To think people without kids who use parent and baby spaces are just lazy and selfish!

[Mummer123]

local Tesco and nearly every single week I have a run in with someone over this. I am 7 months pregnant and have a 1.5 year old. For me it’s not even about the walking, it’s the extra space at the sides so that i can get the baby in the trolly/pram at the side of the car rather than at the boot where there’s traffic.

i don’t mind if there’s older people who clearly are struggling with mobility but fit, healthy people who park there and not a child in sight. A car actually cut the one way system a few days ago to park in the last mother and baby spot. Was a man on his own, plenty of other spaces in the car park. I wouldn’t even park in them if I don’t have my baby with me. I just think it’s so lazy and selfish.

Our Tesco and Asda have at least double the blue badge spaces to parent and kid spaces.

It is very annoying when people park in parent spaces, especially when they don't appear to have any mobility issues (yes i know that not all disabilities are visible)

However, on the flip side, if distance doesn't bother you, if all the parent & baby spaces are full, can't you park further away where it's less likely someone will park next to you?

Well - not really. The wider space just makes it a bit easier, especially if you (as I did) have a car with no back doors. But I never felt it was safer, just less of a squeeze.

They're not unsafe in a normal space.

It's just a convenience. That's all.

Car parks aren't the motor way, and your child is at no more risk of harm getting out of the car.

I don't understand people who say on these threads "they're not enforceable". They absolutely are. If the owner of a private car park wants to put those restrictions in and clearly signposts them, then they are enforceable in the same way rules around how long you're allowed to park are enforceable.
Just because they're generally not actually enforced doesn't mean no car parks can.

Well, there's no signs saying so in any of the carparks I go to that have them. The most it says is "please try not to use these if you don't need them" or words to that effect.

Not a single supermarket will have signage to say you will get fined if you misuse them. Why? Because they're just a space without any legality.

Some private might issue PCNs, but there would have to be a really good reason... And like how can they prove that child with you ISN'T under 12? For example.
I'd be interested to see the signage you have in yours to see if it's "enforceable". . Because how can they police it?

I have said over and over and over again. I don’t mind people who have additional needs, disability temporary or otherwise using them or any other valid excuse that means it makes their lives easier. It’s people who don’t need to use them who do. But hey don’t let my replies or facts ruin your narrative.

It's wonderful to see all the mental gymnastics on here from people desperate to explain how much they are entitled to use it too, and that nothing is 'enforceable'.

it just goes back to my core belief that the British adult of today is OBSESSED with what they can get as a perceived advantage. And if they knew someone else is parking in that space and getting all that extra room, they will want it too.

This is why pretty soon all the spaces are filled up at the Waitrose near me, and with at least half of them with people who aren't entitled to use the space according to the car park's guidelines.

Those people however I fear are the same as many posters on here:

" It's not enforceable "
"no one stops me"
"they weren't around in my day"
" parents don't actually NEED them"

etc etc

Just anything, anything to not miss out on a perceived advantage.

Yes, but you have absolutely no way of identifying if that person has a "genuine" need.

But you said you get into arguments with people on a daily basis about their parking. You don’t know anything about the needs of the person you are starting an argument with.

unless your employed as a parking warden then mind your own business and park in an empty space.

Who cares though??

So what, you're mildly inconvenienced...? And? Why should I give a fuck?

You're the one who said you have 'run ins' with people regularly, and that you "don't mind" if they clearly have mobility issues.

It's your own narrative I'm using, not something I've made up.

I know it’s so unreasonable as a pregnant parent to want to be able to park in a parents and baby space that are designated for parents and baby ahead of people who don’t need them

Honestly how dare you @YoungGunsHavingSomeFunCrazyLadiesKeepEmOnTheRun

I am sorry about your life, and your situation, but you don't have the right to tell the OP @Mummer123 what she gives a fuck about , or doesn't give a fuck abiout

She has been VERY clear that she supports all people who have disabilities who need to park in the spaces because of a lack of provision elsewhere. Those people however , in some cases, would do very well to get a blue badge for their child because quite simply? They are entitled to it.

But aside from that, it is always strident posters like yourself who come on to shame anyone who talks about this subject, by pulling the disability top trump which of course shuts down any other argument about misuse.

So tell me this @YoungGunsHavingSomeFunCrazyLadiesKeepEmOnTheRun

• Is the man in the Transit van who is on his phone with the engine running waiting for his mate to come out of ASDA, also a hidden disability?
• Is the lady with her whole adult family who jump out, ignore anyone else and walk in, they're also all disabled?
• Are the group of lads in their BMW 8 Series coupe who jump out vaping and laughing and run straight into the store, are they also disabled?

What I'm saying is... you are dismissing all other arguments about selfish people, by claiming that by even daring to argue about her feelings, the OP is therefore tarnishing other people's issues.

That's just WEAK argument and I'm calling it out.

From what I remember from the rules on blue badges, users can park anywhere that isn't causing an obstruction (DH's friend used to park on double yellow lines outside the bank with his). So they can use P&C spaces if the BB spaces are all full.

so you do mind other people parking in them then! Make your mind up.

but hey having regular run ins with people over parking spaces sets a great example to your children!

I could count in one hand the amount of times I was lucky enough to get a P&C space in 6 years!

It really doesn't matter, because I just park somewhere else and get on with it. I might grumble, but I don't really care enough to confront anyone or get upset about it.

Just like I do at the doctor's, the train station, the playground, the country park, the local play farm, the library, the swimming pool, the gymnastics club, various places I've visited, my Nan's parking area... none of which have P&C spaces and are always full. You just get on with it.

I just find them easier to park my Range Rover in

I do when they don’t need to park there and do it just to be lazy!

And that's the weak level of argument which shuts down the whole debate on here.

Of course no one can identify who has a genuine need

but here's a thought -

Maybe the people with genuine needs could apply for a BLUE BADGE? You know, the visual indicator which gives access to parking spaces?

And if they've already got it, they could display it in the P&C spaces and no one , I guarantee no one including the OP, would have an issue with it?

We have a system in this country which actually supports badges for "hidden" disabilties, but you wouldn't think this on Mumsnet where the only option anyone ever cites is "I must park everywhere I want because I am entitled to".

P.S I have a child with a disability. So don't start.

But the point people are making is you don’t know.

people don’t wear neon signs explaining their life story. You’re making assumptions based on appearances. Life doesn’t work like that

Again @Sirzy , maybe the people who have a life story, could apply for the tools in society which helps them to get access?

I had to sit on the line to DWP for hours, I've had to apply for the badges etc, for a condition which doesn't always get it, but I did it.

Because not everyone who could benefit from a BB is actually entitled to them...

My friend has a degenerative disease, you wouldn't know. She gets a blue badge and a mobility car
Except for one year when they randomly decided she wasn't entitled to these any more.

She had to appeal, get consultants to say "yes this degenerative incurable disease definitely won't get better, and will only get worse until she dies" so yes she still needs that BB, the one she's needed for 15 years...

So what?

I'm sure you do things because you're lazy too.