Page 14 | To think that people who use parent and child spaces without children are selfish *****

hotcheeto · 2023-07-25T07:19:41+00:00

Fill in the starred swear word as applicable. I've only started truly noticing how many idiots do this since I had my baby 4 months ago. I can't believe how many people I've seen do it. And yes I always call them out and have had some pretty disturbing abuse thrown back. I have also always reported to the shop staff to be told it isn't illegal and there's nothing they can do bar having a parking attendant out constantly which isn't possible (I know this isn't the shop staff's fault). No disabled spaces? Fair enough, crack on. But this isn't the case 99% of the time. People use them because they are close to the entrance. I would rather the spaces be far away from the entrance with a small trolley park nearby with car seat/child seat trolleys. Yesterday I purposefully parked straight down the middle of two normal spaces because I didn't want to risk having to reverse out just to get my baby's car seat back in. As I was walking in I witnessed 3 separate very able bodied people walk back to their cars without children. Just really pees me off 😒

ilovesooty · 25/07/2023 13:22

Regholdsworthswaterbed · 25/07/2023 13:19

After reading this thread I'm actually going to tell her to use them. I've applied for a blue badge for her.

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Good. I hope she gets her blue badge and in the meantime she should use the P&C spaces if she needs to.

GettingJigglypuffWithIt · 25/07/2023 13:27

Heronwatcher · 25/07/2023 08:29

And yet you think it’s fine to park across 2 spaces meaning that others might not be able to find a space themselves…

TBH I’ve never understood parent and child spaces. Most if not all times it’s perfectly possible to get a child seat or a child out in a normal space. And it’s not like disabled spaces which are needed because if physical or mental health issues. I think the solution should be to put parent and child spaces a bit further away from the shops so they are less attractive to other shoppers.

But if you’re going to get enraged about this you’ve got a long road ahead- maybe just treat them as a nice if they’re available rather than an essential?

No it's not perfectly possible a lot of the time.

GettingJigglypuffWithIt · 25/07/2023 13:31

HerMammy · 25/07/2023 08:40

Never understand the entitlement for P&C spaces, how do you manage in places that don't have them? They're a convenience if available, not something to make a fuss about.
Park in an empty area of carpark and push your poppet in their pram to the store.
I know MN aren't fond of 'in my day' comments, but I had my kids in the 90s and managed to convey said children out of cars to shops without special spaces.

Yeah, do shut up. Back in your day sexual harassment at work and Page 3 we're perfectly acceptable too.

ThisIsACoolUserName · 25/07/2023 13:31

Regholdsworthswaterbed · 25/07/2023 13:14

Your mum sounds dreadful. My mum has heart failure, she can't walk far without getting breathless and is on a list of medication as long as your arm. She wouldn't dream of parking in a P&C space and despite bring 76 she embraces changes that make things a bit easier for parents these days.

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Yep, you've got it. She's truly dreadful 😅

Regholdsworthswaterbed · 25/07/2023 13:36

ThisIsACoolUserName · 25/07/2023 13:31

Yep, you've got it. She's truly dreadful 😅

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Dunno what's so funny but glad it tickled you.

jannier · 25/07/2023 13:38

EsmeSusanOgg · 25/07/2023 10:05

You do not. But you may need easy/ close access to facilities (blue badges allow you to park for limited times on double yellows, residents bays, council car parks etc.)

But you can get a blue badge for hidden disability reasons. I have one for autism and digestive issues. The people talking about hidden disabilities are making a moot point, because those people can absolutely get a blue badge. If they do not have one, it is because they do not qualify as disabled or have not applied for a blue badge.

