AIBU to park in a parent and child space?

[x1982x]

I have just read a story that tesco is going to start charging people who use parent and child/disabled spaces when they shouldn't.

I agree that these spaces should be kept for those who need them but once a week I am guilty of parking in a parent and child space (there are always a lot of them free) with my 82 year old relative.

The two reasons I do this are - Once when in a normal space due to there not being enough room my relative suffered a bad cut on her shin from banging it whilst trying to close the door.

The second being these spaces are always near to the door and less walking distance in an area that is dangerous for people with poor sight/hearing.

AIBU to do this?

The people on here who think parents don't need extra space have probably never tried to get young children in / out of car seats without bashing the car beside you. Once children can get themselves in / out the car they no longer need those spaces.

Supermarkets generally see two categories of people who need extra space disabled and young children. If you don't fit in one or other category why should you use one of those spaces?

I have to admit that I didn't think it was that hard to get a blue badge. I'm guessing that rules have been tightened up because the scheme has been openly abused for years by people using badges when the disabled person isn't with them.

If your relative has mobility and other issues even if they are age related she may qualify for a blue badge and attendance allowance. It's certainly worth applying

Parents don't need extra space. Extra space makes manoeuvring around a car seat easier but it isn't essential.

I usually get very about people using p&c bays, but only when that person clearly does not need them, i.e. A builder on their dinner who can't be arsed not parking right outside the shop.

To me someone who is elderly/has limited mobility/is heavily pregnant needs them a hell of a lot more than me and toddler DS do.

If you do apply for a blue badge for your mother, it might be worth asking your local Age UK for advice in filling in the form. I have read a lot about this and it would seem that it's very much a tick-box exercise, so if you don't tick a particular box because you think it should be obvious, you will be turned down. Whereas Age UK will know.

I wish I had thought to apply for my mother, who had dementia. She could walk, but was over 90 and frail, and I could not possibly drop her anywhere while I parked, since she'd forget anything I said almost instantly and panic. Even a big sheet of paper saying BACK IN 5 MINUTES! made not the slightest difference.

I admit I've only skimmed the thread, but want to reiterate that blue badges are not doled out wily nily to the elderly. My mother is 91, still fit - walks 20 minutes to get her paper each morning in the spirit of "if you don't use it you lose it" - but finds pushing a heavy trolly difficult especially if a car park is uneven. At National Trust properties often the disabled spaces are close to the house, but the main car park is quite far away, at a recent one it involved a steep hill which is very hard for her now.

Tbh (now my children are teenagers/young adults) I reckon there should be elderly parking spaces close to the supermarkets, though how that would be policed I have no idea.

Just to the person who said carful of able bodied teens up thread. (On phone hard to scroll back). There are a multitude of disabilities a teen can have that still leave them able bodied. That's a horrible attitude

I think that tesco are nuts to be embroiling themselves in this to be honest.

So frustrating when parking in a normal space and leaving enough space to get baby car seat out but in return, some nobber has parked so close that the door won't open wide enough to get it back in. Then left having to dump the baby on the ground and reverse the car out a bit. Very dangerous and exactly the reason why extra space IS needed.

Why do you have to take the car seat out? Why can't you just lift the baby out if the car without the car seat - they aren't a turtle, the shell isn't attached.

Usual twats comparing BB spaces to the parent and child ones I see.

Err to use the trolleys that the supermarkets provide for car seats to sit on?!!!

They also provide trolleys with small seats for the babies and bigger seats for them once they can sit up. Why can't you use them?

This was only about 5 years ago. I am really shocked. And worried that it might be taken back now. I haven't heard anything about her being 'retested' or anything. I'd better check with dad.. They are valid for 3 years as a MAXIMUM so I would check asap

Molecule- NT properties are really accommodating ime,just ask about parking closer to the house.

Actually, giving out fines won't stop the most annoying p&c offenders (imo) - the ones who do indeed have children with them but stay in the car with them and send the passenger in to get the shopping! Why on earth do they need to open their doors wider?

In Australia we have "Senior parking" and that's for over 65's. It's very sensible.

Seriously Auser?? No doubt you'll be one of those suggesting not taking baby at all. Why can't we use the facilities provided by the shop in the way it's intended?

and it would seem that it's very much a tick-box exercise,. You have to be assessed. If you apply for PIP you have a horrendous assessment and if you are 'lucky' enough to qualify for the enhanced rate of mobility then that qualifies you for the BB. If you apply through our council they send you to the occupational therapist for assessment. My dad was rejected on both because he got from the car to the assessment room without 'looking' in pain.

You don't need to take the car seat out of the car.

Why make life more difficult for yourself and not use the facilities - aka age appropriate trolleys - supplied by the supermarket?

Or does using the facilities only apply to the Ones that suit you and you can froth over?

It took me seven years until I realised I could fasten a car seat though an open window instead of opening the door.

I don't think you are being unreasonable. IMO it's great if I can get in a p&c space, if not I'll look for a end/corner space that the side ds is on. I've never had to drive away because I couldn't get parked, and I've got a doona which is a buggy/car seat in one, the whole thing has to comes out. Maybe I'm just crazy lucky buys lotto ticket

I like the poster above saying about senior spaces, I didn't realise how difficult bb badges are to get, utterly ridiculous! If you need one, you should have one

I'm not frothing - doesn't bother me if there are no p&c spaces but was explaining why extra space is sometimes needed. Also when my baby is cosy and asleep in the car seat I'll not be getting him out, putting his coat on for the outside weather putting him in a trolley seat then reversing the whole process for half hour shopping trip when clearly there is a much simpler solution which the supermarkets have also thought of!

I'm not frothing - doesn't bother me if there are no p&c spaces but was explaining why extra space is sometimes needed. Also when my baby is cosy and asleep in the car seat I'll not be getting him out, putting his coat on for the outside weather putting him in a trolley seat then reversing the whole process for half hour shopping trip when clearly there is a much simpler solution which the supermarkets have also thought of!