parking in parent parking with a 5yr old?

[littlemoominmamma]

hello,

Title says it all really... is she getting a bit too old? Or should i continue just because it feels soo much safer. What age is too old?

[claw3]

Why does it feel so much safer?

[SoupDragon]

Yes, 5 is too old. You do not need a wider space to get her in and out of the car.

[BiscuitFace]

yabu. i stopped when dd was big enought to get out of the car herself

[borderslass]

Depends on the shop I think in ASDA its as long as their in a child seat/booster but not 100% sure.

[littlemoominmamma]

There is more room, she can stand next to me and hold my hand and you can see other cars coming.

I can get her out of the car (and car seat) easily, other car users tend to drive slowly past these spaces knowing that small children are around.

They are close to the doors so you dont have to walk through large car park with small child who is likely to make a run for it!

[chopstheduck]

some of our local ones say children up to 12. Not sure why they would need it!

I do occassionally with my 4yo dts. I know they can get in and out of the car on their own, but it is easier. Most of the time I park in disabled.

[crokky]

I think the spaces are intended for age 3 and under?

[Lilyloo]

I guess it is safer in that the space is bigger and less likely for dc's to hit other cars with the door ?

[BuckRogers]

Only you can decide, based on her nature.
I have an almost 6yr old and when out with just him I don't use them. He unlips his booster seat and waits for me to come round to take him by the hand. However, I have two younger DDs and when I have 2 or all 3 I always try to find one.

I think it would be unusual to need them if just you and a 5yr old. When I'm just with DS, I always imagine there's someone else with a baby and toddler in more need than me. Unless you have a 5yr old who has additional needs or is a bolter, I'd say you probably don't need it.

[littlemoominmamma]

Team Edward - do you have a spare hat?

[mice]

Sainsbury's near me definitely says for children under 12 - seems madness and I haven't used them since mine were about 3 - but if the signs say 12 then I guess people are within their rights to use them still......

[clam]

In our local carpark, it says "parent and toddler" on the sign.

[thedollshouse]

Ds is 5 and I still use the parent parking spaces, I don't need to I just do it out of habit, in my head he is still around 18 months old. I am pregnant so next year I can use them again without feeling guilty.

[littlemoominmamma]

chops the duck - i know you were only joking but that made me laugh out loud !!!!!!! I think i may have to park in the pick up only spaces!

[displayuntilbestbefore]

I don't even park in parents' parking with my 2yr old as he can easily be removed from car without need for wide berth...thought the extra wide spaces were really for babies being put in and out of car with carseats etc?

Anyway, in my local carpark the parent spaces are for all the middle aged woman in their Mercedes

[chopstheduck]

If you are worried about kids bolting or smashing their door into the neighbouring cars, surely the doors should be child locked?

[CMOTdibbler]

My DS is 3, and I don't use them now - I don't have to put him in the seat, so I don't need it

[lisasimpson]

well if you are still needing to get her out of her car seat and the car yourself and have her hold your hand then perhaps yanbu...

[BuckRogers]

Lilyloo, I always have one hand on the outside of the door over the edge to prevent my door hitting the adjacent car.

I don't think it does depend on the shop, personally. I think you should use your common sense and make a judgement based on your child. What sort of person would say, 'well it says children under 12 therefore it is perfectly reasonable for me to park there with my sensible, able bodied 11yr old!'

I remember only too well struggling with 2 under 2 and then 3 under 5 so I make a reasonable decision that when out just me and my 5yr old, there's those more in need than me.

[claw3]

Depend on how well your child can follow instructions then.

If you feel she is unable to hold your hand and go dashing off at any minute. Use the spaces.

[twolittlekings]

Why is it safer? It's only unsafe if you let your DCs out before you are ready to go anywhere IFSWIM. I always make my DS (4.5) stay in the car until I am ready to go off, and when we have finished the shop the 1st thing I do is put him in the car before I do anything else so I know he is safe. The car has child locks so he can't get out once he is in the back. He knows this and it's the first thing he does now anyway so sorry but YABU.

[TheMightyToosh]

OP - all of your justifications about safety and space etc apply more to people with 0-3 year olds, not really 5 year olds. You might still think it is safer when she is 8, 10, when does it stop?

I think you are being a bit U - there aren't enough of these spaces for everyone with children so you have to use your common sense and leave them free for those who really need them, i.e. those with small babies in car seats that need to be removed from the car or toddlers who still need help getting in and out of their fixed seats.

[OrmIrian]

Only if you really feel you need it. But why would you? I haven't used them since my last one was walking securely.