Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think that mother & baby spaces are for people with babies & small children?!

354 replies

cranberryx · 08/07/2015 19:12

Parked up at asda before work and low and behold what do I see?

3 vans, an elderly gentleman and a young couple all park up and get out of their vehicles and stroll into asda. Not one car seat, not one small child in sight!

I know it wasn't a busy time (8am) but still, I would be so peed off if I parked up with my little one and couldn't find a space with space to get a car seat out of etc!

Next time I might have a word! Or am I just being a grump!

OP posts:
GinaLinetti · 08/07/2015 19:13

You'll look like a raving loony. Just tut inwardly and get on with your day.

Pastaeater · 08/07/2015 19:13

YANBU!! Next time leave an extremely rude note on their windscreens!

maplepecanpie · 08/07/2015 19:14

I can see where this thread is going already.

ditavonteesed · 08/07/2015 19:14

I think at 8am people are rushing to get to work so I would definatly forgive that.

downgraded · 08/07/2015 19:14

It didn't affect you, so I don't understand why it would annoy you.

If you came and had a go at me about this in a car park I'd think you were a lunatic and give you a wide berth.

Teeste · 08/07/2015 19:15

Nah, YANBU. I was waiting and waiting to finally be able to 'legally' use the parent & baby spaces all through my pregnancy. Then, even at the maternity unit, you get elderly people and general randoms using them. Went to Tesco at the weekend, all the p&b spaces taken, some by cars with no child seats, and I have to shuffle in from ages away 3 weeks after a section.

Some people are just arseholes.

LovelyFriend · 08/07/2015 19:15

Welcome to MN OPGrin

Appleblossom82 · 08/07/2015 19:16

Yanbu. That is what they are provided for. Its rude for people to disrespect that but not much anyone can do.

Sighing · 08/07/2015 19:17

If you're going to look like a loon: rush up, full of concern and say "oh my god you forgot the baby!". Then just walk away saying "you're welcome".

TantrumsAndBalloons · 08/07/2015 19:18

Why do people get so het up about things that don't actually affect them?

I can see how the complaint would go
I'd like to complain that people are parking in p&c spaces with no child.
No, I was actually able to park in one myself with my child
No, it did not affect me in the slightest

NinkyNonkers · 08/07/2015 19:19

At that time I would park at the outside edge of car park as I suspect there were lots of other spaces with room around them.

cranberryx · 08/07/2015 19:23

I just couldn't understand when there were loads of spaces, about the same distance away.

It didn't affect me then but it has affected me in the past when DD was smaller during more busier times.

Sighing - I bloody love that comment, might try that next time when DC2 arrives and I can't get a parking space close by!

OP posts:
TidyDancer · 08/07/2015 19:24

Every time this thread comes up I groan, but I secretly enjoy all the responses from the entitled few. Grin

But while I'm here, to sum it up:

  • P&C spaces are not a legal right, they are a marketing ploy
  • no, this is not comparible to parking in disabled spaces without blue badges
  • children do not melt in the rain
downgraded · 08/07/2015 19:26

Lovely Tidy, I think that about covers it.

We can all move on now Smile

RachelRagged · 08/07/2015 19:28

God , ,another pointless thing to get het up over.

Once upon a time there were NO parent and child parking bays , just pot luck

ginghamcricketbox · 08/07/2015 19:28

It annoys me when parents with children park in spaces that are designated for normal drivers. This shouldn't be allowed. They have their own parent and child spaces. If they are full, its tough luck, they should have to sit and wait for a space to become available instead of taking up a space for people that don't have children with them. They are so selfish and thoughtless! Its all 'me, me, me!' Grin

TheMshipIsBack · 08/07/2015 19:33

I wouldn't care if the spots were the farthest away from the shops, what they're really good for is the extra space to get the door open wide enough to handle an infant car seat or a squirming toddler. If the kid's big enough to get in and out of the car on their own, you don't need one.

Baguettes · 08/07/2015 19:35

Yawn.

enderwoman · 08/07/2015 19:39

I think that there are occasions when it's fine to use a P&C space without a child so maybe they should be called Priority Spaces like they are on buses and trains.

They would be for occasions like no disabled spaces left, person being temporarily ill eg on crutches, parent with baby.

GreyBird84 · 08/07/2015 19:39

YANBU - totally fucks me of.

Like another poster said, it's more about the room to the side for car seat access, pram etc instead of leaving pram at back of car for someone to hit it, swerve by it etc.

I seen a disabled badge holder in a M&P space, wonder what's the law on that?

And no there were no car seats or anything in the car.

takemetomars · 08/07/2015 19:39

yep, what Tidy said. They didn't exist when my children were small. We all survived

hazeyjane · 08/07/2015 19:40

I wish they would just have some 'wider space' spaces, (as well as disabled spaces, rather than instead of). They would just be there for anyone who felt in need of a wider space, and they would be at the far end of the car park.

The parent and child spaces are a nice perk, but is it really the end of the world if someone parks in them without a child?

CainInThePunting · 08/07/2015 19:43

YABU
They are also for those of us who have to drive past schools on the way to work and want to stick two fingers up at:

  • the idiotic parents slamming their brakes on at the last minute to grab a space nearest the school
  • the idiotic parents who park on zig zags, double yellows and zebra crossings
  • the idiotic parents who block junctions by parking on the corner
  • the idiotic parents who pull out in front of you without checking it's safe to do so
  • the idiotic parents who think the Highway Code doesn't apply at the school gates
all because little Chardonnay and Rylan don't want to wear out their precious little legs by walking 10 yards. Grin
hazeyjane · 08/07/2015 19:44

I seen a disabled badge holder in a M&P space, wonder what's the law on that?

Well morally it should of course be totally fine for a disabled person to use a parent and child space, but actually supermarkets have issued fines in the past (although these are un-enforceable), and other disgruntled shoppers have left arsey notes on people's windscreen - which is absolutely shameful.

Baguettes · 08/07/2015 19:44

greybird

'I seen a disabled badge holder in an M&P space, wonder what the law is on that'

Are you fucking kidding? LAW?

Hmm