To use a parent and child parking space

[Marymaymay]

I'm 35 weeks pregnant and huge (size 10 everywhere else but a larger than average bump) with hips which are gradually displacing, almost constant braxton hicks and generally exhausted and a bit pathetic.

What would you think if you saw me use a parent and child's space at the supermarket?

[leopardspice]

Go for it. You need the extra manoeuvring space and I wouldn't bat an eyelid
I used them when I was pg with dd

[Packergator]

I would mind a lot less than the joker I saw chatting on his mobile phone with no evidence of any children in his two seater sports car which was parked diagonally across 2 parent and child spaces at Sainsburys this afternoon...knobhead. (him, not you)

[andintothefire]

If the car park were empty I wouldn't mind. If it were a busy day then I would think there are probably parents with young children who they don't want running across the car park while they struggle with shopping so they need it more..

[Kimononono]

Nothing at all. (Although at my local asda of you havnt got a child under 8 (?) then you could be fined)

Others will come on here screeching and wailing about it though.

Good luck!

[OhIfIMust]

I've decided it's ok to use as I'm 31 weeks preg, already measuring term and have SPD. I'm so massive I can't imagine anyone would object!

[PurpleDaisies]

Is it that you can't open the door fully in normal spaces? I'd look for an end of row space first so you avoid having in unnecessary confrontation. I wouldn't have a problem with you using one but there are some people out there who will vocally tell you they do.

[Ameliablue]

It wouldn't bother me and most decent people will understand. However, there is no guarantee you won't come across someone who will shout at you for it.

[Redbindippers101]

Go for it, you can't go through life worried about the opinions of strangers. I use P&C parking spaces all the time even though the kids left home years ago.

[BennyTheBall]

I would not give a flying fuck.

[ForalltheSaints]

If you brought your mum with you I'd not bat an eyelid. My dad had poor eyesight towards the end of his life and I used to park there with him as it was much easier getting into the supermarket than in the disabled bays.

[MammaTJ]

I was told by the staff in Tesco to use the P&C spaces when I broke my ankle. I couldn't hop far, even with crutches, and needed the room to manoeuvre.

I am sure you are in a similar position, if not worse!

[PurpleDaisies]

Do you have a particular need to use them redbin? I'd like to see them rebadged as spaces for people with need of extra space (pregnancy, mobility issues etc...). Obviously with a snappier name though!

[MangoMoon]

I wouldn't notice in the first place tbh, let alone care.

If you need the extra space, then you need it.
(I had SPD both pregnancies and had to have the door open fully to get in & out the car as easily as I possibly could).

Prepare for the inevitable gnashing of teeth though from a vocal minority...

[camelfinger]

Do it. Surely no one would have an issue with this.

[Stardust160]

A pregnant lady got fined in Asda for using a parent and child space. As someone who has recently been pregnant and struggled with a toddler I think you could find another space rather than someone else struggling with children. I was enormous at the time of my pregnant aswell. Everyone seems to be abusing it for it intended purpose and seems to cause more chaos than help. Personally it should be mother and toddler not necessarily for older children. That been said its a struggle but we do manage without it.

[DuvetDayEveryday]

I always use them. I'm fat and shit at parking and they make life easier.

[Stardust160]

I also had spd aswell so struggling being pregnant whilst dealing with a toddler was hard.

[Dakin1]

I would think 'fair enough'. I think most women with kids remember those last few difficult weeks of pregnancy. The supermarket would probably be fine with it too

[honkinghaddock]

I wouldn't notice. To busy dealing with getting ds in or out of car.

[TheDisreputableDog]

I wouldn't object to this but it does irritate me when someone pulls in to one with their 8yr old... For me it's for people who need the extra door space to get in and out of the car or fasten seat belts/get car seats in. Not because you cba to walk further to the shops or don't want someone else to open their door into your car.

[PurpleDaisies]

Personally it should be mother and toddler not necessarily for older children.
You mean parent and toddler?

[scoobyloobyloo]

I'm not really bothered about what people might think - just kinda interested.

I've got a 9 yo and haven't used those spaces since she was about 3/4. I've read the new stuff where most places say for use up to age 12 which is totally bizarre (unless child has SN which I totally understand).

There's 2 reasons why I used one today - firstly because I find it hard getting out the car quite often (had to climb in passenger side when some guy parked close the other day). Secondly I've never physically felt that I needed the space more in terms of being close to the store.

[ThatsMyStapler]

ffs - of course you can use the parent and child spaces if you have a good reason - and if anyone asks where your child is, point at your belly with one hand and use the other to give them a 1 fingered salute

If you want to be techincal about it, i could use it with my 14 yr old.... he's my child

[PurpleDaisies]

thatsmystapler they often have age limits now.