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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed at everyone who uses the parent and toddler parking who shouldn't?

304 replies

sunshinemeg · 24/09/2014 20:07

I am prepared to be told I am being a twat, but it's really bugging me.

So many people get angry (quite rightly so) at people who are not disabled using disabled parking spaces. However it seems so many more people use the parent and toddler spaces who really shouldn't.

The signs variously state
-for parents with children under 5
-for parents with children in pushchairs etc

Why do I see people park with their children who then jump out and walk off without a pushchair, it drives me mad, especially when I am struggling with a 6 month old and limited space to open her car door or get a pushchair remotely close enough!

OP posts:
SauvignonBlanche · 25/09/2014 08:30

"Disabled spaces should not be compared to parent and child spaces" - ever in my opinion but they always are on these bloody threads. Angry

I parked in a P&C space last week with my 13yr old DD, it was the only space I could see within a mile of the shop and I'm knackered, as am recovering from 3 recent operations. There were other P&C spots available, I'd have given up and gone home if it had been a BB spot. I'd crawl across the car park rather than park in one of those.

RedToothBrush · 25/09/2014 08:45

I was amused at the P&C spaces at a nearby Tesco recently. They are at the side by a path.

The trouble is the location of the trolley parks. Everyone in the car park just dumped their trolleys on the path completely obstructing it.

In fairness the attendant was in the process of moving them all when we arrived. But by the time we got back to the car 40mins later the problem was even worse! It would have been much easier if we hadn't used the space.

So I think that on terms of consideration and planning there is much more to the issue than simply bastards parking in them who shouldn't.

Dawndonnaagain · 25/09/2014 08:48

I park in them with my 18 year old daughter.
She has a blue badge and Tesco have the parent and child spaces nearer the door than the blue badge spaces. Until they rectify this, I shall continue to do so.

Marmiteandjamislush · 25/09/2014 08:54

YABU It's a courtesy not a right. Although we generally only use them with my 15 yo nephew, who is a wheelchair user, when there are no accessible spaces available.

AngelsOnHigh · 25/09/2014 08:55

What did all the parents do (in the olden) days before these spaces became designated parking spaces.

It goes without saying that disabled spaces have and always be necessary.

However I have yet to see a designated space for me. You know the ordinary, everyday people who drive round and round looking for a car space that doesn't have a designated sign on it. Have even seen "Senior"spaces.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 25/09/2014 09:02

Angels. Well to be fair, you don't need a designated space.

Rockdoctor · 25/09/2014 09:04

I think the ideal is for P&C spaces to be further away from the store than other spaces. I only know of one store that does this (it is a Tesco), and I think it's great. I can always get a spot, I have enough room to get pushchairs etc out, and the extra walk doesn't bother me. The problem is that most stores think that P&C spaces need to be by the front door - they don't.

Delphiniumsblue · 25/09/2014 09:54

Whoever plans car parks needs to use more thought and there is absolutely no reason why P&C spaces can't be in a far corner.

LurkingHusband · 25/09/2014 09:58

P&C spaces are not about being closer to the store, but about being wider to allow parents to easily - and safely - take a toddler in/out of a car seat, by allowing the car door to open fully.

Disabled spaces are about being closer to the store, but also have the extra width so a wheelchair can fit alongside a car - again with the door open fully.

Some of the shenanigans about P&C and BB parking could be solved if the car park layout was such that the spaces nearest the store were the longest possible drive through the car park.

AliceDoesntLiveHereAnymore · 25/09/2014 10:14

YANBU, although I think that the few who have said that children of school age are too old for parents to be using those spots should back off a bit.

I park in them when I have my 5yo and 8yo along because my 8yo uses a wheelchair. He isn't able to get a blue badge because he can walk a short distance, but needs the wheelchair for outings due to numerous reasons regarding his disabilities. So it is helpful to have those there, as I cannot use the disabled space. I have had people make a few comments though. I don't generally go into an explanation, as it's not their business what disabilities my ds has. And from a practical standpoint, if they're upset over me using a P&C space with an 8yo in a wheelchair FFS, they're a hamburger short of a Happy Meal anyway. Hmm

helensburgh · 25/09/2014 10:17

Havnt read throu but isn't he whole idea of. Parent and child space for safety of the child .
Ie wider space for the buggy while getting child in and out, wider space for toddler to stand safely etc.

YANBU

123Jump · 25/09/2014 10:23

There is no argument IMO. Certain spaces are designated as P&C. There fore people should not use them unless they have a child.
They are particularly handy if you have a small baby in a car seat, as it is hard to get the seat out unless the door is quite wide.
However, I do feel and exception should be made for those who have a blue badge and also need the extra space. If all disabled spaces are full, I feel it is ok for those who need it to use it.
I have in the past driven out of a P&C space to give it to a blue badge holder.

