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?

MrsDeVere

I do agree with you on that score and have said that I don't think it's impossible.

I think there's overreaction on both ends of the scale tbh. Those who think that there should be spaces miles wide with their own security that you have to scan your baby at before you can park there, and those who think they're some sort of goddesses, a million times better at parenting because they can carry 15 babies barefoot through the snow to pick up a litre of milk!

It's hard sometimes being a parent. We're prone to exhaustion and isolation and depression. It is a shame to be the brunt of derision and ridicule.
But before MN I wasn't really aware of the scale of it from other women.

This.

I think it is the internet affect. People end up having vociferous opinions here, that in everyday life would barely cross their mind.

insummer No one on this thread has said parents who find P&C spaces a good idea are twats. Acting entitled to a space and having a go at someone using them does make you a twat though.

you may have a point!

I don't think parents en masse are the brunt of derision and ridicule! Most everyone here is a parent!

I do think these extras encourage helpless parenting from a few. I couldn't get any of my three out in a car seat easily so took them out - that is possible - even in a narrow gap. And at the time there were a few reports worrying about the effect on babies of being all crum

Crumpled up in car seats for hours on end anyway.

It's not a hugely difficult problem to solve really.

And I took a blanket to lie them in the reclining trolleys (which are a god send).

As per usual MrsDeVere is talking perfect sense on this thread.

And I think the parents who find it hard to get a baby out and about should sometimes consider how hard it must be for those with older children with disabilities to get out, or those adults with disabilities to get out. Not everyone is entitled to a blue badge, they are actually very hard to get, and sometimes for these people using the P and C spaces makes it a lot easier. I know getting DS around even as a newborn was a hell of a lot easier than when he is bad with his (extremely bad) asthma but I am also aware of the fact that is nothing to the battle a lot have on a daily basis to simply get out the house.

I think thats my issue with parents sense of 'entitlement' to these spaces, the lack of consideration as to why others may feel they need them just as much/more than a parent. If a space is free great use it but please don't berate those who use them some may just be lazy but others may really need them.

Perhaps they should just be labelled as "accessible" spaces rather than trying to make out one group needs them more than others. The only NEED for certain spaces is is for disabled people.

There is so much focus on MN on people being 'entitled'. It's all so very British. Parents require parent and child spaces to make life a little easier when shopping with babies and toddlers. That's why they were invented. People who don't need them who then use them, of which I've seen many, many cases, are twats. Get over it!

If there is a space free I use it. If not, I don't sweat it.

If someone feels they need to use one, elderly, has some heavy to load, and a myriad of other things I'm not going to begrudge that.

I don't even feel that cross if someone parks in there for no good reason tbh. Life is too short to get the rage over such matters.

I can manage perfectly well in a normal space, they are just a bit nicer.

And they are never free anyway!

I think they were invented because parents spend a lot per shop - to encourage them to the store. It it was being done on need then there would be elderly & temporarily disabled bays, rather than parent & child. But they don't spend enough to make it worth wooing them

Exactly Harold - the sane approach to supermarket parking

I know about painful after birth, trust me! But I really can't envisage a space you can't get a baby out of unless you have a hell of a wide car?

To be honest I prefer parking on the outskirts as there's less chance of someone parking right up against you, and also I'll admit I can't park for shit even in a punto!

Oh dear.... I'm guilty of this but I have to say, I've only done it once. My son is disabled and had a blue badge for six years. When we moved counties and the badge expired, the routine application was refused. Apparently (and ds has a life-long condition) he was no longer "bad enough" to qualify.

I used the parent child space in absolute desperation one afternoon when it was pissing down and I couldn't leave him in the car but I also couldn't physically carry him either whilst I "nipped in" to Morrison's. I'm not proud but....needs must.

Oh, and thanks David Cameron. You should try carrying a ten yr old!

How is that over dramatic MrsDeverre?

It was a comment I made in response to some of the snide remarks I read on this thread. Not dramatic.

insummer You must have magical powers that can tell if a person is disabled or not. Some people use them because they are not entitled to a BB but they still have mobility issues.

Eliza - carry on using the P and C space, no matter what some may say on threads like this it sounds like you need is much more than someone with a babies would be.

Exactly, you just can't tell. So having the rage is just pointless.

It is hard sometimes. it is isolating. One of the good things about somewhere like MN is being able to connect with other parents about inane shit. And not have the piss taken.

And it's unpleasant to read some of the things that people write on here.
There's no need for it. It's just gratuitously picking on people.
I do find it hurtful.

"no matter what some might say on threads like this"
Who? Where?
What?
Nobody has made a comment coming anywhere close to suggesting that Eliza's use of such a space is in the wrong.

Btw I'm not saying all people who use P&C spaces without children in the car are disabled but some may be, so think about that before you brand them all twats or even worse, confront them.

Eliza of course you should use it!

Tbf all this "people on this thread" nonsense is confusing me, I haven't seen anyone say someone with disabilities shouldn't use the spaces!