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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To have a word? (Parent and child parking).

325 replies

OptimisticIntrovert · 21/12/2018 13:15

I've just pulled into a parent and child space (with my baby who is sleeping so waiting for him to wake up before i go into the supermarket).

A woman pulled into the space next to me- no kids in the car- and went in to the shop. She's not back yet.

AIBU to accost her when she comes back and tell her that it's not fair?

Most answers wins!

OP posts:
feelliketomhanks · 21/12/2018 13:27

How do you know she doesn't have a hidden disability?

PositivelyPERF · 21/12/2018 13:27

You’d probably have a word with me too, OP. I park there because my youngest, who looks perfectly healthy, has a lust of health problems and autism. I’m fighting for blue badge, but will continue to park there until I get one. My need to keep her safe and stop her from becoming exhausted too quickly is as important as you needing a bit of extra space.

Lichtie · 21/12/2018 13:29

OP stop wasting time replying... Think of the queue for those precious spots. 😂

Avrannakern · 21/12/2018 13:30

Don't get me wrong OP, I absolutely do tell people off. It's entitled behaviour to use a space they do not need and prevents those with young children (or disabilities) from using spaces designed to keep them safer. So I do tell them off. But I also don't park in one and just sit there while my kid naps. It's busy this time of year as well, so you're just taking up space.

TokyoSushi · 21/12/2018 13:30

Its irritating but just leave it.

cadburyegg · 21/12/2018 13:30

I wouldn’t bother. They aren’t enforceable. A friend of mine has a bad knee and hip so needs extra space to get out of the car, but she doesn’t qualify for a blue badge. So unless she uses a p&c space she cannot go to a supermarket.

They are a nice to have, but i have a 3 year old and a baby, and most of the time I can manage in a “normal” space.

WoodyOak · 21/12/2018 13:31

You are not alone! I pointed out to a woman who was getting into her car (her husband had actually been sitting in the car waiting for her to come back!) that they were parked in a parent and child space and she said she knew and laughed in my face. Some people are incredibly selfish.

GertrudeCB · 21/12/2018 13:32

So you have a child op - well done . For all you know she is picking up her party and children/ is disabled ( we don't all use wheelchairs) .

Ethel80 · 21/12/2018 13:32

As others have said, it's really not worth the hassle and you aren't really using the space as it's intended either. If you're just waiting for your child to wake up you could park anywhere.

I use them occasionally. I have some health issues which sometimes mean I can walk too far and I don't qualify for a blue badge. I don't if they're really busy and it's usually in the evening when there's less demand but I figure if I can't park in a regular space close to the store then it's much better than using a disabled space.

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 21/12/2018 13:34

This time of year, if all other spaces in Tesco are full, I might consider using a P&C space.
Never a disabled one though!

WhoTookTheChristmasCookie · 21/12/2018 13:35

FWIW as well, I use the parent and baby spaces with my toddler otherwise I can't shop.
I have terrible back/bone issues which make getting her out of her car seat near enough impossible - even with the extra room.
If I park in a normal space I've no chance.

I can't even park in a space furthest away from the shop nowadays Sad but not entitled to a blue badge so I have to get on with it.

So, I totally understand your frustration at an apparently able-bodied, childless woman taking the piss; people like her mean that I may not be able to do the shopping.
But nothing can be done, they're not enforceable.

SilverApples · 21/12/2018 13:35

I’d put the p&c spaces at the far end of-the car park, that would reduce the number of people misusing the spaces.

InvisibleAye · 21/12/2018 13:37

Tough really 🤷🏼‍♀️ Parent and Child spaces are a courtesy not anything you’re entitled to by law so you haven’t got a leg to stand on.

ILoveMaxiBondi · 21/12/2018 13:38

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Avrannakern · 21/12/2018 13:39

@SilverApples

The point of the spaces is more room and also close to the door or close to a path heading to the door so you're not dragging kids across the car park. Drivers don't pay attention when they are looking for a space so it's to minimise the time they spend walking in the actual car park.

A woman ran a kid down in the supermarket near me as she'd been looking for a space. She though she's hit a trolley so kept going. The child might have survived the first bump but did not survive her driving over him. She paid no attention to the people screaming.

Parent and child spaces should not require the children to walk over the car park if at all possible.

ellesbellesxxx · 21/12/2018 13:39

I once got smirked at by a guy who literally nipped into a space that I was clearly waiting by as I started reversing.
He had no children with him.
It’s frustrating I get it.. however not worth the aggro.
Now what annoyed me this week, was the last double trolley being used by one child.. and their toy. I have 18month old twins.
Argh!

RockingAroundTheChristmasTree1 · 21/12/2018 13:40

Don't jump to conclusions!! I'm a disabled mum, nine times out of ten the three disabled spots on offer for the disabled community are always taken. I will park in a parent and child spot even if my children aren't with me, because they are always much closer to the shop for me. If anybody said anything to me, I would lose my s*!

ShatnersWig · 21/12/2018 13:40

OP I'm astonished you didn't know how this was going to go. You're not new to MN and this cropped up regularly for years. Threads generally go the same way. As in the same way yours is.

themoomoo · 21/12/2018 13:40

never understood why people with babies need an extra large space.
Don't you just open the car door, undo the straps of the car seat and lift the baby out?

Littleraindrop15 · 21/12/2018 13:41

I'm currently pregnant and find it difficult to walk long distances so I use the child and parent spaces as you need a disabled badge for disabled parking. The parent child parking are not enforceable and are a courtesy.

PositivelyPERF · 21/12/2018 13:43

apparently able-bodied, childless woman taking the piss but that’s the point. The soap doesn’t know if she is able bodied and ‘childless’!

feelliketomhanks · 21/12/2018 13:44

I'm disabled, but not disabled enough for a blue badge.

in my tesco the parent and child spaces are as close to the door as the disabled spaces, and I need to open my door fully to get out - which I can't do in an ordinary space.

At this time of year the car parks are busy so parking further away doesn't work - and I can't walk long distances.

If I'm having a bad day, I park in a parent and child space if there are any available. And zero fuchs are given.

Sparklingbrook · 21/12/2018 13:44

Sounds like neither of you should be in those spaces.

But you have no idea why she's parked there so unless you want a possible Christmas punch up I would mind your own business.

There's no P&C parking where I live, and everyone manages just fine believe it or not.

werideatdawn · 21/12/2018 13:44

Oooh you're a parent you should have said. Do you also WORK?

PositivelyPERF · 21/12/2018 13:45

ShatnersWig Maybe OP unlike me has finished her Christmas shopping and is bored. 😁

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