Kids should stand on public transport?

[Loulou599]

I was on a crowded 1.5 hour train where half of the passengers were standing. There were 3 kids ( not together, each with an adult) who were sitting in a seat, I would guess they were all roughly the same age, around 6 years old.
I thought that kids that age should either stand or sit on their parents lap (I know that's not the most comfortable but standing for an hour and a half isn't either).
What do you think? I just thought it was messed up that these kids were chilling in seats while you had a lot of people in their 50s/60s (not old, not visibly in discomfort) standing, but then I wondered whether it's harder for a child to stand at that age (I don't have kids).

Small children can easily lose balance/fall over/get wacked repeatedly in the face by bags.

If older people need a seat the other, younger adults should offer their seats.

They have just as much right to sit on a seat as any other human being

If someone less able needs a seat they can ask

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4857443-children-should-be-told-to-give-up-their-seat-on-a-bus-if-theres-an-adult-who-finds-it-harder-to-stand?page=13&reply=127931573

Depends tbh. I got the train from Manchester to Reading years ago when my dc were that sort of age. 5 and 7 iirc. I'd paid for, and pre booked, seats. A woman got on with a teen and complained for ages that I didn't make my dc stand.
I figure if she was that bothered she'd have taken the time to pre book.

Having said that I would have put the smaller one on my lap for an elderly person.

If the driver has to slam on the brakes, it’s the elderly and the say under 12s who are most likely to go flying. These are the people who need the seats most. If you are a healthy adult, you can stand.

Children don't always have a developed sense of balance, especially as young as 6 and it could be dangerous for them to stay standing up. If you have ever had a six year old ( or even a hefty 3 year old) sitting on your knee for any length of time you will know how painful ( pins and needles, numb legs ) it can be.

Teenagers however, unless they are hyper mobile/dyspraxic or have another issue that affects their ability to stand, then they absolutely should allow a much older person to sit down.

From the age of 10-12 they can stand, 6 is too young and they can get seriously hurt if they fall, or get crushed.

I get what you're saying, but it's not really safe for them to stand imo. That's still quite young and they are still wobbly, but too big for lap possibly. Plus parents wanting to keep them entertained in a seat with tablet etc.

Why should a six year old child give up their seat for someone in their 50's or 60's when they are not frail, disabled or pregnant?

My DC can't keep their balance on a moving train.

It always amazes me when people expect children to stand on public transport. Its at such odds with the fact they all legally need to be strapped into a car seat if in a car.

my 7 year old wouldn’t be able to maintain balance standing on a bus/tube train. Would probably fall and break a bone given her history. Much easier for an able 50/60 year old. However if somebody needed a seat I would sit her on my lap. I don’t see why children should be less entitled to a seat than an adult especially with the prices
you have to pay for kids tickets these days.

People should book seats if they don't want to stand.

Pretty sure we had a thread on this just recently!

IMO: small tots (3 and under, unless massive) should be on laps in a crowded train/tube/bus.

Anyone who is well able to stand, should offer their seat to anyone who appears infirm or who asks.

Young children are actually LESS able to stand than most adults IMO because they are not as strong and all the holding on places are designed for adult height. So they’re the last able bodied people I would expect to give up their seat.

Brakes tend not to get slammed on in trains

Hmmm thinking about it some more actually I don't expect them to stand as its true I guess it would be hard for them to keep their balance. But I expect them to sit on their parents lap I think

You're annoyed that a six year old child had a seat? A six year old. You do realise how young that is, don't you?

Why should they? I don't understand your thinking at all. Personally I think it's much safer for kids to sit on the train and I've offered my seat to kids before.

@Sunshineclouds11
When did you last catch a train? Book a seat? 😄 That's not how it works on regional trains

Totally agree.

First come, first served. Book a seat if you need one.

If I had a 6 year old sitting on my knee for an hour and a half, then I'd be in a lot of pain and probably unable to walk at the end of it. I do have fibromyalgia though!

Unless you book a seat on trains you should expect first come first served (of course certain things will be an exception). What trains do you get that gives enough leg room for a six year old to sit on an adults knee?

If they're much older than 6 they could be too big for this.

I find it odd that you've targeted kids here. I do think that when you're in the living room and there isn't enough seating, the kids should sit on the floor, as they're smaller/do that a lot anyway without finding it uncomfortable. But the logic does not extend to standing up on a moving vehicle. It's less practical for them to do that than a young, healthy adult. Why isn't your ire targeted at them? It just seems to be grounded in a kind of moral sense that kids are "lesser" people so should give up their seats. It seems odd.

In my case it was 3 days ago. We booked seats.

I wouldn’t have made my children stand when they were 6. I’d have asked them to sit on my lap but wouldn’t have made them. I would give my own seat if anyone needed it, although a healthy 50/60 year old should be able to stand anyway.