Parent & Child

[ICEMANSAV]

Why should spaces be made available at the front of supermarket car parks just for those who have chosen to have children? I understand disabled as this is obvious, but just because of a lifestyle choice by having kids I don't see that as fair.

I am only narked as I got told to move for parking in a P&C bay, by a 18st woman with 2 teenage kids. Surely they can walk.

I know I can park elsewhere and the hypocrisy is evident, c'est la vie.

[kick3m0n]

What you have to get your tiny head round is that the supermarket does this because ... (can you guess)....folk with kids spend rakes of money in all depts and if they feel they are treated well will show a great deal of loyalty to the store in question.

It's not special treatment of those with kids, it's part of a marketing ploy to try to get families to shop there and keep shopping there.

But regardless of why they exist, as a mum of one toddler, I'd have laughed my a$$ off watching you move after lard-mom gave you a row. These much coveted spaces are SOOOOOOOOOOOO handy when it's pouring with rain and blowing a gale (both frequent occurrences up here in Scotland), oh how we laugh at those who choose to be childless!!!!!!

[SKY250]

Yeah your right that woman should never have told you to move her kids are older.

They are at the front next to disabled spaces because parents need room to open there car doors wide if they have children to get out of a car seat so they don't scratch cars or hurt there child trying to squeeze by other cars. I think they are right to have them at the front if you look they have more room at front between cars.

[kick3m0n]

SKY - you're right. I did once witness a very harrassed dad struggle out of his car with a toddler and a baby in it's car seat. He wasn't in a parent and child space, and so had to manoeuvre (sp?) both child and baby in car seat out of the small gap by the passenger door. I saw, and heard, the loud "scratch" as he tried to make a grab for his fleeing toddler, simultaneously scraping the car seat down the side of the Volvo he'd parked beside. So Icemansav.....think yourself lucky, and give thanks for those extra wide spaces!!

[barb1314]

We had a giggle about this a few weeks ago.I was with my Dad and he said 'shall we park in the parent and child spaces?After all I'm a parent with a child'....He's 56 and I'm 37!!! I think these spaces should be left for the people they are meant for.We just thought it was funny.

[ICEMANSAV]

Roll window down a bit, works for dogs, or better still leave the little terrors in an after school activity while shopping. Nothing worse whilst shopping than a screeching child ;-)

[stoo_pid]

As a parent I am very thankful for supermarkets that provide spaces, particularly those near the store entrance. The extra space to get children in & out of the car has already been mentioned but more importantly for me is, the closer the spaces are to the front door, the safer it is for my children.

These spaces are intended for parents with babies or toddlers. If I go to the supermarket on my own or with my elder nephew (aged 12), we park as normal & walk. I have had more than a couple of arguments with people who think that fat & lazy is somehow a disability or that having an unoccupied child-seat in the car counts as Parent & Toddler.

Incidentally, some supermarkets make an effort to keep these spaces from being used wrongly & some don't. In my region I have seen staff at Tesco & Asda speaking to people parked in the wrong bays. Morrisons on the other hand won't do anything even when I made a complaint. Guess who gets all my business?

[SKY250]

Iceman how can you say that i hope you have no intension in becoming a parent in the future. Its safety for the child and also for others would you prefer your car to be scratched every day cos parents have to squeeze past. I think not.

[Artemis]

I have a large 4x4 and park where I want. If I can't get a large space I take up two normal spaces. I personally don't care what other shoppers think.

[rd14962]

Artemis, you did make me smile.

A few years ago a pal went to an auction and was tempted to bid on an ex army tank, he said he would go to town init, I asked where he would park it, he shrugged and replied Wherever I want!

[kick3m0n]

Artemis..... I wonder why 4x4 owners get such a lousy, selfish, "I own the road I'll do what I want" reputation???

[Bohne]

I don't think they are really meant for women (or parents) with teenage kids.

But a baby buggy can be as much hassle as a wheelchair, and I don't agree with people using these bays (either handicapped or mother/baby) without need.

What's wrong with making life a little easier for some people, even if they have kids voluntarily...

[fideldyfee]

Artemis - i think you have the right idea. I park in the expectant mothers spaces at ASDA all the time, have done since i started driving at 17 and how i love to see the looks people give me trying to see if i have a bump! i would never park in a disabled space but everywhere else is public domain if you ask me!

[Artemis]

Actually I don't park in disabled spaces but as far as I'm concerned anywhere else is fair game.