Parent/child spaces without the child

[Frogsalad]

I'm curious how many people would admit to using a parent/child space when they don't actually have their child with them, or their child is remaining in the vehicle?

I feel like this might be like asking "admit you don't pick up your dog poo" but I see it so often loads of people must do it.

This is such a “oh I’ve seen it somewhere” but you have no real evidence.

this whole thread is basically “what aboutism” in relation to disabled spaces. It does seem to Elbe entirely anecdotal re disabled spaces being unsuitable, and if they are, then that’s a separate issue.

I think most people would think it reasonable not to want young children running across busy car parks, there be space for a car seat to get in and out and that there be disabled spaces close to the entrance (which is a legal requirement, so if it’s not suitable, then the store is at fault).

So, in most circumstances, no, you should park in p&c space if you’re a decent human being (some allowances of Disabled spaces are full, obviously)

Because BB holders get a rough deal when it comes to parking. It's the same as buses, I agree with wheelchair users trumping pushchair users and I have seen parents complain about that one irl. There are people who get angry at BB holders using P&C spaces which is outrageous behaviour.

Maybe they should rename P&C spaces because it's often wooly what age child they refer to and there are other people who would benefit from a wider space near the store.

And before you ask, I don't have a BB and don't need a wide space.

That’s entirely unenforceable. There are disabled spaces and there are p&c spaces. I’m not sure how someone would determine who can use other spaces without some kind of badge system, which then defeats the purpose of the bb system? And sometimes these things are pretty subjective.

I did (used to) think people could use sound judgement in this respect- if you have little children, you need the space, otherwise you probably don’t.

Basically don’t park in a p&c space if there are other options. The majority of people parking in the spaces have no reason apart from laziness (and before someone goes crazy saying bb holders aren’t lazy, I’m amazingly not talking about them)

You're taking this very seriously 🙁. I'm just joining in the discussion. I wasn't aware I had to come up with evidence and links for my views.

With all due respect, you don't own the thread and people are allowed their views without an interrogation.

A perfect example of someone who thinks their want trumps a disabled person's need to be as close to the door as possible.

Use them when I've got my mum with me and she's having a bad day mobility wise.

Never had anyone mention anything (not that I'd give the shiniest shit) but I have got a resting bitch face so that might be the reason 🤣

(Should also add that the supermarket i take her to - been going for 20+ years and know everyone that works there by name 🤣 - know we use the p&c and are fine with it 😬)

Anyone who thinks a disabled person is selfish for using a CP space is a cunt. Not even worth the time to argue with them

Only on Mumsnet could you get a thread arguing that Parent and Child spaces are unnecessary for parents and children.. but are absolutely necessary for people who aren't 🤣

FWIW before I get jumped on... yes of course people who are disabled should be able to use them if there are no BB spaces, yes of course the BB spaces should be nearest to the shops over P&C and yes of course people should have a good think as to whether they actually need it on that occasion before using it 🙄

And to the people who ask what we do if there aren't any? I have twins and a toddler who is in the middle seat, yes I do have to remove the car seats to get the toddler out. If there aren't spaces, we mostly drive to another shop or go home.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I use them in the evenings when I shop late , always plenty of them and always empty 🤷‍♀️

It's not precious, you self-absorbed eejit, it's about being able to get your baby/child in and out of the car seat/sling/pram safely and without smacking the car door into your neighbour

if that were the actual reason they'd be in the far corner of the car park.

And those of us with older kids wouldn't have managed fine without them (admittedly we didn't drive SUVs although the people carrier types were around then). I just used to park further away. Yes you do get the magnetic person who parks next to you, but it wasn't generally a problem except at Christmas when every space was taken. Anyway nowadays you can shop online if you have kids and avoid the whole sorry experience.

What you clapping that for? They're supporting me as a disabled person. Unlike you

I used them when my Mum was wheelchair bound but couldn't get a blue badge. I was never challenged but was fully expecting one. I used to pop a sign in the windscreen saying something about wheelchair user on board to try and prevent anything.

Where has anyone said they are necessary for anyone other than BB holders?

Er... all the people who posted saying they use them because of varying levels of mobility due to illness/injury/age. Apparently parents with small children can "just shop online" but this would presumably not be appropriate to suggest to anyone else? This site is gloriously bonkers sometimes.

But no one said they were 'necessary' for other people.

Anyhow it's high time all parking spaces were made wider so there would be no need to reserve spaces for anyone other than BB holders.

Well, this seems to have diverged from the intended question (wish I could bloody edit) so although I have said in a separate reply further up, I do not consider BB holders wrong for using these spaces. I don’t see why anyone would take issue with that really, they have been issued a BB for a reason and if the space is not otherwise available I’m hardly about to claim my need is greater than theirs.
My post was solely relating to people like the woman I saw today who swung into the space - no child, no BB on show - and sauntered off into the shop. Loads of other spaces available.

Look out for my next car park gripe thread which will be entitled “I hate people who park in the crossed out bit at the end of the row in super markets”,

@Frogsalad it's incredibly difficult to get a blue badge. Many disabled people won't have one. And may well use the P&C spaces.

Not all disabilities are visible.

OP I had a BB for 20 years. The last renewal was refused as they're tightening up on BBs apparently. My disability hasn't gone away, if anything it's worse . My doctor, physiotherapist and occupational therapist are all horrified but I've been to appeal and I'm not allowed one anymore. Despite being a wheelchair user.

This.

This is exactly why spaces at the door should not be reserved exclusively for young parents and people who lobby for this are blinkered and entitled. Extra wide spaces for people with small children should be in the main body if the car park. It is unbelievably selfish to try and hog the spaces by the door.

I am sue to renew my PIP in may 2023. I'm not sure I'll get it again as they're tightening up and if I don't get pip I can't have a blue badge (in my area).

My needs won't have changed - in fact, they've worsened. But it's at the whim of an assessor whether or not I get pip. If I don't get pip, I don't get a blue badge. If I don't get a blue badge, I intend to park in parent and child spaces as I need to fully open the door to get out of the car, and a normal space isn't wide enough for me to be able to exit my vehicle.

*due

Ds is nearly 13. He has a blue badge. If I have to take him to a local supermarket I park in P and C spaces as someone in their genius thought parents needed to be nearer the shop than people with disabilities! So as long as they are the best spaces for his needs I will use them.