To use a parent and child parking space

[Marymaymay]

I'm 35 weeks pregnant and huge (size 10 everywhere else but a larger than average bump) with hips which are gradually displacing, almost constant braxton hicks and generally exhausted and a bit pathetic.

What would you think if you saw me use a parent and child's space at the supermarket?

Wouldn't mind in the slightest, as long as you extended the same courtesy to me when I have driven three times round the car park and that is the only space available, and the store, Sainsbury's, give me permission.

Everyone saying that they should be changed to 'in need' spaces is missing the point entirely. Unlike disabled spaces, p&c spaces are provided by some shops/centers to entice parents to shop there. It's their car park and they can lay it out as they wish. Shops spend a lot of money researching how to attract parents because they spend money.

Unlike disabled spaces, p&c spaces are provided by some shops/centers to entice parents to shop there

So disabled spaces aren't provided for people to shop there? They spend money also you know.

Is be a bit pissed of if it was the last space and I needed to get my 2 girls out (one 4mo one 3yo) but not really pissed off at you if that makes sense. Chances are if you were in my asda there'd be people without any sign of kids parking in them. I saw one woman Park across 2 bays with her nose sticking out into the road! I wanted to purposely Park right up to her driver door but DH told me not to bother. I do comment to people about how well behaved their invisible children are but would say anything to you. You getting in and out would be just as much hassle as me with the girls.

Disabled spaces are provided because it's the law. For a lot of places it would make commercial sense to have more p&c and less disabled, but they have to comply. It may not be moral or 'right' but we're talking about businesses and they want to make money. Parents are more likely to choose to shop somewhere if parking is easy and they want their trade. If the elderly were big spenders then they would provide special OAP parking.

Coolfor, I think you missed the point that Hotcross was making.

The blue badge spaces are a legal requirement in car parks - they're put there to help make shopping more accessible for people with disabilities.

The P & C spaces are discretionary, like Hotcross said they're an enticement for parents to shop there.

you get a badge with a severe learning disability because you have severe mental impairment plus behaviour which leads to you being at severe risk.

For example needing to be hung on to at all times or you will run into traffic.

Or various other things.

Cn google the blue badge rules if you are really that interested

Xpost Hotcross, sorry.
Your comment wasn't showing when I started typing

The P & C spaces are discretionary

Exactly therefore can't be enforced.

What would I think? I'd think you were trying to start an MN thread!

Just do it. and

There really doesn't need to be less disabled spaces. People always whinge that there's too many, but when you are disabled very often you can't get, or have a lot of difficulty finding one.

I think they should just be called 'wide load' spaces or something - for anyone who needs a little extra space getting in and out the car, whether it be for pregnancy, obesity, children, needing to unload equipment, etc.

Obviously the disabled spaces would still be separate and specifically for blue-badge holders.

The more P&C spaces that are put in, the fewer spaces there are overall, and I'm sure most people would prefer to squeeze into a normal space than park somewhere beyond the supermarket car park completely.

Fairy I think it just isn't consistent and must be to do with changes in regulation as our Sainsbury's honestly has row upon row of bb spaces the vast majority of them empty (I do shop at various times of the day/week and drive past more or less daily) But the local Tesco which is only a slightly smaller shop/car park only has about a dozen.