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AIBU?

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Original poster

Parent and child parking spaces

370 replies

WeightyMama · 08/05/2021 15:06

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.

OP posts:
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5
Haenow · 09/05/2021 01:08

The P&C spaces are useful but I do wonder how the MNers who claim to need them manage at child based attractions like soft play or the zoo. I find the spaces just as narrow as supermarket ones and the car parks can be a bloody hazard. That said, P&C spaces make life easier and less stressful, so of course, I wouldn’t use one without my children. Once my children can safely get in and out of the car and strap themselves in, I would stop using them. I’m not sure what the cut off should be, all children are different.

prawntoastie · 09/05/2021 01:10

Agree

prawntoastie · 09/05/2021 01:10

It’s wrong I mean

Sillawithans · 09/05/2021 01:14

My youngest is 12 and I use them the odd time.

lakesidelife · 09/05/2021 01:50

The P&C spaces are useful but I do wonder how the MNers who claim to need them manage at child based attractions like soft play or the zoo.

My dc are now way past this point but the difference was that in an attraction I used a pushchair and I didn't visit attractions by myself.

So arriving at an attraction we would park in space with an empty space beside us and unload dc straight into pushchair.

If when we arrived back at attraction and someone else was beside us being in a couple it was easy to pull out into wider space without leaving dc by themselves.

In the supermarket I was by myself and in addition I couldn't just load my dc straight into a pushchair, I needed a specific trolley in limited supply at the front of the store by the P&C parking.

So they really weren't the same at all.

Blackhawkdown2020 · 09/05/2021 01:55

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

RainbowMum11 · 09/05/2021 01:57

I avoid this by not going to the supermarket anymore, and if I need to nip to a shop, I leave DC in the car.
Solves all the problems.

Pasqual · 09/05/2021 05:00

This is why I think they should have them further away from the door, I have 2 under 2 and cannot get them both out safely on my own without that wee bit of extra space. I find myself often parking as far away as I possibly can, preferably in a space that only has one space at the other side and can almost guarantee that there will be someone parked right beside me everytime 😂
Totally accept that they are a luxury and not a right though.

BritWifeinUSA · 09/05/2021 05:14

Maybe that was the only space available when they arrived. You said yourself that there were no spaces when you arrived. So it was very busy.

Lucidas · 09/05/2021 05:17

MiL uses them all the time with 22 year old son (always accompanied with a chuckle and 'he's my child isn't he??')

BusyLizzie61 · 09/05/2021 06:22

[quote WeightyMama]@ghostyslovesheets you haven’t answered my question which I’ve asked repeatedly; at what age is the cut off point? Presuming no issues or disabilities.

And good for you that you carried your children, as I said I have back problems, it isn’t brilliant for me to carry heavy baby and car seat.[/quote]
Why do you not just use a baby trolley? I don't know any supermarket that doesn't have them!

I echo they hidden disabilities. I have a child with ASD, not eligible for a blue badge. But yes we need to use these spaces. And even the teens with ASD in the family need to as well.

As for age. The supermarkets each have their own guidance. Most say around 12,which coincides with the smallest children no longer needing car seats.

You've got years to go. So as someone with a bad back, you need to start being more effective with how you manage your child. Carrying the seat isn't best for your back! A sling would actually be better for you. As would potentially parking further away but close to trolleys...

Parent and child parking spaces
Parent and child parking spaces
Parent and child parking spaces
pollylocketpickedapocket · 09/05/2021 06:24

@DynamoKev

Yeah, you are right, 23 is too old to count as a child for P&C spaces.
Obviously a typo, why are you being a dick?
KatherineOfGaunt · 09/05/2021 06:24

@momager1

I believe that if the child is still in a car seat (not a booster that some parents now use until they are 8 or so!) and a pram or having the child sit in the front seat of the shopping cart is required, then these are the people that should use those spots. If the child is old enough to get out of the car before mom is even out, or allowed to go to the park alone etc, then in my opinion they are too old to take these courtesy spots.
I'd hope ALL parents use a booster seat for their child if they are under 12 (or under 135cm tall) as that's the law!

www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules

pollylocketpickedapocket · 09/05/2021 06:26

@PascalHey

I think I need the space more now than I did when mine were babies/toddlers (mine are only 4&6 now). As a little baby I would take them out of the car seat and place them in the baby chair. As older babies/toddlers I would take them out and put them in the child seat in the trolley. Now they're at an age where they can reach the handles so are more likely to swing it open into a car parked next to us in a normal space. Hmmm.

