Woman on bus got people to move for her toddler

[questioning1]

Not sure whether AIBU or not. Was on the rush hour bus this morning (in London) sitting on one of those raised high up seats at the very front of the bus.

A lady with a baby in a pram and a toddler (maybe 3?) got on the bus. She walked down the aisle past me and parked her pram, and said to the bus at large, 'Can someone move for my son please?'

I was always brought up to think that children make room for adults - for example they give up a seat for someone, not the other way round. Anyway a few mins later I turned around again and the woman was sitting in a priority seat with her son on her lap!

AIBU to think that 1) she shouldn't have asked for a seat for her son and 2) she shouldn't have sat in a priority seat herself once it had been vacated?

She then got off two stops later! I'm genuinely not sure if it's just me or not.

I've never understood anybody who sits in the priority seats when the bus is half empty, even people who are included in the priority list if there are other accessible seats available. I never did sit in priority seats unless it was the last seat and then I made sure I paid close attention to new passengers looking for a seat, I expected to get up for somebody. When I was on the priority list and there were plenty of non priority seats I could use I sat in those first, it left the priority seat free for others. Yet the number of time I got on the bus with a buggy, being the third bus stop from the depo, there was often only two people on the bus, sitting in the only two seats that were by the buggy spaced, WTF. They could have picked any seat, they had passed the other priority seats and headed to the only ones I could use. Always the entitled snowflake older generation.

I’d be with you for an older child, but one that’s still a bit wobbly, no. I think by the time they’re 6 or so, definitely should other way round - standing up for an adult.

I'd have given her my seat and the toddler. It's just basic human manners. She may well have been pregnant for all you know and needed the priority seat.
I'm 3 months pregnant and about to go on the bus with a baby and toddler. I do hope people will be kind enough to me

Bit of an outdated concept to allow adults to have the seat. Elderly people yes. I think she was well within her rights to ask for a seat, she was thinking about the safety of her children. Not only that but I imagine it's exhausting having two little ones, she deserves to sit down.

On the tram this morning a woman got on with 2 DSs probably aged 4 and 2. She originally sat on a double seat with the little one on her lap and the older one beside her.

When a woman in her 50s got on the 4 year old stood and held onto his mother so that the woman could sit down. He was absolutely fine for the rest of the journey.

So this kind of etiquette isn't quite dead yet!

Thought I would give an update on my experience today.... a gentleman who was sitting next to his DP (she was holding a baby and they had a toddler in a buggy) kindly gave up his seat for me without having to ask.

Kindness is everything.

A toddler should be able to sit down, they are less steady on their feet and less strong. An older child should stand up.

Some priority seats used to have pictures of a child on a woman's lap

A toddler should be able to sit down, they are less steady on their feet and less strong. An older child should stand up

This. I wouldn’t expect my 4yo to stand up (if I had the baby on my knee) for a 50yo. 50 is not old! (Disclaimer before I get flamed - disabilities etc excepted). When she is 8 now that’s a different question! Right now though she’s clumsy as fuck

Yeah I'd let a child sit and have done lots of times in the past. Especially if the mother had another baby in a pram. Sounds like she moved the toddler on to her lap to give the other seat to someone else.

@alltheworld
Signs shmams!

It’s all about respect!!

Yes they need to sit down until the age when they won't fly down the bus or train everytime it starts or stops- it's dangerous for them and for other passengers. Depends on the child and the particular bus or train but up to about 6ish.

And yes, blimey most 50 year olds are not 'old'!!!