Small children taking up seats

[pigdogridesagain]

I recently attended my local walk in centre for a minor ailment, waiting time was around 3 hours. It was absolutely packed in there. I noticed that there were quite a few very ill looking adults stood as all the seats were taken. However many of the seats were taken by small children, AIBU to expect parents to put them on their laps so that adults can sit down? Another thing I noticed was people bringing 3 or 4 family members/friends with them, again taking up seats that someone who is obviously poorly could have used, AIBU?

Colouring, books, toys. All become manageable when sitting down.

I agree you can't colour in when you're standing, but you can look at a book or play with a toy without sitting down.

A seat doesn't have magical properties of freezing the child's movements

For most kids it pretty much does. Most kids will be still while seated, but very fidgety if standing.

But you probably have some angel children that will stand still for hours without even moving

Swap ‘angel’ for ‘imaginary’ and you have it.

I’d also say that an infected ingrown toenail is horribly painful and actually dangerous for someone with diabetes for instance. Ditto a boil/abscess that needs lancing. I once had an abscess that required a 3 hour surgery and over a month of daily packing. I went to a&e with it as I was told to by my midwife. It was the worst pain I’ve ever had including childbirth and gallstones.

YABU

No idea why people need to go as a group when there's clearly one adult who could take care of the kids elsewhere, even if the actual patient can't drive and needed a lift.

Small children need a seat just as much as anyone else, and sometimes you physically can't tolerate having anyone on you, even a small child, because the pain is too bad. It's easier to give books and things to keep a child quiet if he's sitting down.

I agree you can't colour in when you're standing, but you can look at a book or play with a toy without sitting down

Oh yes. They will play with these toys while standing dead still won’t they... they won’t use their imagination and move around at all

Take a sign with you warning that people with the corona virus might be in the room and you'll soon find it's not so much of a problem.

These family outings are probably the ones who check into hospitals on social media to reassure everybody that they are ok hun.

YABU about children. They have a right to a seat too especially if they are ill. I hate this attitude to children in this country.

I agree about the extended family thing.

If you are well and there is someone more sick needs a seat. Stand up. That applies irrespective of age.

My 3 year old is by and large and angel child in these sorts of situations- always praised for her behaviour, has strangers saying what a darling she is etc. There is no way she would stand still for 3 hours. I’d like to meet a child that would so I call bollocks on that.

I have a 3 and a 5 year old.
When I've felt like utter crap or in pain and had to be in a&e or a walk in centre the last thing, if I can't sort child care is to have my child on top of me.
BUT.. if I was to see someone clearly unwell or in pain I would get my child to move, as I wouldn't want to be standing.
The whole bringing your entire family along and taking up seats is ridiculous to me.. they shouldn't all be allowed there imo.
I do understand people can't always get child care! Because that's me! But to bring your parent, your partner, friends etc.. just no need imo

This is hilarious! Thinking a toddler will stand dead still for over 3 hours next to their parents chair.

Whoever said about not taking everyone to the supermarket....why not? We go as a family so the children can help me pick things.

I was in A&E Majors on Sat night. One person, youngish person (late 20s maybe and seemingly neuro typical) had 8 people with him who looked to be parents and aunts etc, it was ridiculous and they were all kicking off at the wait and didn't they know he'd come in by ambulance etc etc.

Eventually the staff closed the curtain (to make it sound proof) and explained in no uncertain terms that his use of an ambulance was inappropriate and his behaviour in the department was even more so. Told him he was triaged by priority and his injury was minor and he was being moved to minors when he'd sobered up. Sent all but two people away. I was practically clapping them.

He piped down and then was moved.

By contrast an old guy who kept wandering the dept was there alone and it was so sad to watch him.

Whoever said about not taking everyone to the supermarket....why not? We go as a family so the children can help me pick things.

oh ,there's a thread about that from the last few days.

it's totally unacceptable to some people apparently, the ones who should stick to online shopping instead of moaning constantly

Children are used to sitting on the floor though, they do it in all primary school classrooms and assembly halls.

They should give up their seats to people who are poorly.

I should add, that the majority of these small children were clearly not seriously poorly

You have obviously never met DS. He is the same child who when in hospital and on oxygen often got himself knotted in the tubes because of his movement around the cot!

He has multiple disabilities but when when Critically Ill the ADHD still keeps him active Add in some steroids for his chest and it’s all fun and games! Believe me everyone would prefer him sat quietly playing on his iPad than bouncing around!

I can imagine re a & e (experience in past) you have one dc who is seriously ill (& you cant tell by looking) you don't drive, the hospital is miles from where you live, the waiting time is long & you might want to go to loo but don't want to miss the doctor coming out while your there, so its good to have dp there & you have other dc. & you have no idea how long you will be waiting. As for shopping one partner doesn't drive & 2 people doing organised big shopping trip which helps you to do it quicker but you have to take dc (I never bought sweets for dc so they stopped asking but I use to get them to pickup beans or cereals to keep them occupied & it was educational for them.)

I agree you can't colour in when you're standing, but you can look at a book or play with a toy without sitting down

Have you ever read a book standing up for any length of time?

And as for toys, they’ll be on the floor, moving around, getting in everyone’s way in seconds.

& when ds was really ill with appendix (!!) he was still active (it was a nightmare after op because we were worried he might burst his stiches!)

Children are used to sitting on the floor though,
they might be, but it doesn't mean they should have to sit on a grotty floor and being in the way of people in the process.

Not all waiting rooms have chairs against the wall with all the space in the room, many of them are crowded things and no, children can't sit on the floor there

just read: playing on the floor in a&e are you mad? I have seen blood & other spillages on floor which they cannot keep up with?

Have you ever read a book standing up for any length of time?

All the way from Newcastle to Birmingham on an overcrowded train is the first of several instances that leaps to mind!

They’re in the seats to keep them quiet. I’d rather stand (or sit on floor) than have to listen to a screaming toddler.

Most toddlers will sit in a seat waiting fairly happily, but if you put them on your knee for any length of time, will start wailing. If mum got there and there was a seat available and the toddler was told they weren’t allowed to sit in it in case someone later arrives who needs it, toddler would cry endlessly. If toddler gets given seat and then is later asks to move to make room for a new arrival, they will probably yell even more. Maybe this is unreasonable of the toddlers but their brains aren’t fully formed yet so they don’t give a shit.

Weird about family groups / healthy adults taking seats though. I guess the seats are empty when they arrive and then they’re too socially inept / selfish to offer the seat to later arrivals.

Some people are so entitled. The fact that your kids are fidgety does not mean they need a seat more than someone who is clearly unwell. If your child is too sick to stand or sit on the floor then you stand instead,dont leave a sick person standing up with no seat. If you have to go in a giant group only the sick person sits.

All the way from Newcastle to Birmingham on an overcrowded train is the first of several instances that leaps to mind!

And you’ll know how uncomfortable that is. Imagine trying to keep a child occupied. If they’re not comfortable, you won’t last more than 2 mins.

And I’m reeling at the idea that people think it’s a good idea for children to play on the floor at A&E.

Have people taken leave of their senses?