"customer with child" parking

Boots&Bows · August 2012

When I went to the grocery store this morning, I noticed there was a front row "customer with child" parking spot available. I considered parking there for a split second but then decided against it since although I'm big and pregnant, I'm still physically able to walk from a further away parking spot.

When I was exiting the store, I noticed a car had just pulled in to that spot. The woman got out with 2 kids, probably 10 and 12ish. I side eyed her in my mind since I would think common courtesy would save those spots for someone with a newborn or a couple squirmy toddlers.

So what are the rules of these parking spots? Would you side eye someone using it with older kids?

FWIW, I generally don't question where people park. For example, if someone parks in a handicap spot and doesn't appear handicapped, I don't think anything of it because I don't know their story.

HRP22 · August 2012

I used one the other day when I went to register at a store. My stamina isn't so great now days, so, I knew if I was going to be walking around a store for an hour +, that I wouldn't want to also walk in the 95 degree day to my car when I was done. I hurt all over at this point, so I have no qualms taking those spots. I didn't park in one about 10 weeks ago when I was still feeling really good. I figured I needed my exercise.

I would side eye someone if they used it and they weren't obviously pregnant or with a new baby.

Manx4 · August 2012

To be "fair" it does say "with child" and she did have two of them.

But I think the unwritten rule is obviously pregnant, with a newborn or toddler.

We only have those spots at the BRU and mall near us though. I've never seen them elsewhere. I would LOVE to actually get them at the mall because I huff & puff these days but 99% of them are taken by people too lazy to walk to the front and are not pregnant. Or with a newborn.

KellersPrag · August 2012

I'm not sure that I would side eye that usage... not everyone is going to be courteous, and she DOES have children! Haha. Some people just take those kinds of spots for what they are, and I'm sure to her, she met the requirements.

I don't think I would park there with older kids, though. But in the same way that you wouldn't question the handicapped not appearing handicapped, maybe one of her kids has something wrong that makes it easier to park closer? I don't know.

ewiedman · August 2012

I completely side eye someone with older children using this spot! They should know better and totally deserve the side eye!

My grocery store has an expectant mom parking that I occasionally use since it's been like 105 everyday here in St. Louis. The other day I was behind a truck that pulled into that spot and out jumps a 30 something year old guy. I wanted to stop my car and say something but I happily found a place in the back of the lot and walked my butt in. Situations like that is when I really get pissed about it.

gingerfamily · August 2012

We have these at my grocery store and they are a godsend! Often times my cart will be full of bags including DD's seat in the front of the cart which means she has to walk and hold onto the cart. It makes it so much easier to do so when we park close. Less distractions.

But, yea... I think I'd sideeye someone with older children.

hmp1 · August 2012

I've never seen these parking spaces. I would think that if your kid doesn't need to hold your hand in the parking lot, or be carried, you don't need to park there.

INmommy871278 · August 2012

We have them at our grocery store here, only the sign says something about expectant mothers and mothers with newborns and toddlers not a general "customer with child" spot. I have yet to use them, but I am getting to the point where it is tempting to because of the severe pain I am getting after being on my feet for longer than 15 minutes.

EGMphoto · August 2012

Would def. side-eye that. They are old enough to know how to walk safely.

I would LOVE if my grocery store had some of those - toddlers in parking lots are terrifying. It is much, much more challenging to take a 2 year old places than babies.

DS is too big for me to carry now while pregnant, and I am always so, so nervous just holding his hand in lots. Ugh. I dread going to the store because of it (among other things like the check-out line with him - awful!) and it's nice that some stores have these spots.

linzeek44 · August 2012

If it says expectant mother parking (like BRU, BBB, and Harris Teeter) then I have no problem parking there. I usually only do when I'm not feeling well or when I have to pee ridiculously badly and the walk is going to be tricky.

If it says customer with child, I don't park there. I'd sorta side eye someone with bigger kids, but whatever.

I definitely side eye you if you are a middle aged man parking in expectant mother parking or if you park in the with children spots when you have no children with you and don't look at all pregnant (I.e., you are a man by himself).

hunter91011 · August 2012

Wouldn't park there with older kids, and I wouldn't park there pregnant with my first either. It does say "with kids" and not "expectant mother". Our mall specifies "expectant mothers and with kids" but if it doesn't specify, I wouldn't take the spot.

Holly_1007 · August 2012

this is probably one of my BIGGEST pet peeves (along with people that pull up in the emergency zone)

I don't have a big filter, and absolutely say something to people who park inappropriately. our sign says "customer with infant" parking, and I've seen people with 8-10 year olds use that spot. and you bet your butt I call them out on it.

tlew12778 · August 2012

Here it's pregnant or with an infant. It clearly says so on the sign.

Ikea has "family" parking which I take to mean as ok with older kids too.

