In finding it hard to believe people let their young kids take up seats on trains when adults are standing

[gatorgolf]

Never get the train anymore, first time today in about 10 yrs got train to take DS to London. Train home was really really busy people standing in all the aisles as well as the doorways. We sat DS who is 5 on our knee as I thought that was the done thing when train busy. Family near us had two kids, one about the same age as DS, one slightly older maybe 6 or 7, kids had a seat each for the entire journey. I know its not comfortable to have kids on your knee for long time but its more comfortable than having to stand, there was 4 adults in there party so they could have taken the knee sitting in turns or even made the kids squeeze onto one seat to free one up.

Gileswithachainsaw - you're absolutely right.

But you do know that, apparently, as we only pay half fare for our children, that this means they aren't entitled to a seat? Maybe it's in the T's & C's somewhere.

Learn something new every day, I had no idea!

It isn't about 'stuff anyone else I'm alright Jack'. A child on a train or bus is in more need of a swat than a healthy adult, not less.

Yes, I would expect my children to listen to an adult.who told them they were doing something dangerous . That is because I expect them to listen politely those who speak politely to them.

I wouldn't expect them to stand up when an adult enters the room (what pointless deference and what a lovely way to tell a child where they sit in the hierarchy ).

I believe in manners and consideration to others. I believe in politeness and empathy. I don't believe in automatic deference to an adult because they are one. Deference to the greater experience of someone advising you. Respect where it is earned or appropriate.

*seat obviously. Autocorrect not over the hack!

LibrariesGaveUsP0wer - very true

I don't care if someone's paid for their child's seat or not. their need isn't less because they are free.

any able bodied adult who sits there watching a small child struggle to hold on or get hit with back packs or knocked by adults who can't see them.is a dick head. plain and simple.

But you do know that, apparently, as we only pay half fare for our children, that this means they aren't entitled to a seat? Maybe it's in the T's & C's somewhere.

It is. "Children travelling at reduced fare do so providing they do not occupy a seat when an adult is standing".

Easy way round it - everyone on the bus pays full fare. I'd be happy with that.

I agree libraries I've seen several badly behaved yelling children on trains that needed a swat!!

I can only find info on kids under 5, free tickets, therefore not entitled to a seat. You can buy and reserve a reduced rate ticket for your under 5 year old so they don't have to give up their seat.

But generally, if there are no seats, I will give up my full fare ticket seat allocation to my little one, so they don't get trodden on or fall over in the aisle.

Oh and 9 times out if 10 when my dd2 has been offered a seat it isn't from this generation of adults supposedly brought up to have manners

It's high school students.

Add message | Report | Message poster PaulAnkaTheDog Fri 28-Aug-15 23:02:00
I didn't make my son(9) move for an adult today. I suffer from arthritis, so he can't sit on my knee. He has a sprained ankle at the moment, so needed to sit. Is there a problem with that?

Replies like this are the problem with this website. How fucking ridiculous.

But carrie would you give up your full fare seat so that someone else's toddler could sit down?

Two wrongs - if a toddler, they can sit on a parents lap. But yes, I have done many times on the tube - e.g where a mother has to stand by a parked buggy and her child is wobbling around on a pole. What sort of selfish person would I be not to (Given I am.adult and healthy )

I would and have done two twowrongs

as Pp just said if the mums already stood and is trying to hold herself a buggy and a child it's a no brainer.

My full fare seat would have my DC on it

If I were travelling on my own, I couldn't see a toddler standing, so I'd give up my seat.

I have been in a situation where on a very crowded bus with no room at all to move about, and a kind lady offered to have my then toddler on her lap, which was fine by me as I was next to her anyway. This saved me holding on to her and falling over.

My kids are more important than you. Simples.

I hate to break it to you, NotSoDesperateHousewife, but they're really really not; nobody gives a crap about your kids except you. They're especially not more important than a standing adult when they haven't paid for a seat. You sound like a dreadful indulgent parent.

First come first served. I am capable of standing. Would never expect a seat from a child. Ridiculous theory.

Well if I saw you turfing your 4 yr old out a seat id not be thinking " oh what wonderful manners she's instilling"

id think you were a selfish thoughtless cow who cared more about a strangers perception of her than a her small child's safety.

When old enough to stand safely I would expect my kids to do so for pregnant women, the elderly, the infirm, small children. Just as I would myself.

Not thinking an adult has automatically greater rights than a child doesn't mean that you are raising a selfish child. Just that you don't think adults are automatically more important than children.

I think it goes on need.

When dd was younger like maybe 5 or 6 an adult stood for her on the tube as was getting squished my a mass of adults when she barely came up to their waist.

As a teenager now I wouldn't expect her to stand for a healthy adult. But if it was someone who looked infirm, or elderly or even just knackered with heavy bags then yes I will nudge her to stand if she hasn't already stood herself. And Id expect her to give up her seat before I give up mine.

Oh my had I assumed you'd already be standing fir someone else more needy before you turned to your child.

It's not always possible to sit them on your lap and with two small children it's two seats regardless if who's on a lap and who's sitting.

I find it hard to believe that on an entire bus or train not one person is fit and well enough that it falls to whichever child who can't be sat on a lap to give up their seat.

A pity it is not done like planes. Under 2s go free and are not allocated a seat. Once they are 2 yrs they get a seat and pay.

Also there is zero difference between mum standing and kid on seat or mum with kid on lap. still takes up a seat yet one is apparently acceptable and the other isn't. [confused
if the mums happy to stand then why isnt that enough for people. They want the kids seat aswell

I don't understand why so many are stating that the op is insinuating that 'adults are more important than children'. This is not the case, however I always get my bigger children to share a seat and put the smallest on my knee if others need a seat, that way everyone gets a seat - common sense surely This is not prioritising adults over children, it is basic manners. My eldest doesn't particularly enjoy this (she has ASD) but I find it important to teach the children to have consideration for others. Of course some adults/children with ASD and other disabilities just couldn't do this which is fine!!!! However just because I DO do it does not mean I am prioritising random adults over my own children