crime should do the trick. Maybe 20 or so littering the windsheild would make them rethink parking in the customer with child parking.
 So remember to think the next time you park - and if you choose to be rude you may find yourself the recipient of a mommy ticket...that is if I am feeling more passive than aggressive that day. Happy parking.