Parent and Child Spaces

Cold War Kid · 13-07-2015 05:24PM

Just a goodwill gesture by the supermarket/shopping centre for those who have a baby (or babies) not walking yet, and a bunch of shopping bags - no need to get upset over it.

Park there if one's free and you feel the need to make a point.

seenitall · 13-07-2015 07:16PM

anncoates wrote: »

It being Ireland though, some people without kids will be inflamed with a maniacal urge to park in them purely as a fervent expression of their human right to be 15 yards closer to a shop entrance in the summer.

This made me lol

, yet I can tell you that if you think it is a specifically Irish thing, you are sorely mistaken - it is a human nature thing. In fact, as a foreigner here I can tell you that the Irish would be very very laid back when it comes to this sort of thing compared to most other places in Europe, especially the south and east of Europe (so if you think it's bad here, now you can start imagining the rest!).

The Irish are generally very polite and civilised, actually. It is strongly one of the reasons I live here, without a doubt. The general standards of behaviour required in the wider society here are so much more pleasant, unassuming, and conflict-shy. Self-entitlement and aggression are frowned upon more.

I could go on but you get my drift.

Cold War Kid · 13-07-2015 07:19PM

That's surprising actually - I find there to be an inflated sense of entitlement here. Something I'd expect far less of in germanic/Nordic countries.

anncoates · 13-07-2015 07:26PM

seenitall wrote: »

This made me lol , yet I can tell you that if you think it is a specifically Irish thing, you are sorely mistaken - it is a human nature thing. In fact, as a foreigner here I can tell you that the Irish would be very very laid back when it comes to this sort of thing compared to most other places in Europe, especially the south and east of Europe (so if you think it's bad here, now you can start imagining the rest!).

The Irish are generally very polite and civilised, actually. It is strongly one of the reasons I live here, without a doubt. The general standards of behaviour required in the wider society here are so much more pleasant, unassuming, and conflict-shy. Self-entitlement and aggression are frowned upon more.

I could go on but you get my drift.

Spent time in Germany and Norway before and found it to be the opposite.

As much as I didn't want it to be the case.

seenitall · 13-07-2015 07:31PM

Cold War Kid wrote: »

That's surprising actually - I find there to be an inflated sense of entitlement here. Something I'd expect far less of in germanic/Nordic countries.

Yeah I can't speak for Germanic or Nordic - may well be. But there are nations, as I said, further to the east and south, trust me, ye guys and gals are on a whole different level of cultured! One of my recent visits back home I was lucky I didn't get beaten up for not relinquishing my place in line when a bigger woman started to muscle in - just because I was smaller so she knew she could, see. In fact, it wasn't luck so much as me relinquishing it in the end, as I didn't fancy a black eye in addition to the shoving. That's an extreme example but otherwise that kind of behaviour - queue jumping etc, is rather commonplace.

Jen Pigs Fly · 13-07-2015 08:03PM

I have a very bad knee ... Needing a replacement probably. Got severe ligament damage years ago.

I rarely if not at all use P&C parking or disabled parking even when the pain flares up so badly I can hardly walk, I've used the P&C parking once or twice during quiet times.

once I used the P&C parking during a busy time as there were no parking available anywhere close to the shop and I was on crutches (going into the pharmacy to get pain medication) and was only going to be there 5 mins, even thought it was busy there was still one or two free P&C parking. A lovely couple with 2 young kids next to me helped me get the crutches out.

Had a car pull up with two 8/9 year old looking kids give me evils and said that the car park is for people with children only, I was in too much pain to retaliate but the couple who helped me just told them that I need that space much more than they do with their pre teen kids. Baffling.

Then a brand new BMW with a man in a suit pulls into the last remaining P&C spot right in front of a car with kids attempting to park into that space. He didn't even look back when he stormed into the shop.

I will be entitled to a disabled parking permit when I get the replacement, but that could take years, and honestly I won't be using the disabled parking much as most of the time I'm well able! It's just when it flares up.

Gatling · 13-07-2015 08:12PM

Cienciano wrote: »

It can be hard in fairness. And a buggy isn't much use if you need a trolly to get your shopping. I remember going to the shop with 2 kids, a 6 month old and a 2 year old. You cannot put them in buggy, go over to get a trolly and come back with the trolly and buggy, put them in the trolly and put the buggy back in the car!
The P&C spaces are abused by parents too. You see parents with 6 or 7 year old kids using them! It's not rocket science who needs them, if I go to the shops with my 3 year old I wouldn't bother with them. With 2 kids I'd look for one, but tbh, they're pretty much never free so sometimes I wouldn't even bother

Parents abusing p&c parking spaces that's a new one .

