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?

No, I stopped when dc were about 4 and could get themselves into and out of their child seats easily by themselves (including seat belts).

I was a bit embarrassed to use a parent child space when dc clearly could handle everything themselves.

Yeah this. ^ Imagine being proud of using parent and child parking spaces when your 'child' is 17 years old! 😕Most 17 year olds are bigger/taller than their parents. And also using them when you're a middle aged woman with your elderly mother, because YOU are the 'child.' WTAF? 😂

I've read some bizarre posts on MN, but this takes the biscuit!

OP, yeah I think the maximum age of any child (to use the child and parent bays) is 12. Should be dropped to 8 IMO though.

When they get in the car and do their own seatbelts . The problem with these spaces is where they are , they should be as far away as possible with a safe route to get to the store .

Families with physically able children need space to open doors and a safe route into the shop.

I think shops should make larger spaces, further away with safe walkway into shops and those families that can use them should.

I often park at a distance from the shop. You are more likely to find several empty spaces in a row so easy to pull in, get out, load and leave. I’m convinced it’s quicker than looking for a space nearby!

I always assumed it was when you didn’t need the extra space to get a kid in or out of a car seat, so you could open your door fully without banging the next car.

So once they are out of a car seat would be my answer.

When they're old enough to strap themselves in. My DS is 8 and he can strap himself in so I don't need extra space for him but I do open the door for him and hold it firmly when he gets in and out, to prevent him from bashing the car next to ours. He is autistic with poor proprioception skills so tbh it's a lot less stressful when we have a bit of space!
I still do my youngest's seat belt so when she's in the car I will use a parent & child space (if there's one available - so many selfish people use them when they don't actually need them). She's in a ERF seat but will move to a HBB in about a year or so, at that point I expect she'll be able to strap herself in and I won't need the extra space for her any more.

I don't think they should be close. It would help keep selfish people out of them. However that comment was specifically in response to the person I quoted. Another selfish person who could easily just park far away.

You need the extra space to get alongside them to buckle them into and get them out of their car seats, so I'd say once they can undo their own seatbelt and safely enter/exit the car on their own without an adult to assist.

Its 12 as the limit same age as recommended car seat use

I’ve barely ever used them, certainly once we no longer used the pram/ pushchair, as they’re always full and the car had sliding rear doors anyway so didn’t overly need the extra space.

Just had to change the car to one whose doors open normally/ outwards and have also swapped DD to a different car seat which is particularly awkward to fasten so may have to use them where I can - she’s 5.

I’d say they are aimed at parents with children to get into a pushchair or need to be strapped into a car seat. At 6 they can probably do that themselves. You can still stop them spanking the door into another car in a normal space.

We stopped using them at around 5 or 6, however we do use them now when disabled spaces aren't available.

I think, assuming you're a reasonable person and have NT non-disabled children, then as long as you feel the need to. My youngest is 12, I've not used one for years because there comes a point when you're not really doing shopping with them and if you are then you are confident that they will behave sensibly. Trying to think when we stopped using it, it feels like it was pre-Covid so DS was 7-8ish.

I think it’s selfish when parents of older children use these - I have a 3 door car so have to full open my door to get my 1 year old in and out. If you child is capable of getting into the seat I don’t think you need an extra large space. I wish they would move these spaces to the back of the car park or top floor of the shopping centre - I have no issue walking further, just need more space!

My thoughts exactly. Once they can unclip themselves and climb out of the car..... About 6, then you don't need a big space.

I spent my DD's early years with a two door coupe, and a four door convertible. Now those really did need the extra space!

I’d say once a child can open the car door and strap themselves in you don’t need to use them.

The supermarket near us says until 12. The public car park says under 5. Personally I stopped when my youngest was old enough to get himself out the car alone and also sensible enough to stand calmly by the car, so I guess around age 4.

How do people cope in all non-supermarket car parks where there are no parent and child spaces? I hear ludicrous stuff like it’s impossible to open the doors in a normal space yet it’s only the big retail outlets that do these spaces and if you’re going to the local car parks in town you sure as shit won’t find any special spaces. Or what about when you have to park on the street?

Age Limit:
Under 12 (typically sitting in a child or booster seat)—the widely followed guideline across UK supermarkets.
Who Enforces It:

• Tesco & Asda: External agencies issue fines/P/CNs.
• Sainsbury’s: Handled by store staff and car park operator.
• Morrisons: Staff request compliance; may leave notices.
• Aldi & Lidl: Rely on customer honesty; minimal enforcement.

Pregnant Women: Often allowed discretion in Tesco, Sainsbury’s; store staff should be consulted.

I think something like this would be good...

Just wait until your kid is older then! Toddlers are capable of getting into a seat but they will need help with the harness/seatbelt for some time yet

It’s not usually a problem to park on the street but it can be tricky in some car parks depending on how big the spaces are and if people park closely to you. I normally don’t have a problem but the other day 2 cars parked close to me in a car park and it was really tricky strapping my 7 year old in because he needs help with the seatbelt.

It happened to me when my kids were 3 and 6 months and I had to leave my 3 year old waiting on the grass and put the 6 month old on the front seat next to me, then pull out of the space and get them in properly.

DD is 5 and can't do the seatbelt up by herself, it's a small car and the buckle is in an awkward position. I park in them if she's in the car because I need to open the door wide to lean over her, I don't want to risk dinging the car next to me. DS is 8 and can do it by himself so if it's just him I park in a normal space. I probably would raise and eyebrow and people using them for 12 year olds if I'm honest.

I think once they can navigate getting in and out by themselves.
a friend of mine said she still parks in them with her 10yr old because she worries about her girl bashing the car door into the next car. I feel she could just hold the door for her.

. I think if they can get in and out of the car by themselves with minimal assistance then stop using them.
I get so frustrated when I’m looking for a parent and child space to get my baby in and out and people are parking in them with children about 8+ getting in and out of the car themselves with ease. I can appreciate that generally people will say it’s up to 12 (same as a car seat) but in all honesty I just find it really selfish.

Many years ago a friend was complaining to me that someone had parked in the parent and child area, who didn't have a child with them.

It was pouring with rain and her baby got a bit damp in the extra 20m or so to the shop door.

I suggested the person who parked there had probably nipped out on their lunch break and had to go back to work. She was going home, where her son had lots of dry clothes.

But to answer the question, you should stop using those spaces when you're no longer wrestling with car seats and buggies.