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I have 3 family members with badges you do have to show it would help you to get one so needing easy access to a toilet for example. Disabled spots in private car parks are a bit different but you are expected to show your badge and why would you use them unless you need the physical room they give when other spaces are available? Unless you're fighting with someone with autism to get in/ out you can use a normal space same with digestive issues they don't tend to be significantly nearer a loo in a supermarket.
My sister needs 3 ft to actually get out of the car door and transfer to chair she also needs quick access to the loo I'd be very pissed off at someone who could physically walk the distance and not need the extra space taking a proper disabled space and leaving her ( or any other person) stuck in their car.

jannier · 25/07/2023 13:41

YaWeeFurryBastard · 25/07/2023 10:19

Maybe I’m missing the point of the thread but I personally can’t understand why on Earth anyone would want to traipse their baby/small children round a supermarket. Why don’t you just shop online and avoid all the hassle? Ok, some people can’t afford it and need to shop at Aldi/Lidl but I honestly can’t understand why some people treat a supermarket trip like a fun/educational day out.

Because there are barriers to online like the fee, slot, making informed choices by reading labels, deciding on your own substitute plus it is educational and it's getting children used to being out and following normal common standards of behaviour.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 25/07/2023 13:41

Butchyrestingface · 25/07/2023 13:19

Yesterday I purposefully parked straight down the middle of two normal spaces because I didn't want to risk having to reverse out just to get my baby's car seat back in. As I was walking in I witnessed 3 separate very able bodied people walk back to their cars without children.

Aye well, they witnessed YOU parking like a bam so it seems pretty Even Stevens. .

I remember seeing someone parked in the middle of two spaces a few years ago. The car park was heaving and two small cars had parked either side (but still in their lines).

Nosleepforthismum · 25/07/2023 13:42

AvengedQuince · 25/07/2023 12:51

My grandmother has a blue badge but sometimes another space is better for her. She doesn't need much extra space as she can get to her walker if it's at the back of the car, where the space is is more important.

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If I saw your grandmother I would gladly give her the extra space she needed. I don’t begrudge anyone who actually needs to use them and are unable to use the disabled bays BUT I’ve never seen a single person park in a p&c bay without kids that looked as though they are anything other than fit and able.

jannier · 25/07/2023 13:43

Anewuser · 25/07/2023 11:19

FlowersInTheSky · Today 11:13
You do realise you can get fined for taking up two spaces, don’t you?,

no you can’t in a supermarket car park. It’s a private car park.

Read the small print most say park in marked bays etc and are run by companies like Eurocarparks that fine you to make money.

Wheredoistart78 · 25/07/2023 13:43

I couldn't lose sleep over this.
You really shouldn't have parked in two spaces.
Enjoy your baby.

WeetabixTowels · 25/07/2023 13:43

wingingit1987 · 25/07/2023 12:37

I’ve found whenever we do an online shop then things are missing/out of stock or they send unsuitable replacements (we have one with multiple allergies so her stuff is usually quite specific). So, I inevitably end up needing to go to the shops anyway.

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I have also given up on online shopping. The delivery charges are £8 round here and click and collect is so slow that you could have gone round the shops by the time they bring out half your shopping with crap substitutes.

I also find it easier to browse offers on the shelves than fannying on on a website

Hufflepods · 25/07/2023 13:44

Sirzy · 25/07/2023 13:22

Good. She shouldn’t be left struggling.

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Unless of course they dare to have children, then it’s fair game to make their life more difficult.

WeetabixTowels · 25/07/2023 13:45

TrueScrumptious · 25/07/2023 12:52

Disabled bays should be near the shop entrance. Parent and child bays should be far from the shop entrance.

Id usually agree but there’s the issue of toddler + cars = danger.

However our local Sainsburys has a P&C section at the back with a bollard protected path to the entrance. Seems like a very good idea!

jannier · 25/07/2023 13:46

AvengedQuince · 25/07/2023 12:48

You only need the baby, not the seat, just leave that in the car and use a sling or put the baby in a trolley with an infant seat. I only had a 0-4 seat that you used rearfacing then turned around later.

You still need the physical space to thread baby into the seat...more for RF ....and do them up which maybe possible if you a 10 year old but not for most adults....they need the door open more than 45 degrees.

getafringenotbotox · 25/07/2023 13:49

Elfandwellbeing · 25/07/2023 08:39

If parenting parking was farther away people would not be so keen to use them, I don’t think it’s the additional space they want, it’s because they are closer to the shop. So move them away from the entrance, problem solved.

