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.

@PascalHey no? They just have seats for when children can sit up unattended and mine can’t. Most mums I have seen in my local have car seat on the trolley. I have never seen any baby specific ones

I think when there are no car seats/they are able to safely exit themselves without assistance/understanding not to fling the door wide open. Not sure what age that is though - guess all kids are different.

This.

I’ve never seen a parent and child space section at a supermarket that didn’t have a sign up with the age limit on it. So what does their signage say?

@ghostyslovesheets

your needs don't trump other peoples though - sorry

They kind of do if OP has a baby she has to manoeuvre out of a car seat and someone else has an able bodied 12yo.

Child may be sight impaired, deaf or autistic. The could be blue badge holders using parent child space because blue badge spaces all full. You don’t know their circumstances, so shouldn’t judge.

I think it's when they stop using a car seat. Even if they can get in and out themselves, the car seats can make it more awkward.

I HATE it when I see (usually lone men) people without kids parking in those spaces. The worst are the flash sports cars that park there so they don't get scratched.

I have no issue with a blue badge holder using the spaces if there are no disabled spaces left, or heavily pregnant women using them.

I’d say up to 12 unless there’s disabilities involved and the blue badge spots are taken.

I don't have a child and use them. I'm disabled and have a blue badge but use these spaces if there's none available or if they're closer, annoyingly P&C spaces are nearer to the entrance

I have stopped using them, my DC are 8/10. I would say I stopped when my youngest stopped wildly swinging doors open. Not actually sure when.

I might see someone with older kids parking in them but I just mind my own business.

The majority of car parks do suggest an age. My nearest is 4, the one opposite 5. Some of them go up to 12.

My Dad is the sort of "funny" guy who thinks I should park in one with him in the car. I don't because it would be a dick move.

@ghostyslovesheets

your needs don't trump other peoples though - sorry

Agree

YANBU but aot of people on MN just about wet themselves with the excitement of making sure a parent with young children should know they have no right to those parking spaces, anyone can park in them, and they will most definitely have a hidden disability (very rarely the case). It's quite pathetic.

[quote WeightyMama]@PascalHey no? They just have seats for when children can sit up unattended and mine can’t. Most mums I have seen in my local have car seat on the trolley. I have never seen any baby specific ones[/quote]
Yep that's fair enough. I wasn't being goady. It was a genuine question as I know not all supermarkets have the little baby chairs. Honestly I only ever took the car seat out once and used one of those car seat trolleys and flipping hated it!

Definitely ok for blue badge users. I think p& c should be at the quiet end of the car park as long as it's attached to a path for safety. No need to be close to the store.

Actually I’m sitting in a Sainsbury’s car park now. Here’s the sign. So a child up to 12 is limit.

also no one is saying the OP has no right to use them - just that she has the SAME rights as other parents and if they are full that's tough

I hate seeing babies in car seats so I may be biased (out side of the car obviously!)

If they were further away from the entrance to the shop then maybe they would be less appealing to people without children. They are a perk for shoppers, they are not a legal right like Blue Badge spaces are. People get so het up about misuse of P&C spaces, but don't seem to care when the same happens to Blue Badge spaces, which are a hell of a lot more necessary than P&C. In lots of shops the P&C spaces are closer to the door than BB spaces, which is ludicrous.

@PascalHey I realise my no? Sounded a bit arsey, but it was more because I don’t know what they are! I haven’t seen one. Maybe I need to find a different supermarket but it’s the closest.

To everyone saying spots should be far away, I have explained why it would be beneficial for me to be closer! But I understand those with disabilities using them if there are no free space - but at my supermarket disabled spaces are just as close as p&c which is good, sorry to hear in some places they arent

@tofuschnitzel

If they were further away from the entrance to the shop then maybe they would be less appealing to people without children. They are a perk for shoppers, they are not a legal right like Blue Badge spaces are. People get so het up about misuse of P&C spaces, but don't seem to care when the same happens to Blue Badge spaces, which are a hell of a lot more necessary than P&C. In lots of shops the P&C spaces are closer to the door than BB spaces, which is ludicrous.

Well you wouldn't get get up about it unless you are a blue badge holder and so are aware people are misusing the spaces.

And the next time I'm parked in a normal space and some wanker that doesnt give a shit can't drive, comes up and parks net to me at an angle, I'm definitely going to "accidentally" damage their car.

At 12 my brother looked 14/15. I think boys can look older than they are especially if their parents are tall.

Don't really think it's for strangers to be the judge of.

@ghostyslovesheets

also no one is saying the OP has no right to use them - just that she has the SAME rights as other parents and if they are full that's tough

I hate seeing babies in car seats so I may be biased (out side of the car obviously!)

Mumsnet is full of absolute crock of shit sometimes. You hate seeing babies in a car seat so you're biased?!?

@ghostyslovesheets you’re still
Not answering the question, plus you might hate seeing baby car seats out of the car but what else do you want me to do, how do I shop

@ghostyslovesheets

also no one is saying the OP has no right to use them - just that she has the SAME rights as other parents and if they are full that's tough

I hate seeing babies in car seats so I may be biased (out side of the car obviously!)

Mine can't lie down in a flat carrycot and is too small for the actual pushchair seat of the pram yet. What do you suggest?

Round here they are described as for people with children under 5/in pushchairs, except Sainsbury’s which is about 12. I don’t bother with them anymore, I just park at the back of the car park where there’s loads of space. I don’t need to be close to the shop, but it’s handy being able to open the door wide enough to get DC strapped in.