Should supermarkets have special parking for those with children or are expecting?

Law Man

Absolutely not. This just encourages teenage girls to get pregnant so they can park closer to the supermarket.

Mu1

A lot of people do NOT have a choice as to whether they bring their kids shopping with them - what are they supposed to do, leave them home alone? Just because a person CHOOSES not to have children does NOT make them a "considerate and gracious shopper"!

Mrs Bewick

Until I had a child I felt like you about children's parking spaces but I assure you I now realise just how essential they are. The bays are extra wide allowing the car door to be fully opened to fit seat belts to kids. THey are close to the door and usually don't require crossing traffic to get into the shop.

People without children are contributing nothing to the future of society. If we all had no children who would look after us when we are elderly. It would be pretty crappy if the population were all over 70 eh.

Anyhow, bear in mind: that child you so resent may grow up to discover the cure to the disease that may otherwise kill you. You never know...

ianhad

They need to be able to open the doors completely, most gaps are too narrow for this.

roger.williams20@btinternet.com

The majority in our area do have parking available.

Lela A

Some specialized stores do have special parking areas for pregnant women..such as 'children's stores'..why not..it is usually only one or two spaces that are available considering that handicapped spaces can be up to 12 spaces for one store.

Dingle-Dongle

So your saying that just because I have children I am not a considerate or gracious shopper? How do you come to that conclusion? I spend probably 3 x the amount you do each week and so am, in the eyes of that supermarket, more considerate than you.

The spaces for people with young children are there so that there is more room to open your door fully and get your child in and out of the car without scratching your doors. You should be thankful. My daughter opens her door without thinking that the door could hit the car next to us and why should she? She's a child.

Get over yourself, if you dont want kids then so be it.

No I am not paranoid - its the way you have worded your question. Why should you be rewarded for not having kids? What have you contributed to the world? Dont bother saying tax or anything like that because I work full time too and pay my taxes.

People like you make me so mad. Just because you dont want children, you assume the world is out to get you.

dparmbruster@sbcglobal.net

This country is not over populated, and just because someone is expecting or has children does not make them inconsiderate or non-gracious shoppers.

Nonetheless, to answer your question: There is no requirement for stores to have "Expecting" parking, or spots reserved for parents with small children. Rather these spots are reserved as a PR thing. Most people look favorably on this kind of thing and the stores know it.

Now if this was a requirement by state or federal law, then I would be up in arms as well. I would agree the stores should not have to accommodate you based on your personal choices.

LORI

No they shouldn't do that. Noone actually does that- do they? Thats ridiculous.

Its not going to kill a kid to walk an extra fifty feet, they probably need the exercise anyway half the kids I see are overweight. If parents can't keep their children safe on the way from car to store they can put them in the cart or leave them at home. Or just shop at times when the parking lot will be empty.

That being said, the other idea about making a special 'no children' sections of the supermarket is equally ridiculous.

scuppo

I think they are a good idea, have you tried to get a baby out of a car in a carrying car seat when you cannot open the door enough?? or dont complain when the kid opens the car door and smashes it against your car.

BTW I have two children, own my own house and have never claimed benefits, not everyone has children to get free rent on a council house, and benefits.

Is that a good enough reaction for you???

drawnek

because people with children have more mouths to feed, and therefore buy more food.more food sold equals more profit to the supermarket, so it makes more financial sense for the supermarket to look after these people more than the rest of us.

nan's bread

I say perhaps you should shop when children are asleep if it upsets you so much,most supermarkets are open 24/7.Its not easy manoeuvring young children through supermarket traffic.Its about safety and not about single peoples housing needs.

Alex,takes no Prisoners!

