WIBU to park in a disabled space?

[FairfaxAikman]

Ordinarily I wouldn't dream of it.

Our local supermarket closes off half the car park with barriers overnight to deter boy racers. It doesn't reopen until after 8am. ALL of the parent and child spaces are in the closed off side.

DS is still small enough to be in his car seat. In the past if I've arrived before 8am I've parked in a normal space but every time I've ended up with someone next to me, making it hard to get DS back in.

There is a row of 10 disabled spaces, all empty. WIBU to park in the furthest one from the shop?

This is hilarious! There's loads of car parks out there that don't even offer parent and child spaces - do you just never go out!?

Yes getting an infant car seat out of a normal space can be a bit of a ball ache but it's not impossible and tbh the same issue happens to people without kids too (e.g trying to get stuff in or out the car when someone parks too close). It's one of those delights we just have to suck up and live with. There's not a single parent on Mumsnet who hasn't had this issue but we're all still here getting on with it! Very minor annoyance in the grand scheme of things OP!

We have 3 DC, 2 of which are in big car seats (and a retriever), so we have one of the widest jeeps on the market in order to fit the 3 kids across the middle row. I have never had an issue with getting them in and out of the car, our local supermarket car park has been the same since it was built in the 80s. I haven't actually ever encountered not being able to get my kids in and out of the car. Even if someone parks super close to one side I can always open the door on the other side and get them in that way (yes, a bit awkward, but not impossible). I see P and C spaces as a little bonus if one is empty, but a lot of the time they are all taken and I use a normal space. That isn't just in one specific supermarket, it's anywhere.

Are you physically removing the car seat from the car each time? Could you not just take out your baby and pop them in a sling or in the little seat in the trolley? What age is your baby?

Serious disability bashing on this thread. Some of the comments are nasty, horrible, and completely ignorant. If only some people could trade places for a while and experience a disability then it might shut the likes up.

^^
Indeed.

You've got my space; would you like my disability too??

100% unreasonable. Disabled spaces are for disabled people which you are not. Just because you have a young child there is nothing wrong with your legs walking a little bit more to get to the shop. Be thankful that you can. I am not disabled but would never ever park in a space reserved for disabled. No it's or buts it's just wrong.

@Flowerpot2005 there’s an irony in you calling people judgemental.

Just for your information - and to avoid embarrassing yourself in the future - around 50% of people with disablites of adult working age are in employment. This is low compared to the general population but not quite fitting with your bizarre statement; ”For the genuine percentage of blue badge holders, I'd say the vast majority won't be up & about so early due to their conditions & need for medications etc”

There are still numerous day centres in the UK for people with all sorts of disabilities ranging from dementia to learning disabilities. The buses and taxis usually collect from 8.30 am onwards.

I’ve worked extensively with people with disabilities for all my working life, both as a professional and a volunteer. I’ve worked for 2 disability rights organisations. You may have helped run a centre but you haven’t learned the basics of being non discriminatory. We teach things like that on the first day.