Parent and child spaces should be for those with children 5 and under

[seize]

Parent-child parking spaces at supermarkets should be reserved primarily for those with children aged 5 and under, aside from older children with special needs (although a blue badge might be more appropriate where they meet the criteria, in these cases).

I was alone with my 4 month old today, the trolleys with the baby seats are kept next to these spaces. The spaces which have the easiest access to the trolleys had all been taken with the last taken by someone just before me, I reversed into a space around the corner and the driver was shaking their head at me, presumedly because their space only had extra room on one side and my space came up to them (see picture). I was surprised to then see them get out with a child of about 13. I saw multiple other people using these spaces with children looking like teenagers. I was able to get a space which still had fairly easy access to the trolleys, albeit by needing to walk on the road and inbetween the other cars, multiple people had parked in the spaces with the easiest access with much older children. I was lucky to get a space at all, had I not I would have had to walk across the busy carpark holding my baby.

YANBU- Just because someone has a child under 16 doesn’t mean they should take up these spaces, they should save them for people who need them the most.

YABU- first come first served, who cares if someone with a baby is having to traipse across a busy car park holding a baby to get to the baby trolleys.

If the supermarket had intended for them only to be used by parents with under 5 year olds they would have called them 'parent and child under 5' spaces, 'parent and baby' spaces or 'parent, baby and toddler' spaces.

As they are called 'parent and child' spaces anyone who is accompanied by a human under 16 gets to use them.

In our supermarket here in NZ the spaces are clearly labelled 'reserved for expectant mothers and parents with young children' with big clear pictures of pushchairs.

Only ever seen them used by people with very small kids.

So are you going to stop using them when your child turns 5 then? Even though most signs say age 12 so you could continue to use the very convenient parking spaces for another six years.......

I agree - parent and child spaces are only needed if you have a child in a pushchair. That's what the extra space is for. If there is no pushchair, children will be able to get out of the car and walk to the shop. Some people park there out of laziness, as they cannot be bothered walking any further than necessary.

I was thinking this yesterday when I went food shopping! Busy car park, I’m feeding my baby in the car before we leave and next to me parks a car where a Dad and his kid who was probably about 9/10 gets out. The kid obviously gets out on their own no problem and doesn’t need to hold their parents hand or have any kind of help so why are they parked there?! They’re for people who have car seats to haul out and little ones who need help getting unplugged and hopping down and holding onto in a busy car park.

Basically if your kid can independently leave the car without whacking the one next to it then you should definitely NOT be in a parent and child spot.

It’s sad that these parents don’t remember the days where you would muster up all your energy to drive out for basic necessities, have a baby screaming the whole way there, only to not be able to find a space you can get out of and then crying your eyes out and leaving in defeat. It’s real. 😭

YANBU however i think it’s ok to use them as long as the child is in a car seat and needs help to secure the seat belt. My DD is 9 but can reliably install the seat belt correctly and has been able to for around 12 months, until then I used P&C spaces if I could.

As long as they have a child I'm happy, the people that park there with no children are the ones that piss me off

A child restrained in a pushchair is safer than one walking. A child walking has the greater need.

Seeing as you keep responding to me but adding nothing meaningful, yes I would say that is indeed the case!

My son is 7, we still use them as there’s space for him to open the door and not bash someone’s car. When he’s a bit older and more sensible we won’t need to so won’t. Definitely before he’s 13 🙈

I've been to supermarkets where the p&c spaces aren't the closest spaces to the entrance. They're near a pavement so you don't have to guide toddlers through a carpark. Lazy people are less likely to use them then as they're not the closest spaces to the store. Obviously parents of very young children (and disabled children who need assistance) need a bigger space to get their children in and out the car more easily.

Yeah I agree, I saw someone using one of those spaces with their ‘child’ who was taller than me and probably due to get a job soon.

There are a few people using them who don’t have any kid though and just don’t care.

How the heck would you determine that?

Importantly, I've not seen age restrictions on these parking spaces,
The abusers of the child/parent spaces are often the same clowns that park in bays reserved for the disabled and have not BB/etc giving them the right to park there

Personally, I would not challenge any of the clowns as they are very loud-mouthed and full of hot air. However, I did see one challenge years ago and giving it the big, I am. What was really funny was that the challenger of the clown got serioluy offended when the word "twat" was used and challenged the clown/coward for a fight. Guess what? Yes, the clown got into their car with its OH and drove off like good, little cowards. However, I would never challenge these types.

This is genius

I think the OP would like the Meadowhall scheme... you have to register to use them

https://www.meadowhall.co.uk/news/parent-child-parking-permit

For me it's a moot point, as I currently live in a country that has no P&C parking places at all. Imagine that!

I think it's nice that some businesses provide them in the UK and elsewhere, but as others have said it's just a courtesy. P&C spaces are not in any way comparable to disabled spaces.

go by bus. problem solved

DITTO

On children throwing doors open, I used to just say when the space was tight not to open the door, that I would open it. I would hold it so it didn't hit while my child got out. Later, i would warn him to be careful when we were close. Unless you have a child with a disability who can't follow directions like that, in which case the p&c spots are appropriate.

Even if they have disabilities, which may or may not be visible?

You do get well versed on your hand being the barrier don’t you 😂

I think as long as you need to get a child in and out of a car seat it’s reasonable to use a P&C space. When they can do it themselves and get out without smashing the door into the neighbouring car, then you don’t need a P&C space.

YABU. I often think people with newborns or young babies like yours don’t really need one. People with toddlers or multiple kids have a greater need. But you can’t prioritise like that and you can’t judge need based on just what you are seeing.

I have a 6 year old. No SEN. I don’t use those bays any longer. We are fine in a “standard” bay. I think of myself with a little breastfeeding baby and how much I needed one of those bays to wrangle with baby car seats etc.

id like to think others have similar POV but whatever, they’ll be piss takers with their 14 year olds I’m sure. I’m too busy to be enraged and just hope parents with little ones get a parent and child spot when they need one.

@seize Kids don’t stop using car seats when they turn 5 btw