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Parking spots for Mothers or parents with small children

A

am1

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What should be the standard for this? Should there be parking for just mothers with small children or should it be parents of small children? Should it be based on the location? For example at bass pro shops just fathers with small children and at a beauty salon mothers with small children? Or just the color scheme to tie into the location? Or neutral colours?

For me I think it should be for parents of small children and the colours to tie into the location. Why do big companies not feel the same as me. Insulting half your customer base is not a good way to stay in business. Parking for mothers at some places and others for just fathers at others just opens up too many issues.
 
My vote is for not having them at all - legitimate medical needs are already covered by handicap parking & temporary hang tags. Having kids isn't a disability nor does it require special parking, plus then there's no risk of alienating/insulting anyone (as you mention)
 
We are mobility challenged, and REALLY appreciate the handicap parking spaces nearer the business doors, and I see the occasional 'stork space' for pregnant women, but if designated preferred parking for people with children, how do you police it? Have someone checking kid's ID's or have a bar at the door with a sign (You Must be Under 2 feet tall or your parents have to park in Siberia) and an attendant to enforce it. Having children at stores is NOT something that should entitle people for special treatment.

I think stores should have covered parking so people who bring their pets shopping and have to leave them in cars should have a shaded parking space. Maybe pay a bit extra and run an air conditioning hose into the car, too. (Tongue firmly in cheek)

Next?

Jim
 
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A couple of our local grocery stores have spots for expectant mothers or anyone with a small child. There are also the legally required handicapped spots, which are closer to the store entrances.

As someone who has been an expectant mother and taken babies and small children to the grocery store, I think these spots are a very nice idea. Being pregnant is exhausting, carrying a baby or holding on to a small child in a parking lot can be difficult and worrisome. If it helps a pregnant woman feel better or if it keeps a baby or small child safer, what's the harm? I'm sure people sometimes abuse the spots, but they tend to be unoccupied when we go to the store. I've never heard of any kind of confrontations over unfair use of these spots.
 
am1 said:
What should be the standard for this? Should there be parking for just mothers with small children or should it be parents of small children? Should it be based on the location? For example at bass pro shops just fathers with small children and at a beauty salon mothers with small children? Or just the color scheme to tie into the location? Or neutral colours?

For me I think it should be for parents of small children and the colours to tie into the location. Why do big companies not feel the same as me. Insulting half your customer base is not a good way to stay in business. Parking for mothers at some places and others for just fathers at others just opens up too many issues.
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Where are you seeing reserved spots for just women or just men? In California, I have (rarely) seen spots in front of baby stores, or OBGYN's for pregnant women, and that's it. Since those spots are not regulated by law, it's probably not even enforceable.

Why do big companies not feel the same as me.
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Now this doesn't surprise me at all since lots of Tuggers seem to disagree with you on a regular basis... :D
 
DeniseM said:
Where are you seeing reserved spots for just women or just men? In California, I have (rarely) seen spots in front of baby stores, or OBGYN's for pregnant women, and that's it. Since those spots are not regulated by law, it's probably not even enforceable.

Now this doesn't surprise me at all since lots of Tuggers seem to disagree with you on a regular basis... :D
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Spots are reserved for women with small children. Other places have them for parents with small children. To the poster above it is a real thing (where have been living) and unless there is a security guard that needs to move a cone it is unregulated. Maybe policied by other customers. I have not seen any for just men with small children.

Denise so you agree that companies should discriminate against all fathers with small children? Seems like based on your last comment. How can the powers at be at these places think that is okay?
 
In my life, I have probably seen 5 spots reserved for pregnant women, so I can't imagine how this is a big issue???

There are so many huge, critical issues in the world right now - this seems extremely minor.
 
Kohl's in Sarasota, FL has several parking spaces reserved for senior citizens. I love it!
 
DeniseM said:
In my life, I have probably seen 5 spots reserved for pregnant women, so I can't imagine how this is a big issue???

There are so many huge, critical issues in the world right now - this seems extremely minor.
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Your right not as big as issue as others. I doubt anyone would have an issue with spots for pregnant women but if it is going to be for pregnant women and mothers with small children why not make it pregnant women and parents with small children. My guest is eventually they will be changed over to what I think unless it is mostly women who visit said location.

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada...ys-to-change-mothers-only-parking-policy.html
 
If the question is, should the spots be designated for "parents" with small children vs "women" with small children, I agree. It is just as cumbersome for a father to get little ones out of the car and in to a store as it is for a mother.
Actually, it is worse for grandparents. I fumble with the car seats.
My daughter has 2 little ones, ages 4 and 1, and she appreciates when there is designated parking for them. The spots are closer to the store and with one in the stroller and one holding her hand, the less distance she has to walk in a parking lot, the safer it is.
 
I just refuse to get worked up about what I think of as petty issues. It seems for the last several years, so many people just LOOK for reasons to get offended. I really do not care how owners of private property manage their parking lots and for whom spots are reserved (other than for handicapped, per the law).
 
am1 said:
What should be the standard for this? Should there be parking for just mothers with small children or should it be parents of small children? Should it be based on the location? For example at bass pro shops just fathers with small children and at a beauty salon mothers with small children? Or just the color scheme to tie into the location? Or neutral colours?

For me I think it should be for parents of small children and the colours to tie into the location. Why do big companies not feel the same as me. Insulting half your customer base is not a good way to stay in business. Parking for mothers at some places and others for just fathers at others just opens up too many issues.
Click to expand...

There's an old saying: Pick your battles.
 
