When are your kids too old for you to use the Parent parking spaces at supermarket (if they have no additional needs)?

[Janefx40]

Just wondering really. My DD is 6 (I also have a younger boy but he wasn’t there). For context the spaces at our local are limited…there is usually one available but often only one and sometimes they are full.

Obviously if kids have neurodiversity, physical needs or any other specific reason to be closer to the shop then that’s different.

For kids with no additional needs and are reasonably good at not running off (still 6 so can happen nevertheless), would you park in the parent and child?

Yes.. I'd park in parent and child until they reach the age limit on the signs. It's usually around 12 isn't it? My eldest is a teen but my youngest is a toddler so got a while before I have to worry.

Never. It says parent and child spaces and following that rule, I am shopping with my child, or, at a stretch, shopping for my child (the youngest is now 17). Or I'm taking my DM to the shops and I'm the child!

[sits back waiting for the deluge of abuse].

If they made modern parking spaces a reasonable size, I'd use them.

I’ve never seen an age limit on the signs. Didn’t know it was 12!

I’ve seen some parent and child spaces saying 12 and under but some others saying 5 and under.

I don’t think you can go by a specific age. Going by a specific age doesn’t take into account height differences (what if you’ve got a 4 year old as tall as a 6 year old) or the individual child’s personality. I know you’ve said about neurodivergent children but that aside, some 6 year olds would be able to open the door without slamming it in into another a car and some wouldn’t. If you’ve got a 6 year old that can open the car door without slamming it into the car next to it, can get themselves in and out of the car and can walk sensibly then you probably don’t need a parent and child space. If you still need to help them with their seat belt or getting in, then you probably need one.

If I can’t get a parent and child space, I will look for a space that has extra space on the side of the child’s car seat so I can help them in and do their straps. I think when I stop looking for those spaces when I can’t get a parent and child space is when I won’t need a parent and child space.

Its officially 12.

But I stopped well before then. They didn't need the extra space, it felt wrong to use it and make other lives harder.

I'd prefer there to be spaces for elderly and U5s rather than for healthy Primary aged children.

I think when they’re old enough to strap themselves in because surely that’s the test of whether or not you actually need the extra space.

The running off has nothing to do with it surely because the P&C spaces are typically at the front in the busiest area of the car park so that’s something you have to mitigate regardless.

I think once they are enough that they can strap themselves in. In a normal space it's not possible to open the car door enough for you to do it.

They are a ridiculous construct - all car parking spaces should be big enough to enable you to open your car door without scraping the one next to you - none are. I see no need for them beyond this.

I stopped when youngest was about 6 or 7. Unless ND no need when they can strap themselves in and aren't going to run off whilst you unload the toddler.

The signs say 12, my youngest is ten. If I’m honest I still use them sometimes if popping in quickly. A proper shop and I go further away.

When I had 3 under 4 it was helpful to be able to be near the shop without having to navigate a massive car park. Obviously it was doable just much safer.

I find it incredibly irritating when people with children who look 10/11+ use the last space leaving you to struggle getting two toddlers and a pram out of a normal space, I’d personally say once they out of the baby/ toddler style car seat, you probably don’t need to make them a priority if others struggle because of it,

It often says on signage. A local shopping centre says toddler rather than child and I used one recently that said babies and buggy. I think it is pretty selfish to park in them once child can get themselves in and buckle their seat belts themselves.

As soon as your child is mobile and can walk themselves to the shop, it's for pregnant women and babies and toddlers and ND children

I wonder sometimes how we all managed years ago before all these concessionary spaces became a thing. Why on earth would someone with a 6-12 year old who is not ND actually need to park there?

I've stopped with my eldest, she's 10, but if I've got my 3 year old in tow I still use them. I remember the hassle of trying to get a baby seat out of the car with limited space, so try to be mindful of using them, my 3 year old is a bit of a planker so it's helpful to have the space.

About 5ish though I wouldn’t really care if I saw a parent with an older child in a p&c space.

When they can do their own seatbelt. Then you don’t need the space. Probably before that. When they get in/out without you lifting them

You could just park further away. You know it is selfish and inconveniences people they are actually for.

12? How bloody ridiculous. Aren't most 12 year olds going to the shops by themselves, rather than holding mummy's hand?

I think years ago cars were smaller so actually fitted better in the car parks

Mine are older now but as soon as I wasn’t needing her extra space to strap them in

12?? I thought it was 5 at a push. surely it’s just for kids in big car seats?

For me it's a case of need. I have a toddler and baby. If I am getting them both out and managing prams, bags etc then I'll use it. If I'm going in to grab one thing and just have the baby with me and don't need to bother with the pram then I will use a normal car parking space. For me parent and child spaces are something to make life a little easier so if there is a reason older children will benefit from it then that's grand.

The problem is the social contract is fraying and we don't trust eachother. People take because they can not because they need it which makes everyone else wary, territorial and untrusting. It would be great if we could see teenagers coming out of a P&C space and trust the parent had legitimate reasons but people do take the mick. Others see that and think well why am I bothering to be a good person about it, I'll take the mick too and so begins the entitlement spiral.

I personally would like to see some P&C spaces with the extra space at the back of the carpark so people are less likely to take the mick with them but with a proper, safe path to the shop as it's navigating the car park with distracted drivers searching for a space that I hate.

When they don’t need a car seat/assistance strapping in.

i have young kids and really notice that in the school holidays that the parent and child spaces are dominated by selfish parents and tweens.

yesterday I saw a 13 year old sat on an iPad inside (alone),
parked in a parent and child bay, whilst I struggled sorting out two preschoolers in car seats.

my local supermarkets have signs which say young children specifically.