Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

260 replies

Pelly8 · 08/09/2019 16:40

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?

OP posts:
skunkatanka · 08/09/2019 17:11

The MN attitude to these spaces drives me mad. Supermarkets allocate these spaces and specify who they are intended for- ie parents with children under a certain age and using a car seat. If other groups think the also need designated parking then they really should be taking that up with the supermarket. Parent and child parking is designated for that purpose only.

Brahumbug · 08/09/2019 17:13

The trouble with P and C spaces is that they are in the wrong place. They should be at the far side of the car park, furthest away from the store, then they wouldn't cause any issues.Grin

Lucindainthesky · 08/09/2019 17:13

They were entitled to park there and quite frankly an elderly couple may well have needed the space more than somebody who just happens to have a child.

I always wonder - people who are so precious over parent and child spaces - what do they do if they need to park somewhere other than a supermarket that doesn't have special spaces for them? Do they not go there, or do they somehow manage to cope?

Norma27 · 08/09/2019 17:14

My mum has a blue badge now but it was so difficult to get, even though she has really struggled walking for years and falls over often.
Some elderly people definitely need those spaces more than I did when I had a newborn/toddler. You would have been extremely unreasonable to say anything to them.

lauryloo · 08/09/2019 17:14

you don't know their circumstances.

I was at asda the other day and DD's blue badge was in hubby's car rather then mine. So we parked in a parent and baby space.

Since having DD I judge people a lot less because you just don't know.

berlinbabylon · 08/09/2019 17:15

Elderly people (and they may have had a blue badge) should have priority over able-bodied parents who only want the spaces because they insist on driving huge cars.

JustTurtlesAllTheWayDown · 08/09/2019 17:15

It wouldn't bother me at all. As others have said, elderly people often have reduced mobility, blue badge or no, and that would make it easier for them.

Redglitter · 08/09/2019 17:15

YABVU they're probably in far more need to park near the shop than you are. I agree with PP put P&C spaces well away from the entrance. Theres no need for them to be at the door.

berlinbabylon · 08/09/2019 17:16

I always wonder - people who are so precious over parent and child spaces - what do they do if they need to park somewhere other than a supermarket that doesn't have special spaces for them? Do they not go there, or do they somehow manage to cope

They take up two spaces. Happens all the time. Not blatantly but they go over the line so unless you have a tiny car you can't get in the space.

allthepeoplethatcomearound · 08/09/2019 17:16

You should know that on Mumsnet, the general consensus is that anyone should be able to use p&c spaces apart from actual parents and children!

Alsohuman · 08/09/2019 17:16

Wow, this didn’t go the way you expected, OP. I agree with all the pp. I used them all the time with my elderly mum who was unsteady on her pins. Nobody ever said a word.

woodhill · 08/09/2019 17:18

Let them park there poor things

Orangecake123 · 08/09/2019 17:18

YABU OP.

JacquesHammer · 08/09/2019 17:20

YABU OP.

It is increasingly difficult for people to access blue badges, which means they can’t park in disabled parking, however much they need it

Don’t begrudge someone whose need may well be greater than yours. I don’t believe everywhere you go has P&C spaces, therefore you must be able to manage without. They’re a luxury for parents, rarely a necessity.

sue51 · 08/09/2019 17:20

I used them with my Dad. He needed 2 sticks to walk and had to open the car door wide to manoeuvre himself out. He was turned down for a blue badge.

Thistledew · 08/09/2019 17:21

I used a P&C parking spot on occasion when I took my dad shopping whilst he was still mobile, if there were no other suitable spaces near to the supermarket doors. He needed to be able to open the door fully to get in and out and walked very slowly so I had concerns about him walking about in the car park.

I got a few 'looks' on occasion, but gave it no regard. After all, the 'parent and child' stipulation did not have any age restriction on it, and we had a legitimate need for an extra wide space.

timshelthechoice · 08/09/2019 17:21

Gawd, I wish they'd get rid of those fucking P&C spaces or put them at the back. It's a luxury. YABU.

Sparklesocks · 08/09/2019 17:21

allthepeoplethatcomearound I haven’t encountered that here, personally

MrsMaiselsMuff · 08/09/2019 17:24

I like the idea of changing them to Priority spaces. Not all people with children need them, and equally not everyone without a BB does not have mobility problems.

Anybody that needs to use a priority space should use them. And not all reasons for use will be visible.

Jinglejanglefish · 08/09/2019 17:25

It really is such a non issue. I also have a little octopus and can manage perfectly fine in a normal space.

ellzebellze · 08/09/2019 17:26

You can be old, doddery and frail and not qualify for a blue badge. Let it go.

RedRosie · 08/09/2019 17:26

Like @Norma27 above, I have very elderly parents who don't have a BB. One is increasingly unsteady and unlike you I presume (apologies if I'm wrong) really struggles getting in and out of the car or walking any distance. Sometimes they really are in need, and it's sad that young fit people would begrudge them this. They probably could get a BB actually, but don't feel entitled to one as they are not disabled, just old.

tillytrotter1 · 08/09/2019 17:27

as an OAP spends less than a family

Per head I spend more than most families.
I'm lucky enough at 71 not to need a blue badge nor to park particularly close to the door but I understand that some do.

The old people, men usually, I detest are those who park in the loading area, he sits there while she goes in to do the shopping. Lazy gits.
When we have a grandchild with us we sometimes park in the parent/child bays although even the youngest objects, I'm not a toddler grandma

Aridane · 08/09/2019 17:27

I sort of agree with posters - but then why have the spaces at all following that logic?

Also - all this about they're a courtesy not a right etc, anyone can use them, surely if the supermarket stipulates they're only for parents with children under x years, can supermarkets enforce like any other parking restriction (like parking for a max of 4 hours etc)?

JacquesHammer · 08/09/2019 17:28

I like the idea of changing them to Priority spaces. Not all people with children need them, and equally not everyone without a BB does not have mobility problems

I like this idea too.