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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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
3AndStopping · 08/05/2021 16:31

@VeganVeal why do you though? Is there a valid reason or you’re just lazy?

3peassuit · 08/05/2021 16:32

I stopped using them when my youngest reached school age. I started using them again when my 90 year old dad who used sticks to walk with was turned down for a blue badge.

Nesski · 08/05/2021 16:34

I'm 34 weeks and I really struggle to get out of the car as parking spaces are too tight... I think it's a Sainsbury's thing, their spots are always so tight!

Parker231 · 08/05/2021 16:34

If there are to be P&C spaces it would be safer if they were well away from the store entrance. Would be safer getting DC’s in and out of the car in a quieter area.

Fuebombaa · 08/05/2021 16:34

Mumsnet theatrics as usual. You can survive without your precious parking space

ditsyprint · 08/05/2021 16:35

I have just come back from sainsburys and had to wait for a p&c parking space as they were all full. The first people that came back to their car had no children at all.

I have parked in a normal space before with my baby and ended up stuck at the shop waiting for the person in the car next to me to leave so I could get her in the car as I couldn't open the door wide enough.

I think if your children can get in and out of the car on their own and you don't need the door wide open it's time to leave the p&c parking to the people that need it.

dottiedaisee · 08/05/2021 16:35

If the car spaces were a good distance from the shop entrance this problem wouldn’t exist! People are just lazy, that’s why they use these particular spaces.

Confusedandshaken · 08/05/2021 16:36

All other things being equal I'd say they stop at age 10 or so. But don't assume that there wasn't some reason why she needed to use the space for an older child. You couldn't see any reason but that doesn't mean there wasn't one. Or she could be a selfish CF. You will never know.

Sirzy · 08/05/2021 16:36

Our local Asda have just had the car park redone and have got it right IMO.

Lots of disabled parking close to the shop. The rest of the spaces all wider meaning no need for p and c or anything because all the spaces are a sensible width.

Original poster
WeightyMama · 08/05/2021 16:37

@FTEngineerM there is only one or two trolley bays and where I parked yesterday the door was actually closer.

So not that odd. Any other patronising, uninformed comments you want to make?

OP posts:
AliceMcK · 08/05/2021 16:38

If I was going to pick a number I’d say 10, for no specific reason.

If I’m on my own with just 1 dc, my oldest whose just turned 9 or middle just turned 7 I will park anywhere, I don’t care about a parent park, I have done this for a couple of years now when I’m just dealing with one of them but if I have the whole brood (youngest 3) I will use a parent park if I can. Mainly because all common sense and care seems to go out of the window when they are all together. They don’t think about opening doors or wandering away from the car especially when messing around. In a parent park at least I have room to manage them and stop damage to other cars.

I honestly don’t care if the parent park is further away as long as I’m not having to rein 3 kids in while crossing a car park with drivers who don’t care about others when pulling out of spaces.

My main tescos has 2 full rows of parent parks, I happily use the ones furthest away from the store because there is a footpath and zebra crossing that leads straight to the store so we are not having to walk in the actual car park at all.

What I fucking hate though are people with no children what so ever using them.

Confusedandshaken · 08/05/2021 16:38

@VeganVeal

I park in the parent and child. I'm 43 and dear old mum id 65. I'm still her child, if you dont like it log it with 101
I'm 60. If my children start referring to me as their 'old mum' in 5 years time I will be royally pissed off. Even my 78 yo mum gets annoyed when referred to as elderly!
NotFrozen · 08/05/2021 16:38

@Fuebombaa

“You can survive without your precious parking space”

Why are some mumsnetters so mean? I rarely meet people this unpleasant in real life. There must be a whole class of people who seem nice in the real world but let rip with unpleasantness online... hmm]

Sparklingbrook · 08/05/2021 16:40

[quote 3AndStopping]@Sparklingbrook Yeah we looked at them when buying our MPV, but they only really came on the higher end/more expensive ones.

Even with them though sometimes the gap for getting kids out (in a normal space) would be minuscule especially with a humungous bump to navigate. 😂[/quote]
Never found the gap miniscule it was just great not worrying about having to open the door or when the were older them doing it. At least the bump situation is only temporary though. Grin

Voomster953 · 08/05/2021 16:40

I use them when I park with my mum. And she’s 68.

Original poster
WeightyMama · 08/05/2021 16:41

@Fuebombaa have you rtft? Yes I can survive without it, but with my back being bad right now (I have pelvic issues) do I want to? Not really, I’d rather have the opportunity to reduce the pain where possible and this is a place where I can reduce it if I am able to use p&c spaces.

Thanks for your contribution.

OP posts:
Fuebombaa · 08/05/2021 16:41

@NotFrozen how is it ‘mean’, it’s a parking space

footiemum3 · 08/05/2021 16:42

I think it is also difficult to tell a child’s age I have 10 year old twins that would easily look about 7 to strangers, where at least a couple of their friends are already nearly 5ft.

Theweedonkeeey · 08/05/2021 16:42

I have a 10 year old and wouldn’t even consider using a parent and child space. Haven’t since she was about 6. I just don’t need it. I have a 3 year old and use the parent and child spaces as it’s much safer.

Original poster
WeightyMama · 08/05/2021 16:43

@Sirzy do you would rather I took a blue badge away from someone instead of just using a p&c space? Weird.

OP posts:
Pottedpalm · 08/05/2021 16:44

@Roundtoedshoes

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.

I would give up looking at who uses these spots and just be happy if you get them when available. It will just make you annoyed. Plenty of people without kids at all use them. Or go one better and avoid taking kids to the shops if you can (runs and hides from people that have various reasons for not being able to do that, so disclaimer: IF you are able to shop alone, do so).

Child locks on the doors? So they can only be opened from the outside. We always used these, tho the DC got fed up when they were 16..
VeganVeal · 08/05/2021 16:44

[quote 3AndStopping]@VeganVeal why do you though? Is there a valid reason or you’re just lazy?[/quote]
The spaces are wider and I have got fed up of the years of people whacking into my car with their door. If I park further away mum and to walk further and shes a plodder, takes ages

Brissiegirl · 08/05/2021 16:45

I occasionally use them and don't have my kids with me however as I don't quality for a blue badge but I do need plenty of space getting into and out of car due to bad knees, I would make no apology to anyone. I've never parked in a disability spot, and wouldn't use a parent space when my knees aren't acting up, and wouldn't question anyone's right to use one. Everyone's needs are different. live and let live.

24GinDrinkingOnceTheKidsInBed · 08/05/2021 16:45

I have a DD who’s 16 months, I understand why parent and child spaces are a thing, because I honestly dread it when I can’t find one and have to get DD out next to someone else’s car in the right spaces.

But why they are out by the door baffles me. I don’t need to be right on the bloody doorstep, I just need the space. If happily walk on over the carpark. Putting them right outside the door is just too tempting for twats with no children or idiot with children who can get themselves out without needing to be manipulated by an adult.

Muchmorethan · 08/05/2021 16:45

[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]
Getting my food shop delivered has really improved my back pain. The supermarket trollies were awful to maneuver