Parent and child parking spaces confusion!

[bumblebeesaremyfave]

I'm new to all of this so would appreciate some opinions. I was of the understanding the parent spaces were wider purely for the purposes of getting babies/young children into their car seats safely and having the space to have the pram/pushchair next to you rather than behind the car.
I understand that disabled drivers can use them- which I agree with but why would parents with children who aren't in a car seat need the spaces? Surely unless they have a blue badge they shouldn't be parking there?

They also tend to be near the store or at least near protected pedestrian routes or trolleys so you don't have to drag toddlers around moving cars.

My supermarket has most of its P&C spaces sort of round the corner, so you have a fairly long walk but under cover and not near other cars. Nearly never abused.

which I agree with but why would parents with children who aren't in a car seat need the spaces? Surely unless they have a blue badge they shouldn't be parking there?

Cos we feel like it and we can.

@missadasmith I'm sorry to hear of the difficulty you have in getting a blue badge. A previous poster mentioned similar difficulties she has and I can't believe they don't apply some common sense to each individual application rather than falling into a 'category'. The system sounds ridiculous. I'm ashamed to say that thought hadn't even crossed my mind before a previous poster mentioned it.

thanks you, OP. To be fair, if my DD wasn't subject to these ridiculous and at times cruel rules, I would know or even believe it either.

I only use them if I have my toddler with me as it is much easier getting them in and out of car seat with the extra space. I don't use them if I have the older ones (age 7 and over) because there isn't a need. They don't bang the doors open and they are aware of other cars. I do think anyone who uses them with a child over about 7 who has no additional needs is totally missing the point of the spaces.

I have no issues with them being used by people who need to use them regardless of child age, but anyone who uses them because they just can't be arsed to walk a few more metres is a twat imo.

PurpleDaisies - because no one with a small child will be shopping with them late at night, and if it's dark I'd rather park tight by the door. Should I park further away then, even though all those spaces are free?

Actually I agree with you OP in the main. My DCs are 12, 9 and 6; we don't use P+C parking because I feel others need them more (babies / toddlers; those pregnant; children with additional needs etc).

because no one with a small child will be shopping with them late at night

Parents with small babies might be. We used to when our PFB was a small baby, and I've seen other parents with small babies in supermarkets late at night.

Another with an autistic (amongst other things) ds not entitled to a Blue Badge. When a p and c space is free I will use one as it generally means I can get his chair closer to the car and it gives me room to collapse tje thing too!

Another parent of a child with learning difficulties. DD 9yobhas zero sense of danger, or of her self most of the time, and although I have a 5yo NT child, I use the P&C space for my 9yo to keep her safe. She has mobility problems too, but again it one of her disabilities qualifies her for a blue badge. Family days out are severely limited by her inability to walk far without pain or compromising her own safety. That doesn't matter though because her disabilities don't fit into any neat little box.

(Didn't realise I needed that rant!!)

Excuse typos... tired!

missadasmith and the PP who cannot get a blue badge - the rules have now changed and any child who if they were an adult would get PIP mobility should be eligible for a BB.

If your children do not have mobility problems - but would qualify for adult PIP under the criteria 'cognitive impairment' then the BB must accept this. (so ASD etc)
If you fill in the BB form, have a hospital consultant confirm your child's diagnosis and that it falls under the category of 'cognitive impairment', then your request for a BB should not be denied.
We were successful for my 2 dc on our first application under this category - no mobility impairment - but very much in need of the BB.
I hope that helps you both.

If I've got all three of mine I use a p&c bat even though they're not babies or toddlers because in spite of the fact that they can strap themselves into a car, they appear incapable of opening a car door without clouting the car next to us. I could do without the insurance claim quite honestly!

I haven't regularly used p&c spaces since DDs were toddlers, but if there aren't many spaces and a p&c one is available, and one of DDs is under the specified age limit in the car park, then hell yes, I'd use one.

I think it's one of those cases of just because you can doesn't mean you should. I would hate to think that I've parked in a P&C bay with my able bodied 5 year old and as a result someone with a baby is now struggling in a narrow " normal" space. I imagine that at 9pm you can do what you like since there's undoubtedly ample parking for everyone and you're unlikely to be parked cheek by jowl in any event.

If your children do not have mobility problems - but would qualify for adult PIP under the criteria 'cognitive impairment' then the BB must accept this. (so ASD etc)

Boston - do you have a link? never heard of it. thank you.

My local supermarket specifies up to 12 years old for p&c spaces. I have a 7 yr old and 5 yr old and if a space was free I would park there. There is a footpath bit down the middle leading to a zebra crossing so it feel a a little safer walking in.

Posted too soon sorry. I was going to say that I am a bit nervy in car parks having had someone hit my car because "they didn't see it". I hadn't really thought about that if I take the last space I would be depriving someone with a baby carrier. I think I might stop using them now.

What about those people who have a child with them and park in a designated space only for their partner to jump put to go shopping whilst someone sits in car with kids? That kind of annoys me.

The cognitive impairment criteria doesn't apply in England. There is currently the situation where adults with cognitive impairments are entitled to hrm but not a blue badge.

Should have said enhanced mobility.

ah, I see. Thought it might be Wales or Scottland as we were only refused recently (we are in England).

Sorry missadasmith didnt mean to misinform. We are not in England. Our guidelines were clear though that we would be eligable - took only 10 days, i sent kids LEA statements front page which clearly show their disgnosis and need, and hospital consultant wrote on the form what their 'cognitive impairment' is.
Such as shame if England does not approach it this way as it as hugely extended our kids lives (silly i know 😳)

In Scotland the government are talking about allowing councils to police the spaces the same as BB spaces.
And fine for inappropriate use.

I would have stopped using it when 5 yo could manage own seat belt. But was pregnant so back to square 1.

I also don't see the need for them to be right at the door of supermarkets. Sainsbury has them at the back of the car park but next to a pathway. Rarely are they abused

It says up to 12 at Sainsbury's so I use them with my 9 year olds