To get infuriated by people mis using parent and child spaces?

[nothingbyhalves]

It's all in the title really. A woman just told me she had parked in one because she had a dog in her car. Aibu to think she is inconsiderate?

sirzy You might consider that p&c spaces are not necessary but your point does not justify their "misuse".

Supermarkets are the main problem with small spaces and poorly parked neighbouring cars ime.

Don't come to my town, as I said we don't have any P&C spaces, Cuts out all the P&C angst.

Although i think there may be some down at Homebase with a picture of a pram and the disabled sign in.

Forget the argument of whether or not p&c spaces are a necessity or not for a moment. They exist and parents find them helpful. The issue surely is is it or not acceptable for people to disregard common curtesy and inconvenience others without a care?

I don't think it is acceptable. But then I would like to live in a society which consists of considerate people.

I don't mind misuse of P&C places but get infuriated by people who misuse the disability spots as my husband is severely disabled and needs one. Last week we went to supermarket and a non-blue badge holder took the last 2 spaces by parking in the centre of them. I went apeshit at her.

Agree nothing sums it up well!

But that thing is you don't know why someone is using it, you don't know if they need it. It may surprise some people but sometimes parents don't have the greatest need for the closer/bigger spaces!

They are a convenience if they are free OP, not a right.

I think parents of overweight kids should be made to park furthest from the shop to encourage exercise. jk

I actually think it is the people who abuse the P and C spaces who are more likely to abuse the disabled spaces. It is the same selfish mindset. They don't give a fuck as plainly stated by some on here.

No I don't think so. Bizarre logic there. I wouldn't dream of parking in a disabled spot, unless dh was with me as a badge holder. Really, there is no comparison between disabled spots, where people actually need to be closer to the store, and parents who just think they need to be closer. Unless they have a disability themselves, then they really don't.

Maybe they should start charging for the p&c spots. 50p a minute?

YANBU. They are for parents and children. So weird all this 'entitlement' and 'I survived without this newfangled idiocy'. Well yes you did, but come on it was a bit hard and rubbish wasn't it? Out of the depths of focus group insights - ta daaa- p+c parking was born. You make my life easier, I'll shop with you.
A few years back I did have a massive go at 2 guys who pulled into p+c spot, a few factors involved v busy, rain, me with young baby. They actually apologised and moved. I did not feel entitled but did feel that they were in a better position than I at the time to negotiate said car park. Courtesy really. Not sure what the fuss is all about!

How do I cope? I burst into tears and sob uncontrollably until someone gets out of a P&C space. For goodness sake.
What do you think I do?

Yanbu

I would move if someone asked politely, but if someone had a massive go at me, I would lock the car and walk off.

Not my finest hour I admit, wish I could say that I calmly and with a reasonable air asked them to move but I didn't. I ranted. Situation did improve, they apologised for car, I apologised for my manner, they moved car and I said thank you. It was quite fluffy in the end.

Fair play.

I actually think it is the people who abuse the P and C spaces who are more likely to abuse the disabled spaces. It is the same selfish mindset. They don't give a fuck as plainly stated by some on here.

No I don't think so. Bizarre logic there. I wouldn't dream of parking in a disabled spot, unless dh was with me as a badge holder. Really, there is no comparison between disabled spots, where people actually need to be closer to the store, and parents who just think they need to be closer. Unless they have a disability themselves, then they really don't.

I agree with Brian. I sometimes use a P&C space without my son in the car, but never use the blue badge space when husband not in car.

My son has severe sn and uses a sn buggy but does not have a blue badge. Without the extra space of a p and c space, getting him in and out of the car would be much more difficult and he would be less safe. Having the space makes one part of the supermarket trip less stressful.

I'd just be embarrassed to use them without having a child with me. Just doesn't seem right to me.

I don't park in P&C spaces.

Though I do remember a day when I went with 17 year old (AS) ds to a shopping centre to buy him interview clothes. He doesn't do waiting, and he didn't want to be there.

There was a P&C space and God, was I tempted.

Luckily I found another one. But I still contend that my need with him was far, far greater than a healthy woman with an NT 4 year old [sigh]

Sometimes you can't always see the need, and I do agree that it would be polite to leave a space for those in greater need. So maybe those of you with NT older toddlers might think of that.

We are back to: if you have one healthy child, should you leave the last space in case the next person has a younger child/twins/a child with a disability/is pregnant with SP/is very old/is borderline "disabled".

In fact, as a healthy mother of an older toddler should you ever take the last space?

People like Lamsie, for example.

Why don't you apply for blue badges lambsie to give yourself more options?

Should we all just get printed, on the side of our car doors, all if our personal complaints, illnesses and family situation so that we may decide whether we are worthy of a space?
This sports utility vehicle contains:
1 x toddler. Good disposition, sleeps well, eats anything.
1 x pregnant lady, early thirties, second trimester, mild excercise induced asthma and one sore eye due to conjunctivitis. Size 10.
I probably should park 4 miles from the supermarket just to keep everyone happy.

Haven't read the whole thread but those P&C spaces are useful when getting children in and out of the of the car. There is enough space on either side for a parent to open the door wide enough.
Parking in such a narrow parking space is fine if you're on you're own. However, if you have children and you get some moron who can't park on either side of you (has happened to me one too many times) then it fucking makes life difficult!