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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to park in a parent and child space?

271 replies

x1982x · 08/10/2016 22:57

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?

OP posts:
MrsDeVere · 09/10/2016 11:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

atomicpanda · 09/10/2016 11:11

How many p&c spaces would you suggest alongside the 2 or 3 spaces available for elderly shoppers?

'I saw a grandmother nimbly rush out and rush in .' Well done to that lady, however a person can have hidden difficulties such as incontinence or a stoma bag that needs changing.

Laiste · 09/10/2016 11:19

MrsD - I am struggling to see how P&C parking spaces benefit ALL.

You quoted me but i didn't say P&C were a benefit for all. I was saying (in retaliation to all the 'i got by without it in my time' style posts) that times change and facilities should imporove for the benefit of all. I realise P&C spaces don't benefit BB all.

RufusTheSpartacusReindeer · 09/10/2016 11:25

Completely agree with mrsdevere

SaggyNaggy · 09/10/2016 11:28

No one drives to Lego Land and sits mutely in the car park wondering how they are going to get their baby, toddler and 6 year old out of their car.

Ridiculous, borderline laughable post.
So what of legolkand don't have them? Its totally irrelevant.
The thread is about places that do have them and about people using them when they have no children.

What next? Are You going to point out the some toilets don't have disabled facilities so you shouldn't moan if some one is using the one at ASDA?

If a facility is installed to aid certain groups, then only certain groups should use that facility. Not rocket science.

GipsyDanger · 09/10/2016 11:29

It is law that we need to use these big bastarding car seat, hence we need extra space. Ffs you didn't even belt in the kids "back in the day" Grin

MrsDeVere · 09/10/2016 11:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Moonpuddle · 09/10/2016 11:31

I'm glad you spoke to the manager. Now you won't have to agnst a all. B

Andrewofgg · 09/10/2016 11:32

As for supermarkets fining anyone - they can send an invoice. Write back saying you will defend any claim because the alleged contract is unreasonable and you are highly unlikely to hear further.

If they sue defend it and it will be transferred to your local court. It will take forever and a day and if you lose which is unlikely they can only add a small court fee to the debt - not legal costs.

Which of course is why they won't sue!

But remember to check your credit ratings a few weeks later. If they have tried to damage it fight it - they will back off.

The truth is that these so-called fines are bluff - unfortunately that applies to those issued for parking on disabled spots (in private car parks) without a blue badge too, but such is life.

Ausernotanumber · 09/10/2016 11:32

Agree with mrsDv 100%. My disabled child will never ever get a bb. Why shouldn't I use a p&c space since it makes my life easier?

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 09/10/2016 11:32

Completely agree Mrs D

MrsDeVere · 09/10/2016 11:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ausernotanumber · 09/10/2016 11:36

Gypsy. I did belt in the kids back in my day. My eldest is 28.

Ausernotanumber · 09/10/2016 11:37

Again. With mrsDV 100%.

Lack of disabled toilet facilities would have kept my mother in the house 100% of the time. Bowel cancer, you see, has a nasty habit of meaning she shit herself.

P&C spaces aren't the same at all.

CharlieSierra · 09/10/2016 11:40

MrsD is spot on.

Oysterbabe · 09/10/2016 11:42

Why don't you let her out near the door then go and park?

exLtEveDallas · 09/10/2016 11:42

Weatherwax I feel really sad to think of you driving off with him and your little baby because a woman whose mother (in her words) is a "stubborn mare"

I'm sorry? Are you serious talking about my elderly, diabetic, deaf, asthmatic and partially sighted mother as being less in need of assistance than a child with ASD? Simply because she also happens to be a stubborn mare?

Give your fucking head a shake love.

I would say her needs were equal to that posters, not less.

I wholeheartedly agree with 'senior spaces' or brown badges. I also think that the process for getting blue badges should be a damn sight easier - having only experienced my mothers receipt of one I had no idea how much harder it was now. That's a disgraceful change.

Bumplovin · 09/10/2016 11:43

Im 7 months pregnant and nearly parked in one the other day as the only space was miles away and I had public pain, but I got scared of getting told off so hobbled from the other side of car park instead. I don't think u are being unreasonable

Bumplovin · 09/10/2016 11:43

Pubic not public!

SaggyNaggy · 09/10/2016 11:43

I'm not sure if you're being obtuse on purpose or whether I wasn't exactly clear.

Place A installs facilities to aid a group of people. (Disabled tpoilets, disabled bays, p&c spaces, fucking bike racks for cyclists)
Place B has none of those things.

Someone at place A uses said facilities when they have little to no need, or significantly less need that. Those the facilities are designed for.
"Well place B doesn't have them at all so stop moaning."
Its irrelevant what place B has or doesn't, what's relevant is place As facilities are not being used as intended by the people they're intended for.

PoppyPicklesPenguin · 09/10/2016 11:45

I don't think they should be called Parent & Child spaces.

No idea what you would call them but a heavily pregnant woman, someone on crutches or an elder person who has difficulties getting in and out certainly needs that space more than me and two 8 year olds.

Of course when you have a buggy then those spaces are going to be extremely helpful but they are not essential. If the space isn't available you park further away, it's quite simple really.

honkinghaddock · 09/10/2016 11:48

I have no problem with parents using wider spaces because they make life easier. What I object to is people having a go at others who need a wider space and making out that is so much more difficult parents of young children. Which do they think is easier? Managing a 2 year old or an adult with the safety awareness and impulse control of a 2 year old?

MrsDeVere · 09/10/2016 11:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

honkinghaddock · 09/10/2016 11:52

Businesses have a duty to provide reasonable adjustments to disabled people. I am not aware of any such duty to parents.

TheFairyCaravan · 09/10/2016 11:52

This thread is one of the best P&C parking threads there's been for ages.

Having a child is nothing like having a disability. There has to be disabled facilities by law. There is no law saying there has to be any facilities for parents.