At what age is it unreasonable to use the parent and child spaces on a car park?

[TheFlipsideOfTheCoin]

Just that really.

Saw a woman with a young teen (about 14 years old) use a parent and child space at Tesco yesterday.

Also saw a family with a baby using a normal space, although they could have used the parent and child spaces as there were some available.

So just wondering.

I think Tesco have a sign up near that area saying it's for parents with kids less than 5 years old.

My dad still parks there and his youngest child is 21!!

35

When they are not in car seats I would have thought, but that's just a rough guess (I don't drive). If you have to mess about with a car seat and get them safely into a trolly/pushchair with extra room needed then you should use a P & C space.

When the child can get out of the car with no help needed.so about age 4-5

12?

Our local supermarkets all have signs saying for P&C children under 12 only.
I'd have a cut off if the youngest was 4.

I would say when the child no longer needs a car seat. I will keep using them until my son is safe to get himself out of the car, so going by DD's ability about the age of 5/6.

As for the family you saw using a normal space, why did that bother you?
The parent and child spaces are a bonus, you don't have to park in them if you don't want to.
Same as a disabled person can choose to park in other spots if they so wish, even if a disabled space is available.

Junior school kids and younger okay. Senior school kids - not okay.

It wasn't reasonable, but my mum did it when I was 19 once. ONLY ONCE THOUGH.

Maybe when you stop needing the extra space to get a buggy sorted?

Is it because the spaces are bigger? I thought it was just because they're closer to the shop.

I think it should be till the child can open the door safely ie without banging it on the car next to them.

up to 12

LittlePrincess

It didnt bother me in the slightest. Just something I noticed after watching the other woman use a P&C space with no small children.

I'd say until a parent doesn't have to lean in to fasten the seat belts. I'm average build but can struggle to squeeze in if the car door can only be opened a little.

TheFlipsideOfTheCoin Thu 30-May-13 18:03:40
+Is it because the spaces are bigger? I thought it was just because they're closer to the shop*

I don't care how close to the shop they are, it's the space to get DS in and out of his car seat and into his pushchair.

Never used them even when DT's were little - don't agree with P & C spaces !

If your using a pram or have a small toddler

Till they can get in and out of the car themselves and do up their seltbeat.
Most children are capable of walking from a car to the shop and if they are in a pushchair then distance doesn't really matter does it?

64 and 36....

My mate did at tescos and thought it fine. I laughed but wouldn't have had her bravado tbh....

I agree with Headless - until the age the children can open the door safely without banging into the next car & you're not needing extra room to stretch across & buckle them in!

I'll keep using them until mine can get out of the car without needing to open the door as far as they can go.

i have 4 children and i still use the P&C spaces as my youngest, who is 5 still dashes off behind cars. its not the width we need, just the fact they are closest to the paths, and its hard to hold all hands at the same time.

It really isn't about the distance to the shop--in may cases they are much further away from the entrance. What makes them different is the wider space (for leaning in & dealing with car seats, etc.).

usually they are also connected to the entrance by some sort of pavement--this helps to ensure that children can walk to the shop safely without dodging cars.

I would also say until they have stopped using car seats / boosters as a rough guide.