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You told us: Parents don’t deserve special treatment or privileges

Last Wednesday, Breakfast Television Edmonton sparked controversy when they posted the following on their Facebook page:

While it turned out to be an April Fool’s Day joke – the varied responses still caught our eye – and so we wanted to see what Yahoo Canada users think. Do parents deserve special treatment or privileges like premium parking spots?

The overwhelming response? Not at all.

My children, 15 months apart in age, went everywhere with me until they started school. I had good sized pram to start then upgraded to a double stroller. When we wanted to go anywhere that required walking, the stroller got hauled out of the car and off we went. Never gave a thought to 'Parents with Children' parking spots. Any parent who whines and complains the way some of these posters do, should have thought twice about having children. Why? Because if you can't handle a little walk with your kids due to a parking spot not available at the mall front door, you will never be able to handle the real issues of parenting,” writes user Thefixitchick.

“Absolutely not,” agrees user M. “When did pregnant women and new parents become too lazy to walk? My husband and I both have handicapped stickers and if there is not an available spot when we are out we do not hesitate to park in a ‘Mothers with Children’ spot.”

“I'm a senior with a sore back...walking is slow and painful...but not "handicapped". I'd like to park close to store entrances. Most handicapped dedicated stalls remain empty,” adds Alphamel. “Privileges for parents seems excessive to me. They are not disabled.”


“No, I managed with my babies way before there were special parking spaces for parents,” writes Suzanne Perrot. “Why aren't there special spots for senior citizens? Why should older folks have to walk longer to get to the store when it's freezing cold or raining?

But some users did say that parents definitely deserve benefits, like closer parking spots and more freedom to breastfeed in public places – and some were quick to point out that it’s not just the closeness of parking.


“Most of the parents’ parking spots are slightly wider than normal car parks. When you have a newborn, you need to open the door really wide to get the car seat out. I have had to have a store clerk watch my baby while I backed my car out because I was in such a tight spot when I returned to my car,” writes Frankie. “Even getting a toddler out of a car seat the door to be opened wide as well as you have to lift them out of it to the ground.

“As a young mother I used to haul around a stroller for my young children. Taking it in and out of the car was a chore. One child was in the stroller the other walked,” writes Laurene. “Young toddlers tire very quickly and if you want to shop you need a carrier for the children. It is safer to have a spot to park that is more convenient.

A few users even brought up some potential solutions, such as combining parking spots for new or expectant mothers with spots for those with disabilities.

Since parking spots for the disabled are more sought after for obvious reasons, the signs for mothers with children should be shared with the disabled if in fact they are empty and no disabled spots are available,” suggests user SoSayI.

Which of our users do you agree with? Let us know in the comments.