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?

Er, I know that saintly
But they are used mainly by mothers or female primary careers and I think the derisory tone adopted when discussing their use is related to the derisory language used about women in outer society.

I really think you're making a huge leap there.

Strictly speaking, you can only park in Tesco P&C spaces if you are a member of their baby club and are displaying the badge they send you. Never ever seen them enforce it, but it's in the very small print. So nerrrrr.

I try to park near a trolley bay and leave DD in the car while I get the trolley and then pop her in. She is not going to spontaneously combust. The car did set itself on fire, once, but that's another story*. At least I was in it too. Other than that, I would like to evangelise about the amazingness that is swivelly car seats. I can get 18mo DD in the car safely with a teeny tiny gap!

*I am not even joking. The endcap on the spill pipe ruptured so fuel was spraying all over the engine. It set on fire a bit. Fortunately it's diesel which doesn't exactly burn very well, but still, OMFG CAR ON FIRE a teeny tiny bit . Nice Mr RAC came out to see me. Although wouldn't you know, that time I had parked in P&C and the filthy looks I got for taking up that space waiting for Mr RAC were astounding

Amanda Thanks for letting me know! I've just texted DH to let him know that P&C spaces aren't for him since he only has one X chromosome, the space-hogging bastard.

It's him who needs his own postcode to get DD out of the car, not me.

THOU ART A SELFISH ENTITLED WANKBADGER QUIETBATPERSON

So am I because I did the same and I wasn't on crutches. Just asked nicely at customer services and they said it was ok since I clearly had a child under 5 with me

Now now commander a car being on fire really isn't a good enough excuse.... You could have had a fire in a normal space

Does anyone remember that poster who keyed a car displaying a blue badge that was parked in a p&c space. Presumably parked there because the disabled spaces were full. That's the level of lunacy these spaces drive people to.

It's not appropriate of then other spaces are too small to get kids from car seats......however using them at 10pm is ok cos kids should be bed ???

I luffs MrsDeVere

We don't have them in my town. Everyone copes fine.

Yes. What MrsDeVere said. 100%

WHy on earth would someone begrudge a pregnant woman using a P/C parking space, quietbat? It's bloody difficult getting back in to the ar when some twat decided to park a couple of inches from your door. Happened to me, I had to get customer services to find the shopper...so both of us were inconvenienced. If I had parked in a P/C space (instead of being worried of being approached by a crazed space Nazi) neither of us would have been inconvenienced.

I know you have said you wouldn't challenge people but plenty on this thread have said they would and do with no consideration for how shit that could make someone feel who was already having a tough time.

It's actually a big coincidence I saw this thread this morning because I go into a discussion yesterday when a pile of women started ranting about P&C spaces...almost none of them knew it was just a courtesy, most of them thought that the fine some stores threaten isn't actually enforceable and (this was the kicker for me), they all thought if you have a child that can walk that you are committing a heinous crime for using them and all of them thought if you have needs that a p/c space helps to fulfil that you should have a Blue Badge because ALL disabilities (didn't ask about temporary such as having pregnancy hip issues or an injury) qualify for one...I am often worried if I am just out with my eldest child that someone will challenge me for using one because of those attitudes (older child has SPD issues that make a P/C space a little easier to use). None of them thought that there may be childless people who, if the spaces are closer to the shop, might have issues that weren't bad enough to have a Blue Badge but a space closer to the shop would help them.

My mother has a blue badge. If there are no spaces, she parks in P&C spaces. My idiot of a brother and SIL whose kids are all over 5 years old, think this is wrong. This is the kind of entitlement that is so wrong.

And google blue badge entitlement, there are plenty of people with health problems that don't qualify. I have an intermittent condition, and don't qualify. When it is at its worst, my DP either drops me by the entrance to places and goes and parks, or if I am on my own, and I will have to park a bit away, I just don't even try.

When did I say that only women are allowed to use p&c spaces?
Oh, wait. I didn't .
But don't let the truth get in the way of your own fabricated confusion/ bemusement.

And my concern is not having a car get damaged. But if you choose to believe that then I guess it helps your argument.

I cannot understand this belief parents are entitled to a designated p&pc space
P&c simply not necessary,it's discretionary provision ,not something one should feel entitled to
And they seem to mainly be used by squiffy parkers or Chelsea tractors

I once parked in a p/c space with my then 6 year old.
I was questioned very nicely by a man who pulled over in his car. He was very polite as was I.

When I got into the supermarket I watched him struggle through the car park with 3 under 5's ( appeared) and an older child who it appeared had SN.

I felt really ashamed ??.
I've never used one again.

What's the law got to do with it? It's about manners and thoughtfulness.
i don't understand why some people think that a space that has been marked out and labelled by the owners of a car park, for a specific, courteous use, is validly open to such a belittling attitude.

Being told to shop online, buy a different car, learn to park.
Rude. Not illegal,,but rude.
I park vy well. The extra space still helps. It's great when there's one free. I don't use them when I don't have the dcs with me. I cope without the spaces when they'rre not available. Obviously.

a space that has been marked out and labelled by the owners of a car park, for a specific, courteous use

It has nothing to do with courtesy. It's all about making the shop an attractive place for parents to spend their money.

I have parked in a P&C space without having a child in tow. It was a genuine error made while I just wasn't thinking about it because I do normally have DD with me. I wouldn't have taken kindly to someone getting uppity with me about it.

It has nothing to do with courtesy. It's all about making the shop an attractive place for parents to spend their money.

I think the former happens to dovetail nicely with the latter. It doesn't mean it's not courteous.

Grennie Sun - And google blue badge entitlement, there are plenty of people with health problems that don't qualify. I have an intermittent condition, and don't qualify. When it is at its worst, my DP either drops me by the entrance to places and goes and parks, or if I am on my own, and I will have to park a bit away, I just don't even try.

This. My dad is 71 and had his blue badge taken away because he can walk 50 metres with a stick. I guess we should be grateful that he's been miraculously cured of his incurable nerve condition! He may or may not be able to make it 50 metres without falling, but after that it doesn't matter it seems (he does fall quite a lot).

Even when he had his blue badge, the parking spaces are poorly allocated and the disabled bays were often full when there were tumbleweeds blowing through the empty parent & child spaces. Many of the disabled bays are also further away from the entrance than the P&C spaces, for some reason.

I think I'll tell him to start parking in them now.

lookat - I parked once in P&T spaces. It was actually at 7.30pm at night and there were loads of free ones. I got really glared at by a couple.

I don't see the big deal. I have 3 children under the age of 4 and have never once felt the need to use a parent and child space. I just park the car in a free space.