Parent and child spaces... when heavily pregnant

[LittleLionMansMummy]

Am I justified in using them at our local Tesco even when ds1 is not with me? Currently 39+1 and for the first time very uncomfortable and finding it difficult to walk far since baby dropped. Normally I am able to park relatively close anyway without resorting to parent/ child but the car park is having extensive work so there's a high demand for the closer spaces now since a third of the car park is closed. I'm not really sure what the parent/ child etiquette is, but have been using the spaces recently because I'm obviously heavily pregnant.

[HarleyQuinzel]

I wouldn't be annoyed seeing you use one

[PurpleDaisies]

I'm not really sure what the parent/ child etiquette is, but have been using the spaces recently because I'm obviously heavily pregnant.

Either militant "you don't have a child so how very dare you" or a more pragmatic "anyone with an issue that means they can't fully open their car door should use them without worrying".

I'd like to see them renamed accessible spaces so anyone who can't get in or out of their car without fully opening the door can use them.

[schmack]

Im not sure you can justify using them because they're closer and it's harder to walk but I used to use them in the last week or so of my pregnancies at the local supermarket, purely because the normal spaces were so tight that I physically could not get my bump out of the door even with the door pushed up against the next car.

Compared to all the other chancers doing questionable things in supermarkets, a heavily pregnant woman awkwardly clambering out of a P&T space and shuffling across the carpark wouldn't bother me at all. they've got a lot to deal with and will soon be having to squeeze a carseat out anyway.

[babyblabber]

I did it once or twice as the local supermarket had tiny spaces and I couldn't get in and out of the car without the extra space.

I wouldn't have a problem with a heavily pregnant woman using them at all.

[Inthenick]

Go for it.

[LittleLionMansMummy]

The normal spaces are actually quite generous so the accessibility isn't such a problem. But I have a lot of pelvic pain and hip ache (the baby was roughly 6 lbs around 5 weeks ago, so long I'm carrying a lot of weight - this isn't a small baby!)

[randomsabreuse]

I would have no problem whatsoever with you using it. A tight car park is a nightmare when heavily pregnant even if walking isn't a problem as bump doesn't squish and turning sideways makes things worse. Scrambling across from the other side is also not possible if someone has parked too close for you to fit.

[Rulerruler]

I wouldn't have any issue at all with you using it. If you are worried ask with security on the way in if it's ok - any hastle from anyone then and you can refer them to them!

[JosephineMaynard]

Word of warning - a few of the Tescos near me are cracking down on misuse of P&C parking and handing out fines to people parking in them without a small child. Not sure if this is happening nationwide.

You would hope a bit of common sense would prevail if the childless person is heavily pregnant, has a blue badge or has other visible problems, but I wouldn't count on it.

[HandbagCrab]

Well you are with child aren't you! I'm huge and really struggled to get out of my car yesterday as bump does not squish. I've no problem with heavily pregnant women parking in p&c and anyone that does is an arse imho. Best of luck

[biscuitlover11]

It bothers me more when people use the spaces with older kids who can get out themselves.

[SoupDragon]

Anyone that has a problem with this is a twat! I honestly can't believe that anyone would deny that a heavily pregnant woman deserves a P&C space (actually, I can but see my first sentence)

I'm sure Tescos used to include pregnant women as eligible anyway

[oldlaundbooth]

Ha, this is my chance to tell my story!

Yes OP, use the space and do not feel guilty!

I'm pregnant and used a space exactly as you describe a couple of weeks ago. As I was parking a woman tapped on the window and said 'this is for women with children only'. I said 'I'm 8 months pregnant'... She then had the cheek to try to peer into the car to check my bump! FFS.

As per soup dragon, the woman was a twat

[Meadows76]

Anyone that has a problem with this is a twat 🙌🏻 I'm right up there - just call me twat, I don't mind, or maybe twat 76 to soften it slightly.

I have no idea why on earth it is necessary. I probably never will.

[Blue2014]

I do it, I have a child with me, just because he's in my womb doesn't mean it's not accurate

[bumblebee86]

I was thinking this the other day as now 33 weeks and struggled to get back in the car if someone has parked close to me. I always try to find a space where I can leave a big space for me to get in but you can't guess how close the person who parks next to you will get!

[schmack]

Meadows 76 it's basic physics really. Non compressible object doesn't fit though gap.

[ChocolateBudgeCake]

I do this. It's pretty obvious that I am in need. Massive bump and an awkward waddle! As others have said, you are a parent with a child.

[PeachBellini123]

Old - why do some people take it upon themselves to be busy-bodies and 'police' these things.
It's like a friend of mine who got abuse for parking in a disabled bay - she has a blue badge and a hidden disablity.

[Meadows76]

Meadows 76 it's basic physics really. Non compressible object doesn't fit though gap. basic physics haha. It's arse laziness and nothing more. Generally speaking there are many many spaces available at supermarkets where you can park end pf row or further away so the chances of someone parking near you are very slim.

I don't take it up if myself to 'police' it though, I don't actually care who parks where, I don't look to check, I just park where I park and go mine my own!

[LittleLionMansMummy]

Meadows I've explained that this (very busy) car park has been reduced in size by around a third due to building work, the multiple parking spaces you speak of are simply not there or are much further away. I've also said that for me it's not about lack of space (I actually find toilet cubicles harder to negotiate!) However I'm 9 months, not 9 weeks pregnant, with a big baby and SPD. Until a few weeks ago I was regularly traipsing across London to work with a huge rucksack on my back. I am certainly not lazy. I've just finally got to the stage where I'm now struggling with fighting my way around everywhere.

[randomsabreuse]

Unless you can get an end of row (usually full of posh cars/big vans around here) the middle is no guarantee you will get in again - people seem to need something to aim at so often park next to you when there's 20 other spaces. I did think like Meadow until I carefully parked at the far end of the Sainsbury's car park near us and came back to find a huge van next to me at what would be a perfectly acceptable distance apart from my 8 months pregnant bump plus 2 door car meany I had to wait until they got back (Sat in passenger side to wait).

[idontlikealdi]

In my local supermarkets the parent and child spaces are at the other end of the car park, I guess to stop people who don't need them using them.

I would have no issue with you using the ones nearer op.

Out of interest when is the acceptable age to stop using P&C spaces?? When they're out of stage 1 seats, stage 2, or can belt themselves in?

[Meadows76]

TBH I'm the size of a pregnant lady without being pregnant and I manage envy single day to park and get in and out of the car. This idea that we suddenly need special spaces for being pregnant does make me chuckle.

And I know there will be plenty examples of 'but this happened' and 'what about this' but it doesn't change abything for me, I'm not of the entitled nature.

[SoupDragon]

I have no idea why on earth it is necessary.

Then you really aren't in a position to say it's unnecessary are you?

When you are the size of a whale, have a baby's head wedged in your pelvis, feel like someone has kicked you in the crotch with hobnailed boots on, found every step painful due to SPD, back ache etc etc... parking further away where you can open the door wide is kind of unhelpful.

I remember when I was heavily pregnant with DS2 I was actually less capable of walking than my 92 year old grandmother who had a blue badge.

Of course, if you wish to continue with the empathy bypass, go for it.