To think you should carry your child?

[ClaudiaWankleman]

Parents with small children who insist on letting them try to walk up the stairs on the tube/ train/ other busy public areas.

It inevitably creates a tight bottleneck at an area a bottleneck is already going to form. We all have to squeeze into 2/3 of the space while you lead a wobbling toddler up some stairs that are way too advanced for them.

Not only is it horrendously dirty when they sit down on the third step before you heave them back up (always happens) it seems quite dangerous. There is always the chance that someone will accidentally trample them as it’s quite difficult to see in the restricted spaces.

Not least that if I had been able to get up the stairs 15 seconds quicker I would’ve been on my train instead of having to wait for the next one.

AIBU to think that you should carry your child?

I'm always reassured by friends and family that it doesn't matter and noone is judging me because I can't lift the DC due to knee and hip injuries. You wouldn't know to look at me but if I lift I'll be in hospital again!

Commuters apparently have more rights than anyone else

in public transport, yes they have. If you want to stroll around, go somewhere else, I am sure there are many more interesting places to go than a train or tube station, especially at rush hour.

But somehow it’s the parent and child who are entitled?

Oh, the irony

@CrohnicallyEarly,
Obviously the mother and child in this scenario, where they had no other room to go, should just magically disappear to let the very important people do their very important things.

Actually, it's the Very Important People, rushing to do whatever Earth-Shatteringly Important Thing they can't be late for, who were the reason I wanted my toddlers to learn early to walk always at the side of passages and stairways: I didn't want my small child barged into by an oaf in a pinstripe suit and knocked to the ground by a careless prannet.

I have 4 kids and have managed not to make a nuisance of either of us when we have to take public transport together.

So really, the all important posters on this thread who think it's acceptable to delay and annoy everyone around them because they don't want to lower their precious self by getting out of the way like any normal human being.. they are rather pathetic, aren't they.

I always thought the people blocking the way were just idiots, I never realised until this thread that it was done on purpose. Good grief, it's nearly funny to have such a bit chip on your shoulder

I have no interest in annoying or delaying anyone.
I am also not interested in making sure that other people can rush from A to B, that is their look out.
No one group of people can insist they are more important than another, public transport is for everyone.

It's the little bastards that take up half the bus in tractor style buggies spending the entire journey kicking other passengers (me) that piss me off.
And the Mother glared at me for telling it to stop kicking me.

Toddlers are human, humans use public transport stop whinging.

Some people are in other words saying that some parents with toddlers are very entitled......why should everyone have to rush just because you do? If parents and commuters are sensible and courteous we wouldn't need to have this discussion.

It's the little bastards that take up half the bus in tractor style buggies spending the entire journey kicking other passengers (me) that piss me off.

You're actually annoyed at the children in the buggies, as if it's their choice?
I know who sounds like a bastard.

And I know a certain type of commuter who pushes through groups of people even when there's no space to go past. It looks like there's at least on of those in this thread.
Anyone else is just a removable obstacle.
And yes, I definitely won't get out of your way. (Mostly because I'm already going quite fast and you're just trying to intimidate people out of your way)
Be kind and mindful. It works both ways.

I use a walking stick. I was traversing a busy airport over the weekend and encountered many toddlers walking on their own. I don’t usually mind this, but in a crazy, crowded airport, where my balance is already iffy, an unpredictable 3-year-old is my poison. I have tumbled over before due to a kid’s ill-timed spin in my direction - not something I wish to repeat!

YABU. I've got a crap pelvic floor and weak ankles. When DS was 2, he weighed over 2st, carrying him at all made my bits quite literally fall out of my birth canal.

As it happens I would always have avoided public transport at rush hour with toddlers, but for many people it's unavoidable.

I always thought the people blocking the way were just idiots, I never realised until this thread that it was done on purpose

Nobody said they do it on purpose. While you've been busy being self-important I'm afraid the point has gone whizzing over your head.

I always thought the people blocking the way were just idiots,

This is because you are myopically inclined. You only think about yourself. Other people are “blocking” you, rather than other people - like you - maybe just going about their business, not owing you deference and obedience to your unstated will.

Other people are “blocking” you, rather than other people - like you - maybe just going about their business, not owing you deference and obedience to your unstated will.

people are only blocking others because they decide to stroll in the middle instead of sticking to one side and leaving space for others. Same thing on escalators.

I know it can be a hard concept to understand. Most of us go on about our own business whilst still being respectful of others. It's only self important entitled idiots who decide they have a right to block the way and too bad for the poor sods stuck behind.

And that's the kind of attitude you are teaching your child? Charming.

JosefKeller

You are entirely illogical in your analysis. If there is space to move to the side, there is space for you to go round, isn’t there? How can someone be “blocking” you in a space in which there is sufficient space for them to decide not to walk in front of you?

I think this sounds more like a case of your ginormous sense of entitlement getting agitated by people being in front of you. Tough tittie.

If they leave no space either way, for whatever reason, just ask politely to go through.
If they are, then it's because there aren't many people around. Most people tend to be fairly self centred. People with children aren't usually more or less than commuters in a rush.

I'd love not to have tourists wandering about, suddenly changing paths or stopping, but I have to navigate them when I'm in a rush. That's life.
I'm not entitled to a clear path to my transport.

If there is space to move to the side, there is space for you to go round, isn’t there?

good grief...
elevators, pavement, platforms, it's the same: stick to one side, people have space next to you.
plonk yourself in the middle, people don't have the space. And of course you know that.

So one of us is either sticking to the side to allow the natural flow of people in a rush to wizz past, or rushing herself when she has to.
The other is calling anyone behind "entitled" and preciously expect them to have to ask to "excuse me" to move their royal behind out of the way.

Who exactly has a sense of entitlement?

stick to one side, people have space next to you.
plonk yourself in the middle, people don't have the space. And of course you know that.

Utter nonsense. If there is space for me and a walking child at the side, there’s space for you. And you know that. You just have a monstrous ego and want others to move aside for you.

mantarays

no need to be so rude, yet again.
Unlike you, I leave space for others, not sure why you are turning it all about me.

If there was enough space, why do you expect people to have to say "excuse me" to your ladyship?

My 2 1/2 year old weighs 16kg, I am not going to carry him for any distance, he is far too heavy.

Taking a pram on a packed tram is near impossible.

I will not carry him up stairs regardless because this throws me off balance and feels very dangerous (to be fair I find stairs a bit scary and need to hang tight to the handrail to make myself feel safe haha).

There are just a couple of reasons I wont be carrying him to save you the extra minute or so it will take up to climb the stairs.

JosefKeller

I don’t think someone describing people as “fuckers” because they happen to be walking can talk about others being rude.

But again, if there is space, I don’t expect you to excuse yourself. Just move into it. If there isn’t space, obviously I will move if you use your manners like a big girl. If not, I’ll continue along my way. 🤷🏻‍♀️

@JosefKeller You have been rude and condescending throughout this conversation. Calling people idiots, fuckers, implying they have no intelligence, calling someone "my poor dear" and "your ladyship". Practise what you preach.

Lweji
When fr0g wrote
"It's the little bastards that take up half the bus in tractor style buggies spending the entire journey kicking other passengers (me) that piss me off."

I think she was annoyed about being repeatedly kicked and the mother giving her the evils for asking the child not to kick her, rather than her being

actually annoyed at the children in the buggies, as if it's their choice?
I know who sounds like a bastard.

Children in buggies, fine, children who kick people repeatedly, little bastards, was what I took from that post.

Sorry, Fr0g not fr0g. My apologies.