Parent and child parking spaces

[WeightyMama]

I’m aware I might get thrashed for this but here goes.

At what age child do you think you should stop using parent and child spaces? I went to the supermarket yesterday and there were no spaces left. I had to park quite far away with my baby so that I had somewhere with enough space to get everything sorted. On my way back to the spaces I noticed a woman getting back in the car with one child of about 12/23 years old. Child opened the back door, got in (no car seat), no issues.

AIBU to say that at that stage you should park in a normal spot and let others have the parking? I would understand if the child was heavy handed and might bash the door into a neighbouring car or something, but this child was far from that.

I thought the extra space was there for convenience so you can sort buggy / car seat (the one you remove) / trolly. After that, I really don't see much point. So baby / toddler age and then normal parking space. Mind you, it certainly doesn't stop certain child free individuals parking there in their swanky BMW convertible to take advantage of the extra space 😖 (yeah, I'm definitely jealous of their car..)

Thank you to those who replied to my question! Maybe (on the rare occasion I go shopping: I do a lot online because of the temporary mobility difficulties!) I'll use one of its free! I just hate confrontation and would probably cry if some of the more militant parking police approached me! 🤣

I wish online shopping had been an option when Ds was younger! He was shielding last year so we were lucky to get access to online shops (would have been a nightmare with him being off all year otherwise!) and now I would never go back. So much more convenient for a big shop!

Everyone wants the convenience of a child space and many will use them regardless of child’s age. That’s the reality. Unless an upper age limit is stated then it’s fair game for all, regardless of whether you think people should or shouldn’t use them.

At my local supermarket the disabled spaces (there are loads) are usually empty. The parent & child spaces are right by the main entrance, and are always full.
I wouldn't be annoyed to see a parent with a 12/13 year old using the space. They are still children. I do get annoyed when people with no children use them, or parents leaving their dc in the car whilst they just pop in, grates me. Most people are self entitled twats these days!
My 2 are 5 & 9 and to be fair they haven't been to a supermarket since March 20, I wouldn't take them unless I really had no other choice, and if I did and there was space in P&C I would use it for my own convenience! They might be monsters in the shop but they are still actual children!

Park in the foyer

🤣🤣🤣 this is so bloody true it's painful!

I think they should be maybe up to age 7/8 or whatever age a kid can get themselves in and out and belted up.

It's very frustrating when uv got little one and need extra space to get them in and out of car seats but u can't find a space. Then u see someone using them that clearly don't have kids or kids that need put in car seats.

The ones at my local shopping centre have prams drawn in the spaces. I think ur only allowed to use those ones if you've got little one with a Pram.

@Sirzy

And please don’t compare disabled spaces and P and C spaces. The need is in no way at all comparable and by trying to compare you really don’t help your argument

Yes you state that the OP should apply for a blue badge?

@ghostyslovesheets

a parent with a child - they can park there

Ummm by your reasoning my OAP mum can take me (her child) and park in one...

I think to be sensible @WeightyMama a child is one that might need some help so you might need extra door room to get in and out of child seats etc or perhaps a disability but no blue badge.

If I saw a 12/13 year old using one then I would imagine disabled/hidden disability. Although could just as easily be a lazy ass parent and teenager - who knows!

[quote user392610]@Twizbe
That's interesting! I am heavily pregnant (I'm huge and have been since about 25 weeks! I'm 31 weeks now). I struggle to get out of the car! I have awful SPD so walking long distances hurts too. I was saying to my husband that sometimes I wish I could use a P&C space.

What is the general consensus on this? Would the majority of people support a heavily pregnant woman using these spaces? [/quote]
I would definitely support a pregnant woman using those spaces. I remember the struggle to get in and out of the car very well!

No I said if the op is as disabled by her back issues as she said she is maybe she should consider it. I don’t know the severity of her issues and can only go off the agony she states she is in.

I haven't read this thread but YANBU.

I once had to ask a stranger (a nice older lady) to stand and watch my baby in his pram (car seat plus wheels) while I reversed my car out of a normal car space. It was nerve wracking and upsetting for a new mother but I had no choice unless I sat him on my lap and reversed, which I decided was worse.

