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?

I literally can't believe anyone would think keeping their toddler quiet is more important than someone who is unwell being able to sit down what a ridiculously entitled attitude. You are seriously selfish if you do this. What a ridiculous attitude.

But why should it be the toddler or the ill person standing? From the OPs post there where plenty of adults who weren’t the patients so I am sure some of them could have offered their seats.

Parenting your toddler is your responsibility. You're not the first person in the world to have a hyper child, suck it up! People who are unwell or frail need a seat.

@TheMemoryLingers - I bet you have taught those angel children of yours to read standing up on trains already so waiting rooms will be no problem for them.

The fact that your kids are fidgety does not mean they need a seat more than someone who is clearly unwell.

I don’t think anyone is necessarily saying that. If I were at all able to stand myself I’d give my child the chair because they’d be much easier to manage like that.

I literally can't believe anyone would think keeping their toddler quiet is more important than someone who is unwell being able to sit down what a ridiculously entitled attitude

No one is actually saying that.

Why are all these 'sick' children in the adult area anyway? Do you not all have a separate waiting area for paediatric A&E? Most hospitals I've been in, when my 2 were little, had a separate area, with toys etc.

Wish I'd brought a picnic the other day. 8 hours waiting and all the vending machines were broken I was starving.

Yanbu around other adults taking up unnecessary seating though I had no issue with young DC.
I went as far as purchasing train tickets when DS was under age while leaving it in the display. I'd always offer my seat for a person in need, it is annoying when people stare trying to make you shift your child.

And you’ll know how uncomfortable that is.

Obviously it wasn't as comfortable as sitting would have been - but, you can't always expect to be comfortable. Sometimes in life, you have to endure a bit of discomfort. If you are otherwise healthy, and have no disabilities it won't do you any harm. Are people really so pampered nowadays that standing up for a few hours is seen as unendurable?

Small kids taking up seats on the tube really pisses me off. It's a 20 minute journey, put the little goblin on your knee ffs

it is annoying when people stare trying to make you shift your child

Just smile, ignore and carry on what you are doing.

Sparkle567 I have none to teach. However, I've seen many a well-behaved child on my hospital visits and in other waiting room situations, public transport etc. - which leads me to to believe it's not impossible to bring children up to behave considerately.

I was going to say that as long as they have their bottoms on the seats, that is fine. But no, not in that case.

but, you can't always expect to be comfortable

It’s not a about being comfortable for it’s own sake. An uncomfortable child will not behave and be quiet.

I hate this. I see it on the subway where I live all the time (not UK where I rarely see it). Small children sitting on their own seat, very often because they bolted over to get it, knocking others out of the way as they went.

I think it's about showing consideration, not entitlement or rights. And it obviously needs to go both ways, if someone took their little one off a chair for me I'd say thanks to both and help distract if needed, if someone looked like their kid needed to lie down I'd offer my seat (former nanny though, I've done many a hospital appointment).

As in most walks of life, some people are just twats. Don't understand the 'taking the whole family along' though, whether it be food shopping, A&E or anything else. Maybe they think they're missing out if they're not all there at every single occurrence in family life? Not able to comprehend being separated or finding something useful to occupy their time?

YABU about children sitting down, they are people too. Adults are not more important than children!

YANBU about people who bring multiple family or friends for support, it's ridiculous.

I hate this. I see it on the subway where I live all the time

so? My kids are just as entitled as a seat than you are, and if there aren't enough, I stand, not them. It's much safer and easier for me than it is for them!

I think it's about showing consideration, not entitlement or rights. And it obviously needs to go both ways
This completely. I am a bit odd I set my myself little personal targets of at least 3 good deeds a week usually elderly ppl at the bus stop I think it is unfair for a healthy adult to expect a small child to sit on DM on a packed train for hours. Elderly, disabled, someone who ask politely to sit their bum down.
The fit adults who get on huffing and puffing staring with dagger looks, not a chance.

Don't understand the 'taking the whole family along' though, whether it be food shopping, A&E or anything else.

stupid comment

In A&E, kids are a liability and a disturbance
Food shopping? YOU could just do an online shop, you chose to go to the supermarket. Other families make the same choice. Why do you think you have more rights than they have?

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

This.
It's unreasonable to expect an unwell adult to keep a child on their lap for hours and unreasonable to expect an unwell child not to have a seat.
But there's no need for extended family outings with everyone, children included taking up seats. The adults could take all the children, including the patient's, home or somewhere other than the waiting area.

It was the same in my local maternity hospital. There were clear signs saying seats are priority for pregnant women and the amount of women who stood while partners of other women sat down was unbelievable! A very stern midwife used to come and shame them into getting up , which I was pleased about!

@ TheMemoryLingers - not surprised you don’t have any with your comments.

Totally agree with the extra family members thing. It just seems to be the norm that people bring someone with them to the hospital which I find weird, I always go on my own.

Think hospitals should be stricter on this and say that (adult) non patients may have to wait in the cafe / elsewhere during busy times and enforce it. There should be a sign saying in waiting room that if you're not the patient you should stand / go elsewhere to make room for the patients.

Same with hospital parking. I think there should be a certain number of spaces reserved for actual patients every day then visitors fight for the remaining spaces amongst themselves. At my local hospital you have to allow 20 minutes to get a parking space which is frustrating when a significant percentage are visitors who don't actually need to be there for an appointment.