Who decides what parent and child age groups get to use them.

alias no.9 · 13-07-2015 08:13PM

Patser wrote: »

Why? Because putting parents with multiple kids on furthest side of car park isn't the safest option. Imagine having 3 kids under 6 (I don't) but trying to keep them.all together across a car park (let's say Liffey valleys car park) on a busy day. You have to see the inherent risk there, or at least the annoyance to the parent.

As opposed to p&c parking near the entrance with a footpath immediately beside the car -
again Liffeyvalley as example. Kids immediately out of traffic.

Liffey Valley is a great example of how it should be done with the spaces beside the footpath though not necessarily closer to the door than many of the regular spaces

alias no.9 · 13-07-2015 08:21PM

Gatling wrote: »

Parents abusing p&c parking spaces that's a new one .

Who decides what parent and child age groups get to use them.

Age is probably a bad indicator, if the child needs to be lifted in or for someone to strap them in, its appropriate. Other than that unless there's a child who's prone to running off without looking its good manners to leave them for someone else.

Gatling · 13-07-2015 08:25PM

alias no.9 wrote: »

Age is probably a bad indicator, if the child needs to be lifted in or for someone to strap them in, its appropriate. Other than that unless there's a child who's prone to running off without looking its good manners to leave them for someone else.

Or a child with disabilities physical or others

sdanseo · 13-07-2015 08:27PM

eviltwin wrote: »

Put them down the end of the car park, see how many people want to use them then.

I understand that the argument for this is that it gives parents space to open a door fully to remove a car seat but I don't buy that. Unless car park spaces have shrunk in the past 20 years.

That's not actually an unreasonable suggestion.

Babies and children have prams or can walk. The point of putting a disabled space near the door is that it makes it easier for a wheelchair user to get to the shop, avoiding potholes, long walks for those using a stick etc. Genuine mobility issues rather than an inconvenience. The parent and child spaces don't need to be right beside the door - that's not to say they need to be in the next county either, but put them a little further away so that people don't use them unnecessarily might also work.

Car park spaces are too narrow in a lot of cases - I like the few shopping centres that use u-shaped lines which leaves a bigger gap between spaces for doors and the like.

Anyone who can't park straight, or who at the very least doesn't have the decency to fix their parking when they realise it's shíte, needs to not be allowed drive for a little while.

osarusan · 13-07-2015 08:35PM

Even though I think the P&C spaces are not all that important, I still think the people who shouldn't park there but do are being d!cks.

greenfrogs · 13-07-2015 10:43PM

Playboy wrote: »

Lol a cynical marketing ploy. Jesus we have P&C parking space conspriacies now :rolleyes: Nearly every single supermarket has P&C spaces because it makes sense to provide facilities to your customers that they need.. you know like changing areas. Young children and babies need some consideration just like the elderly and disabled people. Not sure why the parent haters on here have such a problem with anything family related... you were a child once you know! If it isnt baby on board signs its something stupid like P&C spaces that get the young singles wound up

Of course these spaces are a marketing ploy. In fact because they are wider, they take up room which could of been used for more parking spaces. Everything a supermarket/shopping centre does is to maximise profit. If it means providing facilities that will entice shoppers in then, those facilites will be provided for, eg toilets, changing facilities, etc. Like another poster mentioned, a family will usually spend more money than a disabled person.

candy-gal1 · 13-07-2015 11:10PM

Tbh in the OPs situation there I think the elderly person was well within their right to park there, but thats just me probably, I just think that if your going to give up a seat/parking space etc it should go first to the elderly or disabled person before anyone with a child!
Thats probably just me as I say but I just think that we should be caring for our disabled and elderly who dont have a choice in growing old or being disabled (as far as we assume) over the people who have made the choice to have children.

Obviously people with children have rights like that too of course and rightly so, but imho they come after the elderly or disabled

Dubl07 · 13-07-2015 11:26PM

alias no.9 wrote: »

Age is probably a bad indicator, if the child needs to be lifted in or for someone to strap them in, its appropriate. Other than that unless there's a child who's prone to running off without looking its good manners to leave them for someone else.

Why do so few parents these days use reins for their very young children? That would solve one problem.

beauf · 13-07-2015 11:30PM

Dubl07 wrote: »

Why do so few parents these days use reins for their very young children? That would solve one problem.

Kids hate it.

beauf · 13-07-2015 11:32PM

They should make all the spaces bigger as cars these days are bigger. Doors are bigger.