Around here a lot of grocery stores have them. They are labeled for Customers with small children. As an old fart with no children I think these are great ideas. I have the time and the ability to walk the extra few feet.
 
bluehende said:
Around here a lot of grocery stores have them. They are labeled for Customers with small children. As an old fart with no children I think these are great ideas. I have the time and the ability to walk the extra few feet.
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That's nice, but do you really need a sign to tell you to do so?
 
am1 said:
Your right not as big as issue as others. I doubt anyone would have an issue with spots for pregnant women but if it is going to be for pregnant women and mothers with small children why not make it pregnant women and parents with small children. My guest is eventually they will be changed over to what I think unless it is mostly women who visit said location.

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada...ys-to-change-mothers-only-parking-policy.html
Click to expand...

You think using mothers vs parents is discriminatory toward fathers but don't think anyone would have an issue with spots for pregnant women? Those are even more discriminatory toward men, lol! Your stance seems slightly ambiguous ;)

Out of curiosity, where do you see so many of these spots? I'm in TN & they're as rare here as Denise mentioned they are in CA. I noticed the article linked is out of Canada so maybe it's more common internationally.
 
I am a grandmother who frequently takes three young grandchildren places and I could surely use one of those spaces.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
ssreward said:
You think using mothers vs parents is discriminatory toward fathers but don't think anyone would have an issue with spots for pregnant women? Those are even more discriminatory toward men, lol! Your stance seems slightly ambiguous ;)

Out of curiosity, where do you see so many of these spots? I'm in TN & they're as rare here as Denise mentioned they are in CA. I noticed the article linked is out of Canada so maybe it's more common internationally.
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If a man was pregnant then I would be okay with him using a spot strictly for people that are pregnant. Do you think pregnant women should not have special spots for them?

Not really a battle but a perspective and question.

I just do not see how in 2017 companies can still be so out of touch. This is just one example of that.
 
am1 said:
If a man was pregnant then I would be okay with him using a spot strictly for people that are pregnant. Do you think pregnant women should not have special spots for them?

Not really a battle but a perspective and question.

I just do not see how in 2017 companies can still be so out of touch. This is just one example of that.
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I agree, it's always interesting to hear others perspectives! You are correct - I do not think pregnant women should have special spots. If there's an underlying medical issue associated with pregnancy, they will be eligible for a temporary hang tag to park in the legally mandated handicapped spots. Anything more (to me) seems like we then also need special spots for pets, seniors, hangovers/headaches, or just plain "lazy & don't feel like walking" designated as well. As a PP mentioned, it's a slippery slope of "what next?" once you start hand picking groups that may enjoy but certainly do not require the convenience of easier access.
 
Phydeaux said:
That's nice, but do you really need a sign to tell you to do so?
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Around here, the signs- even for reserved handicap spaces are roundly ignored. I can't tell you how many times I've seen big-bellied, self-important, physically able drivers pull into a handicap accessible parking space and go into the business. If confronted, they'll say, "I'm only gonna be a minute."

Maybe there should be some "Just for a minute" spaces?
 
Phydeaux said:
That's nice, but do you really need a sign to tell you to do so?
Click to expand...

:shrug:

Not sure what you are saying. Do you really mean that I should leave unmarked spots close to the store for people with children. That would work well.
 
DeniseM said:
In my life, I have probably seen 5 spots reserved for pregnant women, so I can't imagine how this is a big issue???

There are so many huge, critical issues in the world right now - this seems extremely minor.
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Yeah, I'm with you.

As far as I'm concerned, a pregnant woman gets a handicapped spot if she wants it but I am glad to see spots for pregnant women juggling children (grocery stores near me). As soon as men become pregnant I will support parking spaces for their medical condition. Until then, I don't consider fatherhood to be handicapping and assume they can manage the tots they brought.

Why would we stop at parentage, tho? Would I as an aunt or babysitter not be allowed to park in spots for parents with children?

really overthinking this. if you have a problem with how a company designates spots, take it up with the company. I can't imagine a lot of people up in arms over this. I don't need special parking and therefore don't take it.
 
ssreward said:
You think using mothers vs parents is discriminatory toward fathers but don't think anyone would have an issue with spots for pregnant women? Those are even more discriminatory toward men, lol! Your stance seems slightly ambiguous ;)

Out of curiosity, where do you see so many of these spots? I'm in TN & they're as rare here as Denise mentioned they are in CA. I noticed the article linked is out of Canada so maybe it's more common internationally.
Click to expand...

I live in Western Canada, and these are ubiquitous. Pretty much all grocery stores have them, as well as Lowes, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, the malls, etc.

I think spots for pregnant women are great. I know from experience (my wife's) that the doctor's generally won't sign a handicap placard for pregnant women here "since its only for a short time," which is ridiculous, since the only requirement is being unable to walk a certain distance.

They vary, some are pregant women only, some are pregnant women + mothers with small children, and some are pregnant women + those with small children. I always obey the sign, but as a male who regularly bought groceries with an infant and a <2 year old, being able to park closer to the door was nice, and it definitely annoyed me that I sometimes didn't qualify for that spot solely because of my gender. I still only have two arms, and groceries, a stroller, an infant, and a toddler is a lot to manage for anyone.
 
In some region of Virginia grocery stores liked Kroger, Martin, and Harris Teeter offer this service. I do not feel there is a need because the reserve space are hardly used.
 
I have never seen anything other than handicapped spaces in our area of suburban Los Angeles. And now that my father can barely make it from his chair to the dining room table at home, we realize what a lack of handicapped spaces are available (or how many people need to use them). My parents now never go out to dinner alone, which as late as last year they were doing weekly. They only go when there is a family meal, and we try to go for "linner" around 2 or 3pm to increase the chance that there will be a blue spot open for them.
 
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