Anyway to answer your question, yes I think 12 is too old. Maybe 9 would be my limit for a NT child with no physical disabilities.

If the child has disabilities, there’s usually plenty of disabled spaces.
LaBellina · 09/05/2021 06:28

As soon as the child can get out of their seat alone and you don’t need the extra space anymore to help them.

Sleepyblueocean · 09/05/2021 06:47

"If the child has disabilities, there’s usually plenty of disabled spaces."

Which you need a blue badge for which the child may not have.

pollylocketpickedapocket · 09/05/2021 06:53

@Sleepyblueocean

"If the child has disabilities, there’s usually plenty of disabled spaces."

Which you need a blue badge for which the child may not have.

Why not? Anyone I know who needs a blue badge has one.
BusyLizzie61 · 09/05/2021 06:54

@pollylocketpickedapocket
If the child has disabilities, there’s usually plenty of disabled spaces

Vast majority do not receive a blue badge, as technically they "can" walk, on the whole. This totally disregards the differences in age appropriate behaviours that are more typical, such as no or little awareness of Road safety, use of different car seats. Nor for the behavioural issues that often transpire. Yesterday, as I was getting my lo back into the car and inadvertently touched my Los hair, you have no idea on all that transpired as a result. We need that space believe me (my lo is only just in school so younger, but you get my drift).

Sleepyblueocean · 09/05/2021 07:02

"Why not? Anyone I know who needs a blue badge has one."

Do you think every person with disabilities gets the support they should get?

itsgettingwierd · 09/05/2021 07:04

There is actually another - and more important problem with regards P and C spaces.

They are always wider. It's what they are designed for.

But many older car parks still have the system where disabled spaces are directly by the door - but they aren't widened spaces.

Further away there have been widened spaces added for P and C.

Considering many people with disabilities need a bigger space and have WAV's they then have to use these wider spaces.

There should be tighter laws and policy around this. There needs to be a national ruling to make sure people wanting P and C spaces are disadvantaging those who need disabled spaces.

I've had to use PC spaces with my ds BB numerous times as he needs the space to open the door and the disabled bays at the place do not have this but there are PC parking spaces that do - that's the real scandal.

Sleepyblueocean · 09/05/2021 07:05

There is supposed to be a system in place for people with hidden disabilities but the reality is awarding a blue badge comes down to individual council policy and the whim of the person who looks at the application who is a council worker not someone medically qualified.

Passionfruitpizza · 09/05/2021 07:06

When the child no longer needs help with their seatbelt so no specific age.

Quirrelsotherface · 09/05/2021 07:08

A 12 year old, with no hidden disabilities for mum or child, does not need a child parking space. A mum with a baby in a car seat does. Common sense is all Confused

flashylamp · 09/05/2021 07:09

@pollylocketpickedapocket

Why not? Anyone I know who needs a blue badge has one.

A joke, right?

Anycrispsleft · 09/05/2021 07:17

We were at IKEA yesterday with our 9yo twins and DH made to turn into a P&C parking space. I directed him further on Smile When ours were little I really depended on getting a P&C space at the supermarket because I didn't like to leave them in the car while I walked across the car park to scare up a double child seat trolley, and because I had to be able to get round both sides of the car to get them out. I would never take one now that I don't need it. There were times - and I used to go in a Wednesday morning when it was quiet - when I just had to turn round and go home.