To want to monitor supermarket car parks voluntarily to catch people without children parking in the parent/child parking spaces?

[Hotmad]

Ok it's me again but a lot of things have occurred to me today that are unreasonable.
Today as I came out of the supermarket a woman in a big nice Mercedes pulled in next to my car into the parent and child bays, she did not have a child with her! I was so angry but as I'm not the confrontational type I threw her my best evil look and made a mental note to vent on MN later about it.
I never cared before but now I Have a new baby I realise there aren't actually that many of these bays going and if people use fraudulently then this is not fair and something needs to be done!

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

My apologies, Candycoatedwaterdrops - I should have checked more carefully before posting.

[candycoatedwaterdrops]

Nah no worries, my apologies too. I was snarky. Sending

[2tiredtocare]

that these threads always attract a yawn, a 'how original' and then a butt load of responses

[gilliangoof]

O.M.G.
I have 3 children of 6 months, 2 years and 4 years and not once in the past 4 years have I have even thought of using one of these spaces.
People with babies do not need these spaces. Use them if you want but it really doesn't matter if they are all taken. Park your car in another space.

[gilliangoof]

O.M.G.
I have 3 children of 6 months, 2 years and 4 years and not once in the past 4 years have I have even thought of using one of these spaces.
People with babies do not need these spaces. Use them if you want but it really doesn't matter if they are all taken. Park your car in another space.

[FustJantastic]

Just out of curiosity, at what point are parents meant to stop using P&C parking spaces? I regularly use them still even though my children are 9 and 6... I can imagine still using them when my children are 25 and 22... I will still be their parent and they will still be my children!

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

You're right, gilliangoof - they aren't essential. They are a helpful thing - sadly some people don't want someone else who to get a bit of extra help that they themselves don't get.

In general, P&C spaces don't harm other car park users, as far as I can see. I don't use them now - I don't remember how old the youngest was when I stopped, but he is nearly 17 now, so it's at quite a number of years - and I have never felt my life has been negatively impacted by P&C spaces, and I really cannot understand how some people can be so petty and mean about their existence.

Candycoated - - yum! Thanks.

[AnandaTimeIn]

I would say you need to get a life....

HTH

[SpecialAgentFreyPie]

I only read the OP because these threads are usually pretty similar.

Personally, I only care about blue badge spaces.

Just curious why the type of car mattered? Surely someone who parked there in an old banger without a child would be just as annoying?

[SpecialAgentFreyPie]

In my dream world, all spaces are designed to fit the bloody car, and there are 4x as many blue badge spaces.

Blissful dream world

[fancyanotherfez]

It does slightly irritate me when I see someone without children in a P & C space, but for my DH, the P & C space is the thing that makes having children worthwhile- he loves them. He always looks for them in any available car park even when there are millions of other spaces . He once complained to Morrisons about a man who parked in a P & C space and got him chucked out! He's the only person I know who has ever done this!

[itsaruddygame]

Well I am a saddo like you OP. It pisses me off when people without children park in them and to those of you who would never dream of using parent and child bays - for gods sake why not? it's a hell of a lot easier getting babies in and out with some extra space and you don't get any prizes for doing it the hard way!

[rideyourbike]

I like the parent and child spaces because there is more space, I can actually ope the car doors fully so the kids can get in and out easily! I wouldn't mind parking a bit further away, but the spaces are so small these days because of all the inconsiderate types driving round the city in their 4x4s and monster trucks, but that's a whole new thread....

[Hotmad]

Many people saying they wouldn't mind parking further away but thinking of a mum with maybe more than 1 or a toddler or a younger child, what if child run off?
Surely better to be closer for safety reasons too.

[Sirzy]

How do they cope out in the big bad world if they can't find a way to safely get around with their children though?

[ComposHat]

What do you imagine you can do? They have no legal statadvicehey are not compulsory aand there is no mechanism to fine anyone.
Feel free to keep monitoring them though. My heartfelt advice would be to have a wank and get over yourself

[MomOfTwoGirls2]

Ha. If OP has time to do that, she has too much free time on her hands, and not really in need if these spaces...

I'm a chemo patient. If my bones are aching or I'm feeling grotty, I take one of these spaces if they are close to shop entrance. And it doesn't bother me in the slightest!!! I have yet to meet a parking attendant who had a problem with this.

[Weegiemum]

I never got riled about P&C spaces. But parents using the disabled bays because the p&c are full has me hitting people with my crutches!

[amandine07]

An ex-boyfriend's mother used to always park in the mother & child buss at her local supermarket...she always had her grandson's car seat in the back but he wasn't always there.

She really didn't give a toss, it was quite funny when she mentioned it, trying to justify parking in one of those spaces.
More recently, when I was heavily pregnant I'd park in those spaces...figured I practically had a child anyway!

If the spaces are empty then what's the harm?
Parking in disabled parking bays, now that is another story entirely!

[Arkina]

My dad was disabled, needed a stick or frame to walk so parking near shops was essential. My mum still worked at that time so Id take him to Asda park him in the cafe with a coffee, sandwich and paper while I shopped.

We got there one day - no disabled bays. plenty of p&c bays. Yes I could have dropped him at the entrance and gone and parked but he suffered from severe osteoporosis and got very anxious on his own incase he got bumped.

So I decided to park in a p&c bay. While he was getting out the car and I was getting his walking frame we were approached by a woman with 2 boys Id say were 10 & 12 who started ranting about what a disgrace we were depriving someone like her of a bay.

Now to any reasonable person it would be clear who was in more need of a bay near the shop. Dad let her rant then interrupted her.

'parent and child bay is it'
She pointed to the sign confirming it
'thats ideal then' he said with a charming smile.
'Shes my daughter, Im her dad so were a parent and child'

Her face was shut. She had NO reply

Damn I miss him

[tokentotty]

Yes, of course keep P&C spaces free unless needed. Anyone posting on this subject will get flamed. full stop. end of.
However, if someone who obv has no kids/is not disabled uses it? Strap a pair on, give them merry hell. I have a big car and probably more young kids than is advisable. No, I can't always get a P&C space which I need to usher all the buggers out. If not? I drive to the furthest away space that allows me to open doors freely. They're children, they're not going to get rusty in the 100m dash to the supermarket in the rain. Breathe in, breathe out....but yes, shout at the selfish fuckwits with no kids in the P&C spaces

[Lotkinsgonecurly]

I have 2 words online shopping!! It gets delivered to you too!! More than 2 words but you order, they deliver. Fantastic invention... Or wAlking!!

[BrianTheMole]

.but yes, shout at the selfish fuckwits with no kids in the P&C spaces

Go for it. You think they will move for you? I wouldn't move for someone that did that. Rational conversation? Yes if I felt the need was greater. Shouting? Nope, fook off.

Arkina Sorry to hear about your dad. He sounds cool.

[FlockOfTwats]

They're not enforcable so if you're really sad enough to care, go and monitor them all you like, there's nothing anyone can do about misuse of them.

[frumpet]

I worked out years ago that easiest place to park at supermarkets is as far away from the place as possible , in all the empty spaces where i can leave my car and and swing a trolley round to my hearts content . Yes i do have to walk a bit further , say 300 yards , but i am sure i read some spurious bit of research somewhere that said exercise is good for you