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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think small children shouldn't take up Tube seats?

308 replies

MrsRupertCampbellBlack · 04/03/2015 16:17

genuinely interested as I'm currently six months pregnant with my first child and I know this is going to be me in a couple of years!

But I keep seeing mums at rush hour on really busy Tubes sitting with a small child next to them taking up another seat. Surely the nicer/politer/more sensible thing to do would be for the mum to have the child on her lap and free up a seat for someone else?

OP posts:

DuchessofCuntbridge · 04/03/2015 17:32

YANBU. I get quite irritated when I see kids on seats next to parents and then older or pregnant people standing. But such is the way in London...

BinToHellAndBack · 04/03/2015 17:51

I don't think not paying is a reason to not get a seat in and of itself. I'm not sure about the tube, but OAPs are entitled to free bus travel most would agree they should sit, regardless of the fact they boarded for free!

And paying for a ticket doesn't entitle you to a seat anyway, just a journey.

That said, I do sit my toddler on my lap to free up seats. I can't fit baby AND toddler on my lap though, so if there's no space for the pushchair and I need to take the baby out, toddler will need his own seat.

expatinscotland · 04/03/2015 17:54

I wouldn't let my children stand for any adult, either.

SarfEasticatedMumma · 04/03/2015 17:58

Not even a tired looking old person expat? If my dd was in a seat and I was standing I would get her to stand with me so an elderly person could sit down.

Enough27 · 04/03/2015 18:00

I used to make mine sit on my knee till they were 7ish. No way should a small child sit in a seat when they could sit on your lap. So selfish.

expatinscotland · 04/03/2015 18:05

Nope. I'll stand up, but not them. It's unsafe until they are quite old. I've already lost one, I do everything in my power to try to make sure another doesn't die. I'd rather be the one to fly through a window if the bus has to brake. I've had my shot at life. They haven't.

Artandco · 04/03/2015 18:07

Mince - 0-12 years travel free in London. A 11 year old wouldn't fit comfortably on many laps!

bangheadonwall · 04/03/2015 18:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MonoNoAware · 04/03/2015 18:25

My children are well trained to open doors for grown ups, let them go first on escalators etc, etc, but as 4 and 6 year old infrequent tube travellers, if there's an available seat I want them sitting safety on it! (Obvious disclaimer about relinquishing it to people who might need it more than them, if asked/apparent)

DancingDays · 04/03/2015 18:42

DD1 would still be fine on my knee at nearly 8, DD2 5 would give me a dead leg, shes so bony her bums non existent.

DD2 would find it difficult to stand on the tube as she's Dyspraxic. DD1 would be stood fast in a storm, nothing would move her. So DD2 needs a seat, DD2 would be fine in any situation.

Age isn't a good gauge of if they should be on knee, own seat or stood.

meglet · 04/03/2015 18:45

yes, I'll happily stand for another adult or child to have my seat. but the dc's are too wobbly and prone to falling into falling over to stand up. safer for them to sit.

MrsBungle · 04/03/2015 18:53

If the tube is busy I don't sit, I stand next to dd and let her sit. Many kind people have offered 5 yo dd a seat when it's been busy. It's very difficult for children to hold on with all the lurching.

mayfridaycomequickly · 04/03/2015 18:59

I travelled home on the metro today at rush hour because that's when I finished work. I picked ds (just turned 3) up from nursery then rushed to the station. It was packed and I had to stand up carrying him until a lovely young lad stood to let us sit down (ds on my lap)

I could have cried, I was so grateful.

Wobbling about carrying a small, heavy child is no bloody fun - no sane person would choose to travel at that time if they didn't have to

Joyfulldeathsquad · 04/03/2015 19:04

It genuinely doesn't bother me at all.

PilchardPrincess · 04/03/2015 19:08

On the lines I travel on it is usual for people to give seats up for children, not the other way around. Moreso even than for older people / pregnant people TBH.

I can't stand to see a kid trying to hang on / get squashed etc. It's dangerous and often scary for them.

TiggieBoo · 04/03/2015 19:23

Yabu, children have just as much of a right to sit down as adults. I find that a lot of people on the tube would give up their seat to a child. Because most people are reasonable and understand that it's not nice to be 4ft tall and squashed by adults.

littleducks · 04/03/2015 19:24

s a regular daily commuter (and a parent) I wonder at why some parents feel it necessary to travel in the rush hour with small children, it is not pleasant for the children or the rest of the travelling public, when they get vocal and disruptive.
During school holidays etc surely it is better and cheaper to travel off peak?

For all the reasons given about getting to child care while parents work, appointments at Big London hospitals etc.

And as tfl days peak times is 06.30-09.30 and 16.00-19.00 (although on the lines I use I would say rush starts later in morning) there isn't much time left in between for a day out of you are just going to the zoo or museum in the holidays.

crazylady12 · 04/03/2015 19:32

I wouldn't make my daughter stand up for anyone she's 5(I would stand if needed) I will also offer my seat to a child over an adult unless they were elderly.

TwoOddSocks · 04/03/2015 19:33

I usually just let my kid sit and stand myself as it's easier. I reason that the reason I don't have to buy him a ticket is that we'd be taking up only one seat between us if it's busy.

AnnieMoor · 04/03/2015 19:34

I think small children should be seated, either on a seat or a lap.

Even my 12 year old, who is very slight, has a job to keep his balance on a crowded tube.

ArcheryAnnie · 04/03/2015 19:37

If there are not enough seats, I think small children should sit on their parents' laps. If the parent wants the child to sit down on a seat to him/herself, then the parent can stand.

AntiHop · 04/03/2015 21:44

As a regular daily commuter (and a parent) I wonder at why some parents feel it necessary to travel in the rush hour with small children, it is not pleasant for the children or the rest of the travelling public, when they get vocal and disruptive. During school holidays etc surely it is better and cheaper to travel off peak?*

veryagedparent i strongly disagree with you. Do you have a car by any chance? I don't so I take my dd on public transport a lot. I travelled home in the rush hour on the train today. I have as much right to be on public transport as you do. Attitudes like yours pressure more people to use cars instead of public transport.

SocksRock · 04/03/2015 21:59

I travel with 3 children. Can't get them all on my lap, so smallest sits on my lap and the other two share a seat, they wouldn't be safe standing up and I can't hang onto all of them at the same time. Sorry, but I wouldn't make them stand for an adult as they simply wouldn't be able to hold on when the train jolts.

SocksRock · 04/03/2015 21:59

mickeyfartpants · 04/03/2015 22:06

DS sits, I stand. He is too big for my lap now but before he was in a push chair so I was... EEEK! Taking up precious aisle space too!

I always give up my seat for a little one. Its very hard for them to balance especially on the rather bouncy central line. I have even said to other obviously able bodied people (judging by the way they speedily and agilely race mothers and children to the last seat) "perhaps you could let the little girl/boy sit down for a bit?" and no one has ever refused.

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