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

[sunshinemeg]

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!

I dont know, Lambsie, in the article, Sainsburys seemed quite happy to fine a blue badge holder.

Oh and in most cases the 'charges' are from parking companies rather than the landowner. These are the modern day clampers, in other words complete bastards. So it wouldn't surprise me if they tried to charge a disabled person in a P&C spot, and they probably don't care about the publicity.

needsacosmo - you are totally unreasonable (i know you weren't asking!) The fact that disabled spaces are provided does NOT mean a disabled person MUST use those spaces and no others. If another space is more convenient for that particular blue-badge holding disabled person, then they have the right to use it. You were totally in the wrong. And very rude.

needacosmo proves the point as why these threads always go pear shaped.
BB always trumps "having a child" end of

I totally agree op and can't understand why others on this site can't see it

Yes of course I could park elsewhere, but the spaces are provided for people like myself who have to get a baby in a car seat into a pram and appreciate the extra space provided to do so safely. The fact they are closer to the supermarket is a bonus and actually their downfall as that's the reason the selfish twats who don't need to use them park there.

But Eminy can you not see that baby doesn't trump all other needs and other people will also have a need to be able to park there?

Yes some people are selfish and use them but not everyone who uses one without having a small child is selfish for doing so

Of course, if a disabled person needs to use a p&c space because the disabled ones are all occupied, or if the p&c is easier for them for whatever reason then that is understandable. Not what I am talking about though.

But you didn't specify that and at the end of the day 'disabled' can come in so many different guises or people have need for different reasons.

I still think the spaces should be at the back of the car park, but I bet far fewer parents would need To use them then

I know, I made the rookie mistake of not reading the full thread and see that the conversation had moved on to disabled people using the spaces. Sorry

why call it parent and toddler, op?

most of the time it is 'parent and child'. often up to age 12

it is never called 'parent and baby' though, so no idea why you parked there with a six month old

needascombo your post is actually quite shocking.

Sorry needascosmo I meant.

There is absolutely no comparison whatsoever between the needs of a disabled person and the needs of a parent with small children. It is attitudes like yours that make me wish sometimes that they would just remove these spaces. They are definitely breeding an unbelievably self entitled attitude.

nomdemere, my issue isnt with the fact that they diddnt have a right to park there, I know its come across as VU, and maybe it was.

But he came across as really selfish for the fact that there was a choice of loads of disabled spaces or one parent and child space, and he chose to take up that one so the people with kids couldnt. Thats why it seemed so unreasonable. And then to be such a dick about it. If he had genuinely needed it then of course I wouldn't have spoken to him or minded at all, And I know I got all ranty (Im really anxious today) but I'm not in any way saying BB holders dont have a right to park where they like.

But to do that when it gets you no closer to the store, when there is no benefit whatsoever, is a bit dickish in my opinion and has a complete lack of regard for the fact that other people are struggling to do their shopping too. I have a spinal cord injury, but I've never claimed for a BB, my mum was on crutches and I find it really difficult to get my child out as my car doors are big. If he hadn't have driven past all the empty ones to take the last p&c space it wouldnt have bothered me but i dont think having a BB trumps everything like that when it made no difference to them, but a huge inconvenience to us.

I've seen buisness people sat there in company cars swiping into p&c spaces and grabbing the last ones off people just to get closer when they have had no kids in the car. It wasnt the fact that he is disabled that I have a problem with (and I know im probably wording this awfully), but its the complete disregard for other people and the fact that they might be struggling that really gets to me sometimes. And he used the fact that he was a BB holder to get out of the fact that he had done it.

dD has blue badge for her safety. We sometimes use parent and child spaces if they are nearer, although she is 8.

YY to spaces at the back of the car park!

needsacosmo if you had had a go at me for parking at me in the P&C space with my BB, I'd have laughed at you and gone off to do my shopping!
As for calling a staff member Asda, Tesco and Morrisons have all told me it is perfectly fine to park in the P&C spaces!

Please be aware though, that people have been fined for parking in p&c spaces with a blue badge, but no children (as per the article I linked to)

consider me told!

lesson learnt.. Do my shopping at a quieter bloody time where I can just get a normal space. I thought he was being so selfish but its me!

I guess I should be grateful that my wheelchair user is a child, so nobody has a go at me if I use a P&C space.

Interesting article hazeyjane. But my God some of the comments after it made me feel quite sick. There are some unbelievably selfish and self entitled parents out there. Thankfully they are in the minority and not speaking for everyone. But it's still an eyeopener to read some of those ignorant comments.

That was 4 years ago though, hazy, and there has been a lot of publicity since saying fines aren't enforceable in these car parks.

Meh. YABU.

needacosmo's embarrassingly ridiculous post about the 'selfish' BB holder illustrates perfectly why P&C spaces should be further away from the store.

Exactly vintage it's the level if entitlement that pisses me right off.

I parked in one with my dm who is very frail and arthritic and got a dirty look from a very young mother with one tiny baby.

Bloody ridiculous.

We always just used to park in an end of row spot so room to get baby out/in etc. It really doesn't need a designated spot. Its nice if you can get one but not worth getting worked up about imo.