Do you use parent & child spaces when you don’t have a child?

[incognito1991]

I’ve just got back from my local retail park, which is where my nearest supermarket is and getting increasingly wound up. My 2 year old DD was asleep so I sat in the car for 10 minutes until she woke and we could go to the shop. Within those 10 minutes I saw 3 different cars parking in a parent and child bay and it was only them, no child, not pregnant, just selfish. No matter where I go I struggle to get a parent and child space because they’re all taken up by idiots with no children, I even see people with older children use these spaces, I think they should specify it’s for babies and toddlers not your 10 year old. I really struggle getting my DD in and out of the car in a normal bay as I can’t open the door wide enough, can barely squeeze her in aswell as leaning in to strap her in. If you park in one of these spaces I’d love to hear your reasons please.

I was about to say no I only use them when I have ds with me, but actually that's not true I had to stop into our local Tesco on the way back from a very long/delayed journey recently, just before midnight. I did park in the p and c because there were about 5 cars in the whole car park and I didn't think there would suddenly be 15 parents with young children needing to pop into Tesco in the ten minutes before it closed at that time of night

Before I got my bb, Asda took my reg and told me to use the P&C spaces.

Very occasionally because if there are no blue badge spaces I have to go home - it really depends on how desperate I am for food.

The problem is that there has been a massive increase in BB allocation because of the inclusion of hidden disabilities but without a corresponding increase in BB spaces and of course more people have SUVs and if they can't get a parent and child space they opt for a BB space.

All very frustrating when you struggle to go out- with either crutches or toddlers

Or they can park at the back of the car park and the walk will do them good.

Im obese because of the medication I take for my disabilities and mental health issues.

If it's late in the evening & there's not likely to be children around then yes, I do use them.

I did this recently with my 7 year old and felt bad about it so won’t do again
There were about four of these parking spaces all next to each other and all free and very early in the morning. I used them with her so often when she was little. The sign is of a family, they don’t specify baby spaces etc but a picture of a family, so i’m never sure what age it goes up to

No, but my local Tesco annoy the hell out of me by pushing ALL of the trolleys to beside the shop at the top. Instead of leaving some at the trolley parks all over the car park.
Many times have I pointed out that people may need a trolley to lean on to walk, they may have heavy stuff for the charity shop that's inside Tesco or heavy books/several books for the book exchange, and there should be some left in the trolley park near the metro station so that people who have come by metro and are older/unsteady on their feet can have a trolley straight away instead of having to walk another five minutes ot the door (it's a big Tesco).
When my two were little I also tried to park further down the car park where there was plenty of space rather than at the Parent and Child ones further up; the trolley problem was the same back then too.
I do sometimes go somewhere else but it's our nearest and most convenient supermarket.

I wonder if the "solution" might be to locate most of the parent and child spaces further away from the supermarket entrance? That way, possibly, the sheer bone idle folk wouldn't be quite so keen to nab them.

Great so a new mum struggling with post birth recovery has the longest walk to the shop?
Or the person with a little toddler has to cross rows and rows of moving traffic?

because someone with no need feels entitled to park closer to the doors?

I’ve seen that suggested before on here - far away with a walk way?

I didn't suggest ALL.
I suggested MOST.

I doubt many women stop off on their way home from the post natal ward to do a shop.

I did when I broke my leg. I must have used it about 3 times in 6 weeks.

Not everyone wants to use the service. I got fed up of being sent below par fruit/ veg, meat about to go off fairly soon, and so on. Not much care was happening.

Wouldn't the little toddler be sitting in a trolly, they wouldn't be toddling round the supermarket surely? Move 'a lot of' the p&c bays further away and make sure the trolley shelter is kept topped up. We managed years ago by using collapsible McLaren buggies to get to the main trolly park but I know that wouldn't do now.

I do very occasionally but don’t make a habit of it. I did when I had an injury which meant I couldn’t walk far and needed to open my door widely. You can’t get a blue badge for a temporary injury.

I also sometimes use them late in the evening/at night when most kids are very unlikely to be out and about.

I don't particularly care.
It's probably only happened once or twice tbh, so it's not something I make a habit of or do for the sake of it.

My kids are all adults now but I didn't even drive when they were little so would have to get my shopping on the bloody bus with a double buggy and two babies under 1, (and an autistic 6yr old too if it was half term)
To be able to drive and have a car to do the shopping at all would have been such a treat.
I can see that a special parking space at the supermarket makes it easier for parents nowadays, but I think it's a bit over the top to be so precious about it.

I use them all the time. I have an 11 year old (who looks 14) and an 8 year old.
My oldest has autism and spinal scoliosis. We are in the early decision phases of blue badges and don’t have one yet. He is a danger to himself if he has a meltdown outside a shop, can easily bolt into the road and under a car.
My 8 year old had ADHD and whilst he has a brilliantly creative brain, he possesses no actual life skills. His “staying alive” part of his brain is still mostly inactive and he will run into traffic, dance his way across a car park or even join a different family if he’s not 100% focused.
So I have and will continue to use P&C parking spaces until we have BB, as currently it’s safer for me to park up, let them out one at a time (I also have suicide doors) and stop any potential running across the carpark scenarios.

Also to clarify, 10 year olds still go in car seats. My son is 9 turning 10 and I use P&C everytime so I can open the car door wide enough to buckle him in. So it’s not just for toddlers and babies.

Yes you’re absolutely right the extra 10 metre walk will cure their obesity and fat people should be humiliated and made to suffer for the wrong choices they’ve made in their lives, gosh how come we’re not all as wise and perfect as you, then the world would be a much better place filled with healthy people.

How is it humiliating to walk across a car park? 🤣

I’m obese. You can’t see that can’t walk though. You’d just think fat bitch.

This

I sometimes do this.

It means stopping blocking the traffic flow, getting the wheelchair out, helping her out, parking the wheelchair safely, then going off to find a parking space while impatient twits
Lean on their horns.

Or, on better days, helping her to a bench before driving off.

And then the same in reverse.

Seriouly... two toddlers was a breeze compatex to an elderly parent.

My DC have additional needs and hidden disabilities so I’ll use them even though they’re 10. And I will continue to do so.