To think that P&C spaces in supermarket car parks

[Braganza]

AIBU to think that where there is a pedestrian pavement down the middle of a supermarket car park, it would make far more sense to have the parent and child parking in a well lit area further away from the entrance. This would mean that the spaces would not get clogged up by drivers without children too lazy to find a space, and in some car parks could be in an area with less traffic.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I've never understood why people with children need designated spaces tbh.

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

Yes absolutely. Has been suggested here many times. I don't care how near the doors they are, I care about being able to open the car doors wide enough to wedge my fat arse in and strap the dds in properly or take out the car seat. :) Oh, and supermarket planners, why hasn't it occurred to any of you to put a trolley bay with suitable trolleys anywhere near the p&c spaces? I'm a really supermarket tart and I'm amazed that so few of them actually think about that.

[Sparklingbrook]

YY. That would make sense. We don't have any P&C spaces in our town and that works really well too.

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

Designated spaces are good because it lessens the possibility that someone next to you will park like a knob and mean you can barely open the door never mind get an infant carrier back in the car.

I've never understood why they cause so much resentment tbh. A typical case of "if I can't use it why the hell should someone else?"

[Sparklingbrook]

I think wherever possible use Home Delivery and don't take children to supermarkets at all, especially during busy times.

If you need room to open the door park a bit further away/get a car with sliding rear doors.

My two are 12 and 14 so P&C spaces are a source of bemusement to me now.

[melonribena]

I agree about putting trolley parks near the p and c spaces! No supermarket I use do this either. It's really irritating and means that everyone leaves their trollies out of trolley bays.

Normally this would annoy me but I'm always grateful not to have to trek miles dragging my ds.

[superbagpuss]

our local supermarket as the p&c bays around the corner from the entrance but close to a walkway, also a trolley bay in the middle which is where all the double trollies are put

[JapaneseMargaret]

I personally reckon whoever invented P&C parking spaces rues the day they ever invented the damn things.

[horseycoursey]

I love p&c spaces. I've been aggressively honked at for blocking another spaces due to having the door open whilst strapping in dc in a standard space, whereas p&c spaces give room to lift young children straight from the trolley to car seat.

Sparkling, just because these spaces weren't around in the past and people coped doesn't automatically make them a bad thing. After all, supermarkets have them to entice parents to shop in their store and it works for me

[ZenGardener]

I was grateful for them when I was heavily pregnant as I was struggling to squeeze through the space with my bum and tum so huge. I have four kids aged 5 and under and don't need an extra wide space as we have a car with sliding doors.

[Sparklingbrook]

If you feel you need one and there's one free then use it by all means. But if there isn't one just park somewhere else.

YY it's just a marketing ploy to get parents into the store.

[PorkPieandPickle]

Laughing at 'don't take children to supermarkets' and 'buy a car with sliding doors'

Because we all have the luxury of those choices don't we?! Online shopping great if you want to pay the delivery charge and need a whole load of shopping, not so good if you want to pop by and get something for tonight's dinner... And buy a new car? Seriously? I can fit my babies car seat in my car fine, but I should buy a new car so I don't need to open my door wide and inconvenience others?! How ridiculous!!!

[BellaVita]

Ooooh lovely a p&c thread. Haven't had one in ages only last week

[Sparklingbrook]

I aim to please Pork.

[Sparklingbrook]

YY I thought that Bella. makes a change from the cat poo threads eh?

[Bowlersarm]

Agree! There's no reason why p and c spaces have to be right by the supermarket entrance. In fact they should be a lot further away so that there isn't a constant fight about who is entitled/not supposed to use them. Much less pressure on the spaces then.

[PorkPieandPickle]

No offense sparkling but youre obviously on a different budget to me!!!

Personally, I just park right at the back of the car park, certainly won't be buying a new car while on maternity pay!!

[Flossiechops]

bellavita your wrong there was one in aibu just yesterday. I never ever thought too much about these spaces until coming on MN, I'm always amazed at how much debate there is about them tbh.

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

I know, it's funny about the trolleys. If I'm on my own it annoys me if someone has dumped a trolley near my space. If I have the girls with me I bless them for their laziness!

[Foxeym]

I don't mind where they are but they are a great help when you have a 2 door tiny car and have to open the door wide open to get the car seat out. Many times I've parked and someone has parked so close that I literally cannot get the door open wide enough to get DS in and have to move the car out of the space to get him in, not ideal!

[Sparklingbrook]

I think as a Mum of a teen and a nearly teen I may be out of touch Pork. The spaces were around in 1999 but I wasn't on MN and didn't know the P&C angst that surrounds them.

I think we used to work it so that we didn't have to take babies to the shops so either DH or I would go alone, or I would walk up to the local shops with the pram in the day.

[sarahquilt]

I don’t understand why there needs to be special p and c spaces anyway.

[OneMoreCupOfTea]

I think people should accept that they are a luxury and be grateful when they can park in one, I do find the extra space makes it easier to get the children back in. However, they are not a right and don't need to be causing so much stress!

[Catsize]

Winds me up no end when people abuse the spaces, and further away would be fine. Have reported people without small fry for parking in them in peak hours, especially if they nick the last space. I remember the early days of lugging heavy car seat soon after birth etc. (Soon to be experienced again any day, but this time with chaotic toddler in tow too)
Not sure why parents of able-bodied teenage children think it is appropriate to park in them either.