Kids kicking me on bus, AIBU?

[TheCatThatDanced]

Have noticed this 'behaviour' more recently lately - I travel on a bus sometimes for work - it gets me in nearer to work than the train station etc.

Have noticed a few times, different parents that some of them happily let their DC swing their legs and kick me... parents rarely say anything or apologise. Last week I glared at the DC as I didn't want them to be the one to be telling them off. One parent did apologise but that was one. This is on different buses. Oh and also feet on seats. I hate and don't put my feet on seats but why is it ok for kids to put their dirty feet on seats?!

I have 2 under 10 myself and if they kicked anyone on purpose or by mistake when out I always apologise and say don't do it again. Also, it's always feet off seats.

Not sure if I'm being a miserable cow or not.

Just look at the child and say, “Stop kicking me, please.”

Kick them back.

Only meant slightly light heartedly

Maybe they don’t notice.

Just turn around as say stop it please.

Iggly - maybe that's it, they don't notice.

I always get slightly nervous speaking to other people's kids but don't mind other people telling mine not to do anything.

If you get nervous talking to other people's kids, how about looking at the parent, and saying, 'please tell your child to stop kicking me'?

Why cant anyone ever communicate directly with another person?

mbosnz - actually the one time I did say 'please tell your child to stop kicking me' - it stopped for a minute then started up again and the mum just ignored her kid!

And another time I heard someone else tell off a kid the mum did a bit of an eye roll and tut at the adult telling off the kid.

Channel your best no nonsense, matronly (think Hattie Jacques in CO films) tone, turn around, and say
'Stop kicking my seat please!' hoik up bosom* and say a cheery 'thank you!' when they do. Job done!

*Bosom hoik and matronly tone optional [grin}

You don't have to say anything, just turn round and give them an evil glower until they pack it in.

I’d ask them to stop kicking. But it’s not only kids with their feet on seats. I’ve seen plenty of adults including dirty boots from workmen.

If they did it again, then I'm afraid what I do is say (directly to the child), 'stop kicking me right NOW or I will be booting you right back. And I can guarantee you, I will boot you a hell of a lot harder'. . . somehow the little cherubs usually seem to believe me.

My children aren’t perfect but I’d definitely be telling them to be careful around other people and apologising if they did kick anyone’s seats.

I’m not sure I get your point about their dirty feet on the seats though. Bus seats are filthy anyway, kids feet aren’t nearly as dirty as the seats 🤣 I would be worried about the germs my kids pick up by touching the seats tbh.

I was getting kicked in the back repeatedly at a theatre recently by a young boy who was playing up and misbehaving during the show, I turned round and said “please stop kicking my chair it’s hurting my back”. He turned bright red and packed it in immediately. His parents said nothing.

thanks all. I'm a stickler for my DC behaving on buses etc and probably come across as OTT, but I'm old school and can't stand them being annoying. Even loud singing (had that yesterday for ages...!) or annoying behaviour I tell them firmly but nicely to be quiet if it carries on. If anyone else tells them off then fine - as long as it's nicely and even if it's not - well if they didn't listen to me then...!

missyB1 - I've had before but at cinema - before kids - children kicking back of my seat, didn't stop when I said so, parents didn't bother. Then (this was a few years ago and more mouthier!) I did say 'if you do that again I'll come round there and kick you!'

Shootingstar123 - I've seen tons of people with and without shoes e.g. bare feet on buses - why should other people if they're kids or not make them dirty or not? There are or used to be signs saying 'please don't put feet on seats'.

I don’t mind my kids being told off but I’m hyper aware of their behaviour in public so usually there’s no need. I’ll stop them being annoying as soon as I spot it!

I find a death stare does the trick in these circumstances

I'm confused as to whether these children were kicking you or your seat, OP.

Urgh. Feet on seats. On the bus once some scummy woman took her sandals off and put her bare feet on the seat. And her feet were rank

CustardySergeant - the children were kicking me - usual combination of high bus seats on Routemaster buses, kids smaller than me and kicking legs indiscriminately. Something actually that I'd usually expect (as I do with my 2 DC) the parents to pull the kids up on and get them to stop.

Potterhead1985 - I used to get one of two express buses and there was a woman travelling from an embassy where she worked who regularly took off her sandals and placed her bare feet on the seats. I didn't want to pick a fight so ignored her generally. Scummy though.