To think elderly couple should not have parked in parent and child space?

[Pelly8]

Local supermarket has loads of disabled bays (which are 90% empty whenever i’ve been) but only 5 parent and child bays. Elderly couple (probs in 70s) parked their car in a parent and child bay just as I was packing away my shopping.

I almost pointed out that there was plenty of other places for them to park (including plenty of other non disabled bays close to the entrance) but bit my tongue.

AIBU to think they should have parked elsewhere?

Hmm, I think I would let it go tbh. Some older people are quite wobbly even if not technically disabled and benefit from having the space to have the door fully open while they manoeuvre themselves out etc.

Were all the bays full?

Probably they should’ve, yes. But it might be that one (or both) of them are not super mobile and can only walk short distances. It was probably best not to raise it.

Honestly, parent and child parking is a nice wee luxury. I couldn’t find it in me to be annoyed with an older couple using them to be nearer the shop. Maybe their mobility is not poor enough for a blue badge but it made life easier for them being closer.

putting it nicely, you need to get on with your life and resist from policing things you know nothing about.

All the parent and child bays, yes (although I was just about to leave) the reason I got frustrated is because the parent and child spaces are almost always full and it’s quite tricky having to wrestle a little octopus in and out of the car in the normal bays!

There is every chance that the process of going shopping is much harder for said elderly couple than for most families.

Being old doesn’t mean you get a blue badge, even if much needed. Without one they can’t park in a disabled space.

They possibly needed the extra space more than a lot of parents who might want to use it. It's fine.

Not all elderly people are able to get a blue badge, but still need the extra space to open the door fully. Parking in a disabled space without a blue badge would leave them liable to a fine. YABU for wanting to complain to them.

I think many older people need those spaces more than parents with children and it is very, very hard to get a Blue badge. I would never begrudge an obviously elderly couple easier parking.

Before my dad died of cancer he couldn't walk far and my DM aways parked as close to places as she could so he could get where he needed to go. I would have been furious if someone had had a go at her for doing this

I have three children: nearly four year old twins and an 8 month old. Yes, sometimes it can be tricky getting in and out of the car with them and their accompanying paraphernalia. But I’ve always managed it, parent and child space or not, and then I get to walk off, feeling confident that my healthy legs will carry me as far as I need to go. I imagine that, for an elderly couple, they might need extra space to lower themselves into the car, or need to be closer to the shop. I don’t see any harm in them using one of those spaces if it makes their life easier.

I saw a single older man using a P&C space once. I nearly got annoyed, and then saw how unsteady he was on his feet. Parents don’t have a monopoly on needing a bit of extra space and consideration.

I think they have more right to park in there TBH.

Good to see people defending the couple. The ageism on MN is awful sometimes.

I can’t get het up about an elderly couple parking in them. Does by box in when the single man in his 20s parks in them, or the lady in the big Range Rover with no kids with her. But an elderly person? Nah.

It takes quite a lot to get a blue badge. My son is disabled and gets DLA but is not disabled enough for a blue badge.

Leave the old people alone.

Seriously you are annoyed about that!!! Have some compassion. Being elderly doesn't mean you are entitled to a bb but people can be coping with a whole host of difficulties, have a heart. You had a space!!

I would let this go and hope people are similarly kind when you are elderly. Before my mum met the criteria for a blue badge it was often tricky to park near enough to the local supermarket entrance for her to manage because of the layout of designated disabled and parent and child bays. She could walk slowly but was prone to frequent falls witjout any warning - on bad days I did park in parent and child bays and let customer services know. Dropping her at the entrance to wait while I parked further away was not an option because of the risk of her falling and later of wandering. She would have been mortified if someone had had a go at us about this.

YABU, thank God you ‘bit your tongue’, now give your head a wobble.

I used them last year when I broke my leg and couldn't walk steady on my crutches. My husband used to park there and then get a wheelchair from the supermarket for me to use.

I strongly believe elderly people need the bay at least as much, if not more than a parent with a child. You shouldn’t have said anything.

In my opinion the needs of the elderly trump you and your ‘little octopus’. Just be grateful you are able to walk without difficulty. When taking my very elderly dad shopping I regularly parked in P&C spaces if all the blue badge spaces were full. He couldn’t walk very far, most parents and their children can.

Lots of elderly people really struggle with mobility. You’re incredibly mean spirited to get worked up about this.

In Portugal in a shopping center I go to the p&c parking has an icon for pregnant women and elderly people and that’s the way I’d view them. Someone who might need the space. They should be like priority seats. And I can always hope karma catches up with anyone who abuses them so I don’t need to. Only the person using it truly knows if they need it.

Maybe they simply didn't realise? Or maybe they have mobility issues. In any case I think you probably need to let it go, imagine someone bawling your grandparents out over something like this?

Get a grip.

If anything, they probably need the space more. You can be old enough to have a hard time getting in and out of the car, yet not be disabled.