Altercation in carpark

[Icecreamsundaz]

I was in a supermarket carpark, I had put my baby in her carseat and had just loaded my groceries in the boot. A car parked in the parent and child space next to me and an older couple got out, early 70s I would guess, able bodied, no kids with them
I said "sorry do you realise thats s parent and child space" and I pointed to the markings.
Well his response was very rude in tone "I came here to do my shopping, not to dance around" ?? "It should be first come first served " and they stormed off. I was a bit taken aback, I said loudly but they were a bit away at this point so not sure if they heard me "god id hate to be so ignorant". I took a picture of their car. Not really sure what I was going to do with it, thinking I would think about it and perhaps report to management. I got into my car
The next he was at my window "you took a photo, its illeageal to take photos of other people's property, delete it." I ensured my doors were locked, he stood behind my car so I couldn't reverse out, she was at my windscreen taking photos of me. Eventually they moved and I got out.
Maybe I shouldn't have said anything but there were loads of other places they could have parked but the parent and child spaces are limited. Its very frustrating when I've all my kids and can't find a free parent and child space because people like this who dont need them take them and they don't give a shit

I’m torn, I don’t think calling people out on their behaviour is a bad thing. What is the world coming to? Where’s the line for minding your own business? Yes OP was parked but what if another mum wasn’t and needed the space.

Should we call people out for parking in disabled spaces? They aren’t monitored either on private property.

People saying parent and child are a perk or we coped in our day….yes to both but you didn’t have these massive cars and large car seats. Unless you have had to ask a stranger to look after your baby while you back the car out enough to open the door you don’t understand.

However OP with a small baby I would have left it as you don’t know what people are capable of and they might cause more issues.

6 of one and half a dozen of the other.

But you put your baby at risk which for me is the start and the end of it.

Well if she is that bad then she should apply for a blue badge.

I live in North London and the rules in my borough for getting BB are very strict. I don't qualify, in spite of being completely unable to get out of the car if I can't fully open the door. I can walk on a flat surface but can hardly manage steps. According to my local council, because I can walk, I don't qualify. I can't drive myself any more, DH drives. If we can't get a space on the end of a row I can't go into the shop. It makes life challenging and just adds another thing to the list of things I can't do.
My consultant says I am not disabled enough to qualify for a knee replacement. Being in constant pain doesn't count.
Sorry I don't know what FM is, but maybe your relative lives in a kinder place or has something else that ticks the right box.

What about all of those parking in disabled spot with no blue badge?

If you can walk and don’t drive then you can be dropped off and then your husband can park.
An aged relative wouldn’t apply for a blue badge so that is what we did.

You don't know they were able bodied. They may not be able to walk far and maybe the disabled spaces were full. I have often parked in a parent and child space when I'm driving my elderly disabled relative and there are no disabled spaces left. She is more in need of a convenient space than someone young with a child.
Anyway, you wanted a row and you got one.

Getting a baby out of a small car in a normal sparking space is a ball ache. Choosing to have a big car is just that a choice. If all the spaces are filled with legitimate parents and children then other parents with kids would just have to park elsewhere anyway and manage. I doubt they would drive home and just not bother.

If it's just about car parking space maybe the answer is for parent and child spaces to be at the far end of the car park then other people won't swipe them.

Nobody will care as much about people who are disabled and their car parking issues.

So much anger would be avoided if the parents and children spaces were located at the back of the car park.

They ARE useful. People can claim they used to manage fine, great for them, but there are spaces where you cannot bring a car seat in and out of the car, there's just no space. And yes, in many travel system you just take the baby in the car seat.

It's great with 2 adults, one can move the car until you can open the door fully, but a parent alone with a baby? Doesn't work, and I have small cars

But put the parents/ child spot at the end of the car park, people will stop fighting for them

Not every old person is entitled to a BB. See @hurtingallover ‘s post.

They were Dicks but you are not the Carpark Police

I wish that was all i had to worry about...

I did and I commented.

One day @Icecreamsundaz you'll be old, tired, and maybe need to park with a bit of space and nearer to the shop. Maybe you'll have learned a little empathy by then.

Having a child really doesn't mean you can't walk a few extra steps.

I would wait until you are as old as they are before you start judging them for parking in a space that lets them get the car doors open so they can get in and out with arthritic joints.

Sometimes people need help getting out of the car. It really is better for them to park closer to the store.

I love the parent & child patrollers on here

Wow, the replies on this thread are ridiculous.

P&c spaces aren't always at the front of the car park, like disabled spaces. Sometimes they can be at the back of a car park. But they always have a safe walking route to get to the shop: which is absolutely necessary with young children.

Car parks are so dangerous with young children. No one should park in one of these spots if they don't have young children with them. (or older children, because children in general do do silly things)

Op: You were right to question them and to try to report them to management.

Pretty much this. Main character syndrome has become the norm past covid.

There ain’t nothing more entitled than a mother and her PFB…

nailed it @Icecreamsundaz

This. Are you going to police those spaces all day/every day?

And typical that OP picked on an elderly couple in their 70s.

She wouldn’t have said anything to a big, burly man.