Re putting children on your lap on public transport

[user1485342611]

Someone in work this morning was saying that she had to stand the whole way in on the bus while at least three adults with toddlers allowed those toddler to take up a whole seat. We were all agreeing that they should have put the toddlers on their laps to free up 3 seats during rush hour. Apart from one colleague who has a 4 year old and didn't see why he should be denied a seat or she should have to put up with feeling 'a bit squashed' just so someone else could have the seat.

When I was a child it was just the norm for kids under a certain age to be pulled onto their mother's lap when the bus started filling up. No one thought twice about it.

AIBU to think it's a shame that parents don't do this anymore and that my colleague is being a bit selfish?

On the tube today, had 8yo DD on my lap twice on busy trains. One more person gets a seat. Baffled as to why I (able bodied, not pregnant, no bags) wouldn't do that.

DD just read her book.

I've got no problem putting either DD (5 and 2) on my lap.

However, I am just 5ft so it won't be too long until the oldest is a bit big to do it.

I often do so unless I have the buggy to keep hold off/a big bag between my legs.

Many, many years ago when I was a child, I remember strange grown-ups offering me a place on their knee if I was standing on a full bus. This was before the age of 'every stranger is a paedophile' and 'every child is entitled to a seat'.

Baffled as to why I (able bodied, not pregnant, no bags) wouldn't do that.

Baffled at the number of parents who can sit an 8-year-old on their lap, or 8-year-olds who fit.

They must be whoppers then, because I (5’2, size 12) can easily fit DD (average height, thin but not skinny) on my lap.

It's the seat in front, where is the space for their legs? Can't go sideways because of the other passenger.

My other half is almost a foot taller than me, should I offer to sit on his lap?

My other half is almost a foot taller than me, should I offer to sit on his lap?

Of course you should! Think of all those able-bodied adults who have just spent hours toiling in the pits and have some manners! Back in my day, people used to wear suction cups on their hands and feet and hang off the ceiling to make room cuz we were polite and considerate like that.

@MrsFezziwig

Like you said no one offered to give up their seat no matter how close or far away from the door they were, you could have asked anyone as I'm sure it wasn't just full of pensioners or disabled people and 2 teenage boys.

It's the seat in front, where is the space for their legs? Can't go sideways because of the other passenger.
Our older stock of buses locally is being phased out. If we get an older one then there's normally just about enough space. For me - a 5ft5 slim person with average leg length - to slot a DC in with their legs between mine. New stock buses and my knees touch the seat in front. More seats, but far more uncomfortable for anyone slightly longer legged/taller than me.

@MrsFezziwig

Oh and I would like to point out you have no idea why I chose that user name so perhaps you shouldn't mention it in the same sentence as "losing the will to live" what an odd thing yo comment on and an odd thing to say in response.

As I explained in a previous post, I asked the people who were sitting right next to where we were standing. Seemed an obvious thing to do, rather than shout down the carriage. Didn't realise it would be subjected to such close scrutiny.

Anyway, bored now. Am pleased to see some posters wondering what on earth the big deal is about sitting a small child on their lap in order to create an extra space for someone else to sit down. And have been amused by the "my child is 15 stone and 6'2, do you expect him to sit on my lap?" brigade.

These were tube trains (Central and Victoria lines) so the seating is along the sides of the carriage - all the seats face into the middle, so enough room for legs. I agree that on the kind of seat you describe there wouldn’t be enough room.

When I was a teenager/student we always used to double up and sit on each other’s laps. It’s not that unusual to see teens doing that on the tube - in fact, I would say I see more teens and young people doubling up than I do younger kids who could easily squash up.