AIBU to get annoyed about people parking in parent/baby spaces

[Mummyto2munchkins]

So went shopping today. A woman parked her car in a parent and baby space but left both kids and her mum in the car with the car running..
I shook my head as it annoyed me.

She stopped the car and opened the back door showing her kids saying "if you wanna get lairy my kids are in the car"

We explained that the parking spaces are for parents with kids in the car to get the kids out.. She then said that both kids were in the car. We said also with your mum in the car too.

She then said "he didn't want to go in, what do you want me to do drag them out" we responded with "no just park in a Normal space"

AIBU to think she's out of order, and the spaces are for kids getting out of the car as you're needing extra space to get them in/out? Or am I completely missing something here?

I've no idea if they had blue badges they were old with no children I only saw them drive into the only p&c space in front of me when there were available disabled spaces. I don't care if they have badges you're missing the point that all spaces had equally good access for anybody

Yes if you read my post I've no idea if they were disabled or had badges and have no problem with them using the (five available) disabled spaces which were empty, next to the only p&c space

You aren't allowed to use disabled bays without blue badges

You cannot use disabled spaces without a blue badge though, so if you are disabled without a blue badge the p&c spaces are the best spaces for those needing extra room or to be as close as possible to a store.

ILoveMaxiBondi

Well it is 🤷‍♀️ Why is such a simple comment so unbelievable to you?

You're missing the point. If they don't have a blue badge they can't use a disabled space. They might not qualify for a blue badge but might not be able to walk from the spaces further away.

My point is that all of the disabled spaces next to the p&c space were free

And my point is that you can’t park in a disabled space without a blue badge. I don’t understand why you aren’t getting that. It isn’t hard.

stop carrying your little squishy babies around in hard plastic car seats - get a decent pram that lies flat!

Having them near the doors is about child safety - rather than having to manoeuvre one or two toddlers through a large car park and the hazards that ensue.

This is bollocks actually, very often they are right by the front of the store and it's the busiest part of the car park in many set ups. In my local Sainsbury's every car entering the car park drives past that section. If you go to the far side there are fewer cars generally, as people only go as far in as they need to.

This has always really annoyed me too OP.

These spaces are there to make life that little bit easier for parents to park without worrying about other piss takers who cannot park properly in a space. The argument against it ‘we managed in my day’ is ridiculous, back in those days cars were generally smaller and far bloody less of them on the road so of course it was easier!!

It would be interesting to see if these parent and child spaces would be so ‘valuable’ if they were at the back of the car park.
Please do not give me any nonsense about safely manouvering children across a car park. Think of it as teaching the little darlings some common sense and life skills

@PurpleDaisies who parked in a disabled space without a blue badge your post doesn't make sense? I parked in a normal space, the old people parked in the parent and child space that I wanted to park in and no one was parked in the disabled spaces.

@ghostyslovesheets
It's pretty hard to do your weekly shop with a lie flat pram unless you've got 4 arms and a massive car that can fit everything in.

I parked in a normal space, the old people parked in the parent and child space that I wanted to park in and no one was parked in the disabled spaces.

You yourself said they should have parked in the disabled spaces instead of the p and c spaces.

I parked in a normal space today. Two massive 4x4 parked either side. Just about managed to clip wriggling child into car seat via the opposite side door. That's why I like a p&c space.

Then you have to get the pram out of the car... doesn’t quite solve the problem.

I've parked in them now and then without children. Once when I was dizzy and needed to stop now. Other times when my back has been bad and I need to get the door open all the way. I have a dodgy disc.

I do remember someone sending their child over, all pas-agg to tell me I had left my child in the shop. I said "Oh yes, it's the children return depot. We send the kids back when we're done with them".

Then you have to get the pram out of the car... doesn’t quite solve the problem.

It’s usyally pretty easy to get stuff out of the boot though.

I completely agree OP, people like that are just selfish twats. You are brave starting a thread about it on here though 😂😉

Yes I am that person that gets annoyed when there is a disabled space available next to a parent and child space and they take the parent and child space hmm. I've already said I know they can take any space available but when there's one p&c space and lots of disabled spaces free next to it it's common sense surely
And how do you know that the disabled space was free when they parked?

Tell you what, why don't you take my disability along with chronic pain and then tell me that P&C spaces should be sacrosanct ?

These spaces shouldn't exist. Having a baby does not make you incapable of walking a few extra steps to the shop entrance. It does your children no damage to walk either.

Wallsbangers that's why they invented online shopping

and also baby friendly trolley seats they can lie almost flat in

I don’t need a P&C space but it makes it a heck of a lot easier to park my necessarily large car after I unexpectedly had twins and needed a car with 3 isofox points. It also makes it a lot easier to open doors on each side to remove my non-mobile twins and reach across to un-belt my son with ASD.

If a special space isn’t available then I will generally park at the back of the carpark where I’ll have space but tackling the pavement with the previously mentioned non-mobile twins and son with ASD is a challenge.

There are, of course, people with things tougher than me and I’d never begrudge them the space but tbh if you park in them for the sale of it, like most MNers seem to then you’re a bit of a dick. What’s so wrong with making things easier for someone who’s struggling?

oh and baby slings

Yes Gertrude, the disability and chronic pain that requires us to have the car door fully open in order to get in and out yet does not qualify us for a blue badge. The disability and the chronic pain that we did not choose.