To feel that parents with older children shouldn't be using parent and child car parks?

[mickitee]

Several times since having my baby, I've been to car parks where all the parent and child spaces were full, and then struggled with her pushchair in a regular car space only to look over and see a family with older children (8+) getting into a car in one of the parenting child spaces.

Am I wrong to feel that these parks are designed for families with babies and younger children using pushchairs, or who actually need what's the extra space to be able to get their child in and out safely without risking damage to cars around them. If your child is at an age and ability level where they are capable of getting in and out of the car safely by themselves, you don't need the space and are just making life more difficult for other parents.

So, AIBU to feel annoyed about this?

@yellowbadgeblue as a disabled person you would take absolute priority over anyone with a child as far as I’m concerned.

This is why I would never judge any individual using any space, as I don’t know why.

my post was merely saying that the 12 year age limit is silly. As I say, a child with a disability over the age of 12 would need that space. However plenty of children under 12 do not.

If a space isn't available for a parent with a child because I'm using it as a disabled person (when the disabled spaces are full, or when I'm in DPs car and not mine if I forgot my BB) I'm ok with that tbh

Why is its silly? It works for people. It's a great gimmick.
If a 12 year old is using it and someone else wants it it falls under you snooze you lose.

We have a 26 year old that needs the wider space due to ataxia and unable to use a seatbelt herself due to severe ld's. Don't get me started on why she doesn't have a badge, it's complicated! but I wrote to her local supermarket who said it was fine to use the p&c spaces if you require additional space and the council haven't provided a badge

Mine are 9 and 12. I use the spaces to keep them safe in a busy car park.

I use them, my kids are 10 and 12. But if you would like a door shaped dent in your car from where my ASD son swings the door open like a duracell bunny on crack. Then that's fine.

Unfortunately he doesn't wear a hat or lanyard to indicate he's disabled.

Kids are more likely to smash doors open on to other cars too. Not anything I could get too worked up about even when I had a tiny baby.

Mine are 3 and 6 and can get in and out by themselves, I just need to do the buckle up for them. It's perfectly fine in a normal parking space until you get a massive 4x4 on either side. They are a bigger problem than the actual parking spaces.

Mine are 4 and 6, sometimes I use the parent spaces because it reduces the risk of them being knocked down in the car park and I still need space to lean over and do seatbelts.

Are you saying if there's a parent space I should leave it just in case someone with a baby comes along?

I do remember how annoying it was getting a baby out of the car - tbh I addressed that problem by not really taking DC to shops with me. Online shopping or leaving them at home.

Tbh I never really thought about the car seat issue, don't know why but something we never struggled with and it never bothered me if had to park further away with a baby because they'd be going safely in a pram or in my arms.

I use p and c spaces if they are walking and not tall enough to be seen over cars.

Definitely don't feel more entitled if the only reason is solely for not wanting a longer journey across a car park.

I use them with my 8 year old and will continue to do so. My child has autism but we can’t get a blue badge so currently I rely on using them to make the trip just that little bit easier. And for your info the parent/child spaces are often up to 12 - so whilst I can I will continue to use them.

I thought P&C was for under 12s in one of the supermarkets? I thinks that's way too high and the cut off should be 8ish when kids aren't going to fling open doors fully.

I think because car seats are required for up to 12 years it might be that some people struggle to get kids out of car seats in normal parking spaces.

I use them if I have my toddlers (twins) even though we rarely use the pram any more. I'm pregnant and they're hefty so sometimes getting them out is tricky unless in a wide space. I don't bother if I only have eldest (6) as she's very careful with doors anyway and perfectly capable of getting herself out. But not all 6 year olds could get themselves out without a bit of door bashing....

They didn't used to exist and people managed. They are nice to have but mostly you can get a spot with nothing next to it further away and it's not difficult to navigate a car park with a pram unless you're recovering from very recent birth etc.

this

I’ve never seen that anywhere! In fact I’ve never seen any age specified at all. It’s usually just a graphic to show it’s a parent and child space. I’d always assumed the extra space was for getting baby/toddler equipment out without the risk of damaging neighbouring cars.

I think because car seats are required for up to 12 years it might be that some people struggle to get kids out of car seats in normal parking spaces.

A booster seat is needed for children up to 12 or below a certain height. The overwhelming majority of children can get themselves off a booster and out of the car. Why on earth would you need to remove a booster seat from the car?

@WornOutAndWorried Oh my god 😂 get over yourself, I'm hardly suggesting you need to write a thesis to get one.

Are you aware of my children's needs? - maybe before you start whining consider whether I have children with additional needs/disabled.

I don't need to walk a mile in your shoes hun - and really think it's funny you think it's suitable to throw your pathetic ableist accusations arounds. My comment was literally an opinion where it would stop people judging those who need the spaces, maybe grow up and return when you can read a post without getting your pants pissy 🙄

Runs in..................channels Suzy Wong .............

Has this thing kicked off yet. ™

😂

I get what you are saying but assuming you don't have a blue badge, I would simply park further away where there is lots of space as required? Problem solved. And as others have said, they are intended for parents with children up to 12 or thereabouts so are as entitled to use the spaces are those with babies/toddlers.

In one supermarket, can't remember which one, the spaces are for 5 and under it states on the sign

I’ll settle for any children over entitled single males in big cars that take over our local supermarket’s ‘parent’ spaces but you’re right op. They should be for people who have ‘equipment’ to unload like prams, pushchairs and car seats.

I find the aggression towards the op on this thread actually depressing. I don’t think the view is controversial and while many people may have their reasons - door whacking kids for example (attempt to teach them not to perhaps?) just own the fact that you are depriving others of a space and in doing so, making their life harder. Instead of getting defensive just take responsibility for the fact that you are utterly selfish.

I wonder if P&C spaces were located far away from the entrances to shops if people would be so keen to use them?

What about people like me? Who can't get out or in if they can't fully open the door?

I'm often in the car on my own, and DP's car is a 'big' car

Fair enough now as you have a blue badge, but to use them before you had a badge is totally wrong!
If you need extra space to get in and out of the car then you should park away from the other cars not in a parent & toddler space. The spaces are designed bigger to get a car seat in and out of the car

They wouldn't be any use to me if they weren't near the entrance, and if the disabled spaces were full, I'd have to go home.