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

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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.

I agree 5 and under.

Really no need above that as often kids can do up belts alone.
And should be being taught not to open too wide.
Really just for getting asleep baby in car seat out.
Or pregnancy
Everyone else who wants more space -- park further away!

So what? Queueing is a courtesy and not enforceable but it’s still cunty to push in

I understand now.

I finding fastening on child into a car seat which uses an ordinary belt requires a fair amount of space. More than fastening a baby or toddler.

It's the cars that are getting bigger.
The seats are only slightly bigger.

If that’s the issue, surely cars can see you as an adult with a trolley walking slowly? Autistic bolters are less safe.

I never understand why people want to take away something that makes people’s lives easier. Are you not a happy person?

The existence of these spaces appears to make some (entitled) people's lives mote stressful - if we believe much of MN that is!

No actually, they always say they are here to pick someone up or they’re inside.

It's really not worth getting annoyed at tbh.

Some people are dicks. Better to rise above it.

We still use them sometimes although my DC is 8. While they have some mild physical difficulties and mild SEN which makes it safer and easier to go in a big space, we don't NEED to use them. But does anyone?

Before my DM's blue badge came through we used to park in these spaces. DM (in her mid-eighties) is a bit clumsy because of her condition and needed the extra space. I'm normally a rule-keeper but figured the supermarket would understand the need. We never went at a busy time anyway.

Well no, the rules of the car park have decided who needs the space by designating it for parents with children under 5…

Eh?I wasn’t the one being the cunt. How do you figure that? I should just tolerate shitty behaviour because I’m a woman and he’s a man, and doing anything other than a ladylike smile is being a cunt, right?

Im proud of myself because I have a tendency to stand up to bullies, and don’t think it will harm my kids watching me stand up for myself and them. I certainly don’t cower thinking I’ll be stabbed or shot largely because I’m nit a neurotic weirdo but also because I find being a bully goes hand in hand with being a coward.

....while thinking 'what's it got to do with you?', no doubt.

I also hate the “We never used to have them’” attitude - so what! So life is never allowed to get easier or more convenient?

Exactly, but it would remove one of the topics that is guaranteed to bring out the frothing brigade.
And it won't be long before someone tries to claim that parenthood and disability are the same.

Is stressing about or feeling like you can police a parking space actually making life easier?

Meh! Im sure they’re thinking much worse but honestly doesn’t bother me. Why should it - they’re the one parking in a P&C space because they’re precious over their car!

I will never understand why people need so much space to get tiny children out of the car. I'm certainly not petite and never had any trouble with this.

Is it because people insist on having the fancy travel systems which mean that they have to get the entire car seat out of the car instead of just lifting out the child? Can't they just put their kids in the trolley? (And yes, carry them across the car park to the trolleys if necessary, it's hardly a big deal!

Or is it because they have unnecessarily large cars that don't leave enough space for anyone?

I mean, I do understand that it's more challenging if you have twins or two under 2 or whatever, but I can't imagine for the life of me why you would need a special space for one 4mo baby. If the spaces are going to be reserved for anyone, I think it should be for parents on their own with 2 or more very small children (And even then I think wtf don't you just shop online!).

I honestly think that these spaces just encourage parents to feel all entitled. Most people would manage just fine without them.

Have you seen a seat that can rear face a 6 year old? They are far less accessible than a forward facing seat; you need the door open wide to do them up. It’s not just a seatbelt.

Are you a parking attendant?

If so, can us parents of disabled children who don’t qualify for a blue badge get our own spots please? After a few years new parents will forget about the trials of P and C years etc - but some of us will have them til teen years.

I agree. ,y brother used to rant at non parents using these spaces, and then he would park there with his teenagers in the car.

@MrsMurphyIWish do your children really need it if they do not qualify for a blue badge.

Agree with this! My son is 5.5 but can't buckle himself in. I can't do it from the front so need to be able to open the door fully.

I do think once a child can buckle themselves in reliably then you shouldn't use the wider spots.

My autistic 7 year old needs the extra space and the proximity to the supermarket far more than I needed it with my non autistic children when they were under 5. No he can’t do his own seatbelt. Or undo it. I absolutely could park further away, but he’s a danger around traffic.