Shoppers at major UK supermarkets, including Tesco, Aldi, Asda, Sainsbury's, and Morrisons, are increasingly choosing to stop using parent and child parking bays. This trend has emerged as more individuals disregard the recommended age limits for these designated spaces.

On social media platform Reddit, users shared their experiences and reasoning behind this decision. One commenter stated, "We stopped using them when our children no longer had to be fastened into their car seats by an adult. The entire point to us was the ability to open the door wide enough that we could lean in and fasten them."

Another user echoed this sentiment, suggesting that once children are capable of buckling themselves in, the need for extra space diminishes. They remarked, "When the kid stops needing a car seat, they don’t need the extra room for a parent to stand at an open door to help belt them in if they can sit themselves or belt themselves into a booster."

A third commenter noted the legal requirements for car seats in the UK, stating, "Car seats are required up until a child is age 12 or 135cm tall here in the UK (whichever comes first), but my 6-year-old can suitably buckle himself in. I would expect all kids could by at least 7 then I think that's the latest cut off."

This user also highlighted the importance of prioritising these spaces for those with younger children, saying, "Given there are few spaces for parents with young children, my own view is you stop using them as soon as you don't need them so you are prioritising them for people with babies and toddlers that can't climb in and out."

The issue of misuse of parent and child bays has been raised, with some shoppers expressing frustration over healthy individuals parking in these spaces without children. One user commented, "I would say some 95% of the visits we make we see at least one parent and child bay being used by young healthy people without children. The Blue Badge bays are directly opposite the parent and child bays, so it's very easy to see who is abusing them."

Supermarkets have varying rules regarding the use of parent and child parking spaces. Generally, customers are expected to be accompanied by a child aged 12 or under to park in these designated areas. If someone parks in a parent and child space without a child, they may be asked to move their vehicle or face a potential fine.

As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how supermarkets will respond to the growing concerns over the misuse of these parking spaces.