Logic behind parent and child parking spaces?

Question

I can understand that parents with prams may need more room at the side of the car to get the baby in and out.
But WHY do parents with children who are able to walk use these spaces?
Surely with the number of overweight children nowadays it would make more sense to have them walking further rather than encouraging their (and their parents) laziness.
Does anyone disagree?

I have obviously hit a nerve with some people. For the record I am not overweight or lazy, and I like kids. I believe it is the adults who are to blame.

Answer 1

Parent and child parking is only meant for babies and toddlers...the people that use it with older children are being lazy and denying new parents the parking spaces...Its the adults that cause their children to be over weight !!

Answer 2

If you'd ever tried to get the shopping into a car, and at the same time get two lively under-4s into their car seats, you'd understand and be more sympathetic. Be thankful that you have two lovely legs to walk to the shop with, and stop picking on parents. Yes, childhood obesity is a problem, but I don't think that the 10meter walk to the supermarket is the solution - it's what the parents buy in the shop that's the problem!

And if you're talking about laziness what about the able bodied people and those without children who park their vehicles in spaces reserved for disabled and parent/child parking? Those are the kind of people you should be having a go at.

Answer 3

At grocery stores these parking spots are usually located near the shopping cart area. As a parent, I find this incredibly helpful and not for the 'lazy' reason. But for the safety reason. After I have loaded my child and items into my vehicle, it is safer to bring the card two feet than over two parking spaces. Don't you remember the story about the mid-west Walmart near-abduction? Someone tried to snatch a child right out of the car while the parent was bringing the cart back. I only use the spot if I know I'm going to be using a cart. Parents with older children should not be using these spots.

Answer 4

I can see where you're coming from. I guess there are two reasons why those spaces are reserved for parents with children.
Firstly, children under the age of about 5 need specialised child seats in the car which are high sided and require you to open the door fully to extract the child.
Secondly, these spaces tend to be closer to the storefront, and therefore there is less risk of a young child being run over between the car and the door of the shop.

So in answer to your question, maybe the spaces should be reserved for parents with children under 5?

I wonder, though, which axe you are grinding? Do you hate children? Wish you had them but don't/can't? Are you too lazy to park further away and jealous of those space users? Are you disabled - if so, get a disabled sticker and use the disabled bays. If not, walk the extra 20 yards and get over it.

One thing is clear: you don't have kids, so before you curse those of us who are blessed (!!!???!!) enough to have a couple of toddlers, take a moment to think about what it must be like to have to take responsibility for someone other than yourself.

Answer 5

These spaces are supposed to help parents who are trying to manage possibly a buggy and other children and also a load of shopping. Nowadays we shop at supermarkets which are not always handy to get to. It is a blessing to have a car which means its easier for people to get everything they need on one trip. It is a nightmare trying to struggle home laden with bags and prams and toddlers either on foot or on public transport. I don't think that taking away these parking spaces would do anything to help the problem of children being overweight. Lack of exercise and a diet of junk food and heaps of it is what needs to be addressed.

Answer 6

I agree with your point but as parent I appreciate the extra space needed for door to opened that bit further, not just for kids getting in and out but also for needing the door opened wide for me to be able to stand and strap the youngest into car seat. Also in the bad weather, it is good having parking handy with the doors and not ending up with 3 drenched children.

My kids are not overweight or unhealthy, but I really do appreciate the chance to park closer.

What does annoy me is the shoppers with NO children that use up the spaces. Now THEY are the lazy ones!

Answer 7

I agree with you to a certain extent. Parents with older children do not need to use these spaces. However, as the mother of a 2 yr old, I find these spaces great. I do not want to attempt to weave my way through rows of parked cars while carrying several bags of shopping and a toddler. he doesnt have any road sense at this age and I think, until he learns this (we are teaching him), the closer I can park to the door of the shop, the better.

Answer 8

. Yea i do. Children are unpredictible at the best of times. If 5 yr old opened the door and it dented yours, you'd wished i'd parked in the mother & child bay. Also if you have more than one child, it is impossible to get both children out at the same time, so the practice is, to get the older one out first who can stand next to the car whilst you get the other out.
Does you opinion stretch to the disabled bay? Don't tell me you've never parked in a disabled bay when you needed to pop in somewhere quickly? . Maybe if the disabled people don't use wheel chairs, maybe they should park further away too. Surely it would make more sense to have them walking further rather than encouraging their laziness?!!?!!?!!

Answer 9

I completely disagree. Have you walked through many parking lots lately? People drive like maniacs. Have you ever walked through with a child? They try to run ahead of parents sometimes, or cars backing out or spaces don't see little ones. I agree there is laziness epidemic but in parking lots, at least for me, it's a safety issue.

Answer 10

No. Do you actually have children? I suspect not. In which case, you will have never tried carrying a heavy load of shopping and - at the same time - ensuring your kids don't get run over in a busy supermarket car park. I'm sure it annoys a few (childless) people but it does make sense.