All because I didn't have room to get him into the car. I'd parked in a standard spot as there were no child spaces left. I saw a number of people using the child spaces with 8, 9, 10 year olds who unclipped their own seat belts and hopped out of the car and followed their parent who was walking a few metres ahead.

What I find hardest to understand is that almost all these people will have at some point in the past have had to get a baby into a car seat in tight spaces. They know the struggle. Do they forget or just decide other parents of babies don't matter?

I wish they would call them "baby car seat spaces" or something similar.

I agree with those who say they should be far end of car park with a walkway of some sort.

You can guarantee they won't be abused then!

Plus you may then also get them putting the disabled bays closer to the entrance for people who genuinely may have difficulties with mobility, have medical equipment in the car or may be at risk in a busy car park.

But it won't happen so I'll continue to use ds BB in a P and C space at Tesco if I feel like it - because they are closer

@ShutUpaYourFace

At my local supermarket the disabled spaces (there are loads) are usually empty. The parent & child spaces are right by the main entrance, and are always full. I wouldn't be annoyed to see a parent with a 12/13 year old using the space. They are still children. I do get annoyed when people with no children use them, or parents leaving their dc in the car whilst they just pop in, grates me. Most people are self entitled twats these days! My 2 are 5 & 9 and to be fair they haven't been to a supermarket since March 20, I wouldn't take them unless I really had no other choice, and if I did and there was space in P&C I would use it for my own convenience! They might be monsters in the shop but they are still actual children!

You'll possibly find most of the people without children using them have a BB.

When you have mobility problems and the P and C spaces are nearer you use them.

YANBU. Parent & child spaces are for babies & toddlers. My DS1 is six, if I go to the supermarket just him & I we park in a normal space. People taking up those spaces with teenagers or kids who can walk without running off (so I guess 4/5 onwards) are taking the piss IMHO

P&c spaces are useful and I made use if them when mine were babies and toddlers. As soon as they could strap and unstrap themselves we stopped using them so probably 3/4.

The best i used to use were a sainsburys where they were round the side of the shop. It wasn't far to walk and you never went on the road so safe but just far enough away for lazy folk who didn't have kids to not want to use so pretty much always had spaces.

Also people who talk about blue badge spaces even though they are aren't overlapping issues.

They are where I shop. Some people consider that p&c is an overflow blue badge section. Or that Blue Badge parking is overflow p&c.

I haven't used a parent and child space since my DS was about 5 and still in the flinging doors open phase. I wouldn't dream of it now.

Still, I don't see why they need to be near to the shop - where I live they all seem to be nearer than the disabled spaces which seems wrong.

Still, if the guidelines are up to X age then the person wasn't doing anything wrong were they?

@PetraRabbit - when mine was a baby, I opened up the back/boot door and lifted her out that way so no need for a parent & child space. Now I have a different car and she’s nine, I have more need of a wider space as I have to be able to get in and fasten the seatbelt cos she can’t do it herself unless we have the car seat in the front. So, it’s not always as simple as what you’re suggesting.

I think it’s hard to stick an age on it. I wouldn’t use them if my children were not using car seats and able to get out of the car without reducing the one next to us to scrap. And also be trusted not to charge about the car park like they’re at Alton towers. They’re not able to do that yet at 6 months and 3. I also struggle not to reduce the car next to me to scrap when taking out the car seat.

Once they can get in and out of the car by themselves (including straps). So somewhere between 5-7 depending on child.

@starfishmummy

Also people who talk about blue badge spaces even though they are aren't overlapping issues.

They are where I shop. Some people consider that p&c is an overflow blue badge section. Or that Blue Badge parking is overflow p&c.

PC spaces are an overflow to BB ones.

But not vice versa

Some people consider that p&c is an overflow blue badge section. Or that Blue Badge parking is overflow p&c.

The first is fine. The second is definitely not!

My tescos has a sign saying children up to 10, asda is children up to 12, sainburys is up to 14.
Our best one is our local Morrison’s who have a sign saying up to 5. But there’s only 2 parents and children spaces anyway!!

Do people not use child locks on their cars? Apart from safety it stops them opening the car doors and hitting another car when you are parked