Is this about our social system or parking, im confused somewhat.

mrscasti

Parking lots are private property, so I believe the store should be able to do what they want with the spaces. I have never seen a store with more than maybe 2 to 3 spaces for mothers with small children. If it bothers you that much, shop elsewhere. They often have special parking for the Employee of the Month or managment personnel as well. Restaurants have special parking for To Go orders, although the restaurant loses revenue from their failure to purchase drinks (which have a huge profit margin) and perhaps dessert. People who call in orders can generally walk as well as I can. Just not a big deal to me. There are plenty of other close parking spaces, although I never seem to get them! :-)

Sue J

If you had children you would understand that you sometime need eyes in the back of your head to keep an eye on them, especially where cars are coming and going and outside a supermarket can be very busy so a spot along the side where you do not need to cross a road is a godsend.
Ours are grown up now, and it's grandchildren we take out. But when we don't have them with us, then we park further away. It is no bother to walk those few extra yards, and haven't ever really thought about it till we read your question.
If you choose not to have children, then that was your choice, but if you are working then why would you need to be on a housing list anyway. Rent a place privately or buy a place. If you are on benefits, why are you? Get a job and rely on no one then you would have nothing to complain about.

Well Now What

In the Deep South
.
There use to be
.
But now a days those close to the door parking places are kind of like that
.
$5.00 bill left on the parking space in the parking lot
.
Every one drives around to find one close to the door
.

Alex

Supermarkets are cheap. Shop cheap, accept cheap.

In truth, supermarkets only exist because people prefer to use them, and are willing to put up with the inconvenience of searching around the shelves themselves, carrying all their stuff to the checkout queue, packing their purchases, and then taking it back to a car park that is large enough to take as many cars as possible.

Even so, the supermarkets could provide low paid staff who would pack your shopping and carry it out to your car, but, the days of service for shoppers, has long gone.

Perhaps this has something to do with shopping being regarded as a new leisure industry, and many choose to see it that way?

We could (but probably will not) demand better service for everyone.

debra p

where do you live? We have them here.

ellegee3012

DEFINATELY.
YES...!!

wizjp

Marketing is a science. If it tells them that said lots will increase business without ticking off the rest of us, so be it.

I don't even pay attention to the markers anymore; I just avoid them no matter why thery are there.

Ruth S

LOL!!! At Supermarkets!!!!! Yeah right! Heh! nobody gave up a parking place for me or my kids! NOR did I ask for one just because I was in the reproductive age of my life!!! What these supermarkets SHOULD do, is to tell these guys to control their kids when INSIDE the store! I saw one room Giant had in their store - a room (hopefully padded and sound proof) where you could leave your kids to play while you did your shopping! It would be more beneficial to the mother and the child than having a parking space closer to the store itself! She wouldn't have to be distracted by her little angel screaming his head off cos Mommy wouldn't buy him whatever he wanted! AND cutting her actual time in the store by half! Walking never hurt a pregnant woman and the kids are capable off outwalking a marathon!!!

Tesco's already do provide this parking.(UK)

puddler5

The disabled parking is a legislative requirement and is normally agreed to at the planning stages of a development specific parking for customers with children / & or expectant Mothers is a decision of the complex management . It seems to me to take the process too far what about aged persons ,people with domestic pets in the vehicle in any event it will be very difficult for the management to monitor or enforce these proposals and it relies on the goodwill of the car park users . The more children you have the greater the spend on day to day consumables so management may be attempting to make it easier for them and were not specifically trying to discriminate against those who choose not to have children .Perhaps with more people choosing to shop on line we will be able to park at the front door anytime soon

honi_b83

think about this from the shop's vew..the more children in the store the more profit...how many times have you seen a kid take a tantrum in a shop and the parent gives in and buys it for them...item not wanted by the parent is bought!! = profit..
these parking spaces are generally wider and so easier to unload/load kids into their seats...ever trued to get a baby seat into the back of the car with 6/8 inches to open the door cos the person beside you has gone over the line??!!! its blo*dy tough!! lol

i do agree with the whole social benifits thing to a point..i agree that families should get help from the government...i disagree with the thousands of parents that abuse the system! eg claiming single parent when both are living in the same house - this is a huge gripe i have!!

and supermarkets do have parking space for these people...its right at the back of the carpark..right beside the trolley park...where people seem to stand 50ft away from and push the trolley in the general direct of the trolley park...only to miss and leave a hughe scratch on the side of your car!!!! lmao!!

I know it *ucks me off

I have been on the housing waiting list for 3 years now, but my cousin got a house in 3months she is in the exact situations as me only difference is she has a child

CHRIS W

Special spaces as far from the entrance as possible for Gas Guzzling 4x4s is the answer

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