MarisaKathleen · August 2012

I think all of these spots are completely stupid.

polisa21 · August 2012

I use it at the grocery store but only when the only place to park is in the back of the parking lot. It's just too much for me to waddle across concrete in 100 degree weather. But I do give my best stink eye to those using it without kids.

Holly_1007 · August 2012

Steph+J:
holly71087:
this is probably one of my BIGGEST pet peeves (along with people that pull up in the emergency zone)
Yup. TOTALLY the same thing.
oh wait. Not at all.

I didn't say it was the same thing? they are both parking related issues...

sure there is no "law" that a 30 yr old guy can't park in one of these spaces, but its common courtesy and following the guidelines set up by the store.

mrs.kapow · August 2012

They're not legally binding, but I do think it's common courtesy.

I personally think the expectant mother spots are dumb since I could theoretically be knocked up at any point and not be showing.

But the families with infants or small children spots are really, really helpful with a toddler. I always look to see if someone has a carseat and get a little pissy if they don't. I wouldn't say anything because I get that they're not a legal classification, but I think healthy adults should just walk -- pregnant women included.

mrs.kapow · August 2012

Steph+J:
But to think that you're somehow more entitled to that spot than someone else is ridiculous to me. It's absolutely hilarious to me that some of you are so OMG YOU DON'T DESERVE THAT SPOT I"M GOING TO JUDGE YOU.

Agreed.

I do judge people who do not have handicapped tags parking in handicapped spots. If they have tags, I will not judge a seemingly healthy person since there are many unseen health problems.

dmfan897 · August 2012

hmp&mrj:
I've never seen these parking spaces. I would think that if your kid doesn't need to hold your hand in the parking lot, or be carried, you don't need to park there.

Exactly this. We only have them at the mall though and most people seem to be courteous about using them because they are usually empty.

MarisaKathleen · August 2012

mrs.kapow:
Steph+J:

But to think that you're somehow more entitled to that spot than someone else is ridiculous to me. It's absolutely hilarious to me that some of you are so OMG YOU DON'T DESERVE THAT SPOT I"M GOING TO JUDGE YOU.

Agreed.

I do judge people who do not have handicapped tags parking in handicapped spots. If they have tags, I will not judge a seemingly healthy person since there are many unseen health problems.

My Dad had handicapped tags for around 15 years due to all of his health problems and his bad knee replacements and it would drive me crazy when he couldn't find parking close to the store/restaurant/whatever! Whenever I see someone without HC tags or plates parking in the spots, I want to call the police and saddle them with the $500 fine for being an a-hole.

ewiedman · August 2012

TheMcCombies:
Would def. side-eye that. They are old enough to know how to walk safely.
I would LOVE if my grocery store had some of those - toddlers in parking lots are terrifying. It is much, much more challenging to take a 2 year old places than babies.
DS is too big for me to carry now while pregnant, and I am always so, so nervous just holding his hand in lots. Ugh. I dread going to the store because of it (among other things like the check-out line with him - awful!) and it's nice that some stores have these spots.

I agree with everything stated above and well said.

Yes

OSUWifey09 · August 2012

I use the ones at Babies'R'Us lately because it's just too hot to cross a parking lot. But normally, I park further back because I need the exercise. Ikea has what they call family parking, and we park there when we go. I do side-eye people who clearly shouldn't be parked in specially marked parking spaces [non-HC people in HC spots; people with no kids or older kids in the new parent parking], but ah well.

Unem · August 2012

I would side-eye. There is little to no extra work needed to get older children in and out of the car.

juliane2004 · August 2012

Kids under 5 (i.e. if you need a stroller) OR woman who is pregnant = "customer with child".

hmp1 · August 2012

Steph+J:
juliane2004:
Kids under 5 (i.e. if you need a stroller) OR woman who is pregnant = "customer with child".
child = someone under the age of 18. So, really, someone with a teenager is just as well 'allowed'.

I don't care about this debate but I was curious the definition of child when I read this. I'm sure it is different per source but Merriam-Webster's medical definition of "child" says:

Definition of CHILD

1

: an unborn or recently born person

2 : a young person especially between infancy and youth

mrsbhk22 · August 2012

I'm pregnant with #3 and JUST used one of these spots for the first time. I believe it was my choice to be pregnant (either intentionally or by not abstaining which is the only 100% birth control) and I don't want people to treat my pregnancy as a "condition" or "handicap".

When I used the spot, it was crazy raining, the parking lot was PACKED, and I had both kids (in harness car seats) so they take forever to unbuckle (and I looked like a total drowned rat). THAT is when these come in handy. NOT for 10 year olds. Yes, there is nothing illegal about it, but it's just straight lazy to use it (especially if there is only 1) if you just don't feel like walking on any regular day. To me, it's more of a karma thing. I would likely side-eye, but not say anything.

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