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Parent and child spaces should be for those with children 5 and under

755 replies

seize · 03/04/2024 16:41

Parent-child parking spaces at supermarkets should be reserved primarily for those with children aged 5 and under, aside from older children with special needs (although a blue badge might be more appropriate where they meet the criteria, in these cases).

I was alone with my 4 month old today, the trolleys with the baby seats are kept next to these spaces. The spaces which have the easiest access to the trolleys had all been taken with the last taken by someone just before me, I reversed into a space around the corner and the driver was shaking their head at me, presumedly because their space only had extra room on one side and my space came up to them (see picture). I was surprised to then see them get out with a child of about 13. I saw multiple other people using these spaces with children looking like teenagers. I was able to get a space which still had fairly easy access to the trolleys, albeit by needing to walk on the road and inbetween the other cars, multiple people had parked in the spaces with the easiest access with much older children. I was lucky to get a space at all, had I not I would have had to walk across the busy carpark holding my baby.

YANBU- Just because someone has a child under 16 doesn’t mean they should take up these spaces, they should save them for people who need them the most.

YABU- first come first served, who cares if someone with a baby is having to traipse across a busy car park holding a baby to get to the baby trolleys.

Parent and child spaces should be for those with children 5 and under
OP posts:
Sprogonthetyne · 03/04/2024 20:14

I actually found them more useful with slightly older children (3-6/7). Babies go straight from being strapped in the car seat to being carried or contained in a trolley or pushchair. Older children are more of a risk walking across the carpark, especially on the way back to the car, when your carrying bags and don't have a hand free to hold them.

They also might try to open doors for themselves, so the extra room stops them bumping other cars. Also I found I had to open the door the wildest during the year or so after they moved up to hbb but still needed me to strap them in, as I had to lean right over them to plug in. Whereas when they were in 5 point harness, I only had to open it enough to get them in and reach my arm in to buckle up.

SpindarellaRockafella · 03/04/2024 20:10

berksandbeyond · 03/04/2024 19:34

How did breastfeeding mean you needed the space, out of interest? Or do you just love any reason to add that bit? 😂

Good point. I supposed I meant just frazzled and anxious knowing I’d need to find somewhere to feed by new born and then in later months needing to stay in the car a bit longer.
maybe that’s true for bottle feeding too but I meant that when there’s no routine or anything like that. Just speaking from my experience - all of it - which I believe I’m entitled to do.

Flopsy145 · 03/04/2024 20:10

ColleenDonaghy · 03/04/2024 19:59

So... Could have had an invisible disability then.

What invisible disability would mean they don't have a blue badge and need to be closer to a shop than a walking toddler?
And to add, she could have said "really sorry I have an invisible disability that's why I'm parking here"

Woahthehorsey · 03/04/2024 20:10

Nope. Hard disagree.

Much easier to traipse across a carpark with a baby than with a 6&8 year old.

TimeToStopLurking · 03/04/2024 20:00

Wow some of these replies are so snarky. I don't have a a boot, only a sliding side door to get my pram out of. I need that space to the side which those extra parent and child spaces offer.

Or I end up driving around circling hoping I can park at the end of a row so no one next to me.

So it's not just getting in and out of the car seat but the ability to get the pram in and out for me. Don't think it's unreasonable for people with older kids to go for regular spaces.

User345939 · 03/04/2024 19:59

I find it more difficult now with an autistic 11 year old and a 7 year old to get them in and out of the car safely and across the carpark to the shop than I did with a newborn in a car seat or sling.
My local shops all have a direct pathway with bollards from the parent and child spaces to a zebra crossing which means limited walking across a car park when 11 year old is impulsive and has no sense of danger.
So for that reason I have continued to use the PC spaces. I'm unsure if we would be entitled to blue badge as don't claim any disability benefits although i must admit I've never actually looked into it.

ColleenDonaghy · 03/04/2024 19:59

Flopsy145 · 03/04/2024 19:48

If they have a blue badge and no disabled spaces left, or are very elderly, then yes of course. Sorry should have clarified that.
A non blue badge holding middle aged woman with no obvious injuries took the last baby and child space the other day, in torrential rain when I had my toddler who I had to walk across the car park. Despite me pulling up and asking the woman if she had any kids because these spaces were for parents and children (she ignored me)

So... Could have had an invisible disability then.

Wooloohooloo · 03/04/2024 19:58

Carrying a baby across a car park! Heaven forbid! 🤣🤣 I didn't even have a car for years when DS was a baby. Navigating public transport with a kid is far more stressful! You're not the first woman to have a baby. Just see them as a bonus. And yes I still park in them with DD who is 8 (if they're not specified as parent & toddler/under 5s)/ because I'm allowed to!

ButterCrackers · 03/04/2024 19:54

Park further from the entrance to have more space. People with kids walk to the shops from the bus stops and living close by so walking a few more metres in your case will be ok.

Springtimewingtime · 03/04/2024 19:52

Agree they should be well away from the entrance, wide enough to get to a carseat or to help a child in/out and with a safe path to the shop. Then they would be used just by parents with babies/children.

chuffoff · 03/04/2024 19:51

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

I don't think it's as trivial as that. I think it offers a fairly good representation of how society thinks about others needs versus their own. I'd like to think there are still communities who haven't been infected by rampant entitlement but I'm not convinced.

ColleenDonaghy · 03/04/2024 19:49

FlyingHighFlyingLow · 03/04/2024 19:34

What about getting them INTO the pushchair. In a P&C bay I can put the pram down the side. It's safe. If not I have to put the pram behind the car on the road where it could get hit. A walking child can wait down the side of the car with you.