ILovePud · 25/09/2014 11:01

YANBU, it's difficult strapping a baby or toddler in when spaces are tight, spaces further away are not always available and you can't guarantee that people won't come and park next to you and struggle when getting then child back in. Some of the comments directed at you on here are hugely OTT and nasty.

Vintagejazz · 25/09/2014 11:04

I have no problem with extra wide spaces being reserved for parents who have to lift a child out of the car, but I do have an issue with them being beside the door. I would prefer to see elderly shoppers get priority for these premium spaces (after disabled people of course).

Also, if a car park is full (which my local one often is at the weekend) and I have driven around for a while waiting for a space to become free to no avail and someone pulls out of a P&T space then I see no reason not to park in it. Why should I go home without my shopping in case a mother and child arrive a few minutes later?

Vintagejazz · 25/09/2014 11:10

Actually I do have a problem with extra wide spaces being solely reserved for parents. I know a lot of elderly people who find it quite difficult to manoeuvre themselves in and out of a car without the door being open as wide as possible. No supermarkets reserve spaces for them. But of course they're not likely to be shopping for four or five people, or spending a fortune on nappies, bumper boxes of cereal, etc etc.

19lottie82 · 25/09/2014 11:15

I don't think it's much to do with the distance to the store, rather than the size of the spaces. Means there's enough room to fully open the car door and manoeuvre the kiddy winks plus prams / car seats, with less struggling.

Lambsie · 25/09/2014 11:20

I use them with my disabled 7 year old who doesn't have a blue badge. I will continue to use them as long as I feel necessary. Those who think shopping is difficult with a baby or toddler should try it with an older child or adult with a severe learning disability .

WhereHas1999DissappearedToo · 25/09/2014 11:36

YABU. I live in a city where no car parks have these, even big supermarkets and I managed perfectly fine when DD was a baby.

I really don't understand the need for these, people managed years ago without them and people manage fine where I live.

IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece · 25/09/2014 11:54

If the only child you have with you is a child over school age then you are a disgrace if you use the P&C parking spaces

This is an absolutely excellent over reaction...I'm tickled by this :o

I've nothing against wider spaces but I don't think they should be p&c only...there's a ton of reasons why people need wider spaces and it shouldn't be limited to those with children

IceRocket · 25/09/2014 12:05

Can I just add, apologies if anyone already has said this, I do still use child spaces with my 4 & 6 year old dcs because it's safer than having them walk across a busy car park. The child spaces near us are upto age 12, I think for that reason.

People who do not have children/are not disabled/are not heavily pregnant on the other hand should not use them. Don't let it get you mad though, they obviously think they are more entitled and not worth getting het up over

KateTheHuman · 25/09/2014 12:09

I've started using them now but I haven't got a child...yet. I am pregnant though and I love being able to park without worrying about someone parking ridiculously close so I have to try and squeeze in the door or get in the passenger's side and climb over to the driver's seat. That's something I definitely can't imagine myself being able to do anymore hee. If you join Tesco's Tesco Loves Baby group they actually give you a sticker saying you can use the P&C spaces. Thankfully at my local Tesco they're not close to the entrance so people tend not to use them unless they need to. I don't think people should use them if they don't need to but if they're near the entrance I can see the temptation.

KateTheHuman · 25/09/2014 12:10

I was trying to answer the AIBU but my brain went on a bit of a wander and I lost the point i was trying to make haha

HamishBamish · 25/09/2014 12:14

It does make me laugh when you see someone parking in one and their teenage children get out of the car.

I found them useful when the children were very small, but haven't used them since the youngest turned 3. IME it's often other parents who take the piss, using them when they have no children but just a car seat in the car, or when their 'children' are old enough to hold a driving licence of their own!

Thebodyloveschocolateandwine · 25/09/2014 12:16

Get a grip.

I didn't have a car when my older 2 were little so we walked or did the bus. Now that is bloody hard.

As a cm with 4 littlies I never needed to use them either. We always parked as far away as possible and them walked. Walking is good for kids and mums.
As a TA now it worries me that so many of our reception kids seem to have no road sense at all and that's due to using cars wall to wall and hardly walking anywhere.

If you are young enough to have a baby you are generally fit and healthy so you don't need preferential treatment. Open the door, pick out toddler/s or baby and out in the seat in the trolly or her reins if your kid is a bolter.

All the p&c spaces should be given to the less able, the old and the heavily pregnant.

HamishBamish · 25/09/2014 12:21

Just because you didn't use them TheBody, it doesn't mean other people don't find them useful. Supermarkets have them because it attracts customers, not out of the kindness of their hearts. It's purely a business decision for them.

Lots of people use cars and walk/use public transport. I have always used my car for the weekly shop, but my children have road sense. It is possible to have both.