People will shop where its pleasant to park. If you're worried about your car getting dinged you won't park there.

Dubl07 · 13-07-2015 11:32PM

beauf wrote: »

Kids hate it.

Kids hate lots of things that keep them safe, well fed and adequately rested.

beauf · 13-07-2015 11:47PM

Dubl07 wrote: »

Kids hate lots of things that keep them safe, well fed and adequately rested.

Moving quickly from A to Z there.

You mean like adults hating Parent and Child spaces. Or walking a bit further to the shops.

It much easier to shop with "very young" kids constrained to a seat of some kind.

YFlyer · 14-07-2015 12:11AM

My brother has one of those Freeman on the Land notice on the window of his car. So he can park where the feck he likes.

fleet_admiral · 14-07-2015 12:13AM

Im actually surprised they arent 'Mother and Child' spaces

FrStone · 14-07-2015 01:02AM

I'd never park in a disabled spot, what with them actually being required by the user.

However parent and child spots are fair game. They are especially handy if it's raining and you want to get inside quickly

Cantona's Collars · 14-07-2015 01:36AM

Tesco in Wexford is amazing:rolleyes:,about 16 or so parent and child spaces dotted around but enough disabled spaces to take half of a Lourdes pilgrimage.It simply makes no sense to have spaces from one end of the car park to the other given over to disabled spaces when only about 4 or 5 are used on any given day.

14-07-2015 08:13AM

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

The shop owns the car park. They set the rules. If you dont want to follow their rules, go shop somewhere else.

I'm sure you expect people to follow your rules on your property.

What are the rules?

I haven't seen them written down.

We have a baby still in the pram stage. If I see a car park in one of those spaces and the driver has no kids...pffffffffft, doesn't bother me.

anncoates · 14-07-2015 08:37AM

I think it's fair to say that in the competitive world of parking whataboutery to justify parking where we like, a disabled, elderly child wins out. Amirite?

PandaPoo · 14-07-2015 08:47AM

I have a 5 year old with cerebral palsy, we have a blue badge but never use it. It's not even in the car.

I'm due another baby in a few weeks, and my husband loves to park as far from the shop as possible so getting baby in and out of the car shouldn't be too much hassle. If it is, hopefully there's some P & C spaces available!

ceadaoin. · 14-07-2015 09:31AM

fleet_admiral wrote: »

Im actually surprised they arent 'Mother and Child' spaces

The ones in The Square in Tallaght do say 'mother and child' and 'mother and baby'. Very sexist!

14-07-2015 10:17AM

Whats needed are some extra wide spaces (not near the door or anything) for people who give a s*it about their cars and don't want them destroyed by idiots who cant open a door without putting large dents in the car beside them.

As for parent and child spaces I do think its the shops thinking about the money in their pocket rather than any great desire to help parents with kids but I dont really park in them except on occasion when I have my very elderly grandmother with me who isn't very steady on her feet. I would park in a disabled spot but she was too proud to apply for a blue badge (even though she would get it) and of course without one I'd be clamped and called a wan*er, though we have chanced it a few times (so not everyone without a badge is being a pr*ck).

I dare anyone to say a word to me for parking in a P&C spot though they will be told to f*ck so far off that they wont know what hit them.

Sunny Dayz · 14-07-2015 10:26AM

Dubl07 wrote: »

Why do so few parents these days use reins for their very young children? That would solve one problem.

I used to have one for my son, the amount of people who used to make smart comments about it saying I was bringing my son out on a lead or a leash, brining him out for a walk like a dog. Made me very self conscious as a young mum. Himself didn't mind it too much, he tried to make an effort to pull me along with it instead!! When he got too big for it, it was great to threaten him with when he wouldn't hold my hand or stay close to me in town - threaten to put it on him, not hit him with it!!

ceadaoin. · 14-07-2015 10:34AM

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

I used to have one for my son, the amount of people who used to make smart comments about it saying I was bringing my son out on a lead or a leash, brining him out for a walk like a dog. Made me very self conscious as a young mum. Himself didn't mind it too much, he tried to make an effort to pull me along with it instead!! When he got too big for it, it was great to threaten him with when he wouldn't hold my hand or stay close to me in town - threaten to put it on him, not hit him with it!!

I used to have a little backpack for my daughter that had a rein on it. I used it a couple of times and experienced the same attitude as you, people commenting about her having a 'leash' etc. it doesn't seem to be socially acceptable nowadays to use them!

Parent and Child Spaces

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