Yes I think this is the issue.

I've parked in them with my children, without my children, when I've been with my elderly parents who are not disabled but need help getting in and out and struggle with distance, when collecting something heavy I'm going to struggle with in my own.

They are a convenience for parents and children but not enforceable.

I think parking across two bays is worse.

EsmeSusanOgg · 25/07/2023 13:50

jannier · 25/07/2023 13:38

I have 3 family members with badges you do have to show it would help you to get one so needing easy access to a toilet for example. Disabled spots in private car parks are a bit different but you are expected to show your badge and why would you use them unless you need the physical room they give when other spaces are available? Unless you're fighting with someone with autism to get in/ out you can use a normal space same with digestive issues they don't tend to be significantly nearer a loo in a supermarket.
My sister needs 3 ft to actually get out of the car door and transfer to chair she also needs quick access to the loo I'd be very pissed off at someone who could physically walk the distance and not need the extra space taking a proper disabled space and leaving her ( or any other person) stuck in their car.

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I obviously have demonstrated I need access. Though I think you misunderstand the many reasons someone who is autistic needs to be able to park easily... I think you are talking at cross purposes here. Private car parks are indeed a different layout to most on street/ public options. And if you use a space, you display your badge. Same as on the road/ council car parks.

You do need to demonstrate you qualify for a blue badge - my point was, many people with hidden disabilities qualify for blue badges - which seemed to be the excuse given by lots of posters as to why someone without children and without a blue badge may need to park in a parent and child badge. I was pointing out that most people who do need the larger spaces, or the spaces closer to the entrance because of a hidden disability can get a blue badge. So there would be no reason to park in a P&C or disabled bay without one.

jannier · 25/07/2023 13:51

AvengedQuince · 25/07/2023 12:56

I gave up and slinged in the end. Was definitely the better way to do it for me.

I always used a sling too. Infant car seats are heavy and awkward to lug about if you do have one. You need a sling to manage a baby and trolley if they need picking up anyway.

What do you do with twins one on front one on back?

Iwantmyoldnameback · 25/07/2023 13:52

NeverThatSerious · 25/07/2023 08:34

Also i don’t think it’s any big deal parking across two spaces at the back of the car park unless the car park was absolutely rammed!

What if everyone thought like this?

takealettermsjones · 25/07/2023 13:54

GettingJigglypuffWithIt · 25/07/2023 13:31

Yeah, do shut up. Back in your day sexual harassment at work and Page 3 we're perfectly acceptable too.

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😆😆😆

jannier · 25/07/2023 13:55

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 25/07/2023 12:50

But not everyone with a disability (temporary or permanent) qualify for a blue badge so can't park in a 'disabled bay'.

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I'm pretty sure that someone who can jog into the shop isn't struggling to walk

jannier · 25/07/2023 13:59

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 25/07/2023 12:26

Also, DH is waiting on a hip replacement so doesn't qualify for a Blue Badge but physically cannot get in and out the car without the door wide open. He's been 'confronted' by people like OP because he's only young (32) so people just don't believe him.

Has he appealed?

Mostpeculiarmama · 25/07/2023 14:01

P and C child spaces aren't enforceable, so it's not really anyone's business who parks in them. It's nice if their left for parents but really not the end of the world if they're not. I don't think it's right to confront people for parking in them.

EarringsandLipstick · 25/07/2023 14:11

Ah but I meant more if your driving round and round a carpark for a space and a P&C one becomes available.
Should someone without a child drive on or can they park there then?

💯 they should drive on, obviously. Unless they are a parent with a child small enough that a space is needed.

Can't believe it's a question.

EarringsandLipstick · 25/07/2023 14:12

@ThisIsACoolUserName

Your mum parks there for no reason? No small child with her or other circumstance?

That's not only shitty behaviour, it's a horrible approach to (often) mothers trying to manage with several small children who really does need the space.