Putting them in a buggy or trolley at the back of the car never felt as dangerous as walking two small children beside a trolley with no free hands.

Flopsy145 · 03/04/2024 19:48

Medschoolmum · 03/04/2024 19:24

Even if they have disabilities, which may or may not be visible?

If they have a blue badge and no disabled spaces left, or are very elderly, then yes of course. Sorry should have clarified that.
A non blue badge holding middle aged woman with no obvious injuries took the last baby and child space the other day, in torrential rain when I had my toddler who I had to walk across the car park. Despite me pulling up and asking the woman if she had any kids because these spaces were for parents and children (she ignored me)

eatsleepfarmrepeat · 03/04/2024 19:47

FlyingHighFlyingLow · 03/04/2024 19:43

Everyone I know does it. If its a small shop I put his car seat on the pram, self scan shop into bags underneath. Big shop I put his car seat on those car seat trolleys pulled up next to door. Shopping with partner? One pushes trolley, one pushes buggy. Shopping center? Of course I use a pram. I live in the city, it's busy right to the back of the car park! There is no loads of space.

Please don’t do this. If you have a small child, it’s really important they are not in those car seats for any length of time.

Kalevala · 03/04/2024 19:45

FlyingHighFlyingLow · 03/04/2024 19:34

What about getting them INTO the pushchair. In a P&C bay I can put the pram down the side. It's safe. If not I have to put the pram behind the car on the road where it could get hit. A walking child can wait down the side of the car with you.

It's very unlikely to get hit just alongside your boot. A car would need to be very close. People pack shopping at into their boot from a trolley all the time. Anyway, it's just a pushchair. A walking child still needs to get from the car to the shop.

CarrotCake01 · 03/04/2024 19:43

I think most are under 12.
My DD is 6 and although she can just about get into her seat, she still needs me to buckle her in and sort the straps. I can't do that up against another car without risk of damaging it. As I'd rather not ding someone's car door doing this, I park in the parent and child spaces. That's what they're for.

FlyingHighFlyingLow · 03/04/2024 19:43

umberelladay · 03/04/2024 19:37

I have never seen someone in a supermarket take a child out of the car and put them in a pushchair...never.
A car seat, yes but a pushchair. why would you?

If you have a pushchair Surely you would park on the far side of the car park with lots of space and then whizz them to the door.

Everyone I know does it. If its a small shop I put his car seat on the pram, self scan shop into bags underneath. Big shop I put his car seat on those car seat trolleys pulled up next to door. Shopping with partner? One pushes trolley, one pushes buggy. Shopping center? Of course I use a pram. I live in the city, it's busy right to the back of the car park! There is no loads of space.

FlyingHighFlyingLow · 03/04/2024 19:37

These spaces are for people that need more room, not necessarily closer to the shop. I used one when 37 weeks plus pregnant. I needed it, I was fucking huge. I'd have used it even if at back of car park (though imagine if you had SPD you would also need proximity). I need it now because I have the pram and car seat. Not necessarily 5yo, but I think it should be for people who need space due to pregnancy, pram etc. Once a child can get into car and do up their belt unaided I don't think they're needed and can use a normal space.

umberelladay · 03/04/2024 19:37

FlyingHighFlyingLow · 03/04/2024 19:34

What about getting them INTO the pushchair. In a P&C bay I can put the pram down the side. It's safe. If not I have to put the pram behind the car on the road where it could get hit. A walking child can wait down the side of the car with you.

I have never seen someone in a supermarket take a child out of the car and put them in a pushchair...never.
A car seat, yes but a pushchair. why would you?

If you have a pushchair Surely you would park on the far side of the car park with lots of space and then whizz them to the door.

ColleenDonaghy · 03/04/2024 19:37

berksandbeyond · 03/04/2024 19:34

How did breastfeeding mean you needed the space, out of interest? Or do you just love any reason to add that bit? 😂

I was wondering that. Grin

ColleenDonaghy · 03/04/2024 19:36

Notmyuser · 03/04/2024 19:34

Ours say under 12 and travelling in a child car seat, which I think is fair.

.

2mumlife · 03/04/2024 19:35

At least they had a child. I think anyone with a child should be able to use the spaces, as you can’t judge why they might need them for their child. But hate when anyone without a child uses the spots 😡. I only park in the parent-child spaces when I have my child physically with me

ColleenDonaghy · 03/04/2024 19:35

cadburyegg · 03/04/2024 18:47

But by definition children are not independent. Just because a 6 year old can walk doesn't make them independent - they still need supervision near roads and getting into cars.

As my children get older I see a lot of this kind of attitude from first time parents who assume because their babies are so young and needy, older kids can do everything for themselves and don't need help with anything. It is easy for someone with a small baby to think my 6 year old, for example, is basically a mini adult but he isn't.

Yes I remember when eldest was in the baby room the preschoolers seemed full-grown. Then before you know it there's a three year old despotic dictator living in your house and you learn the truth!

Notmyuser · 03/04/2024 19:34

berksandbeyond · 03/04/2024 19:34

How did breastfeeding mean you needed the space, out of interest? Or do you just love any reason to add that bit? 😂

She had her tits out when it happened. Duh.

FlyingHighFlyingLow · 03/04/2024 19:34

Kalevala · 03/04/2024 19:15

A child restrained in a pushchair is safer than one walking. A child walking has the greater need.

What about getting them INTO the pushchair. In a P&C bay I can put the pram down the side. It's safe. If not I have to put the pram behind the car on the road where it could get hit. A walking child can wait down the side of the car with you.

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