Page 6 | Kids should stand on public transport?

Loulou599 · 2023-08-10T15:26:43+00:00

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).

user1477391263 · 10/08/2023 18:55

ladeluge · 10/08/2023 16:46

Such precious children. We were given a clip on the ear if we didn't immediately give our seat to an adult standing.

No wonder some kids are such raving shrieking screaming monsters. They are indulged. Two younger kids could share a seat, and there are many ways around it, but the parents won't disturb their precious kids, because they are ENTITLED to their seat.

The foot stomping demanding horrors of the future are in the making, all because parents will not parent.

So, you approve of people hitting other people around their heads, yet believe that it's kids who are entitled and rude. Gotcha.

MrsTwiggy · 10/08/2023 18:57

MariaVT65 · 10/08/2023 17:59

I would actually give up my seat if I saw a 6 year old standing.

So would I, and I actually do suffer with a physical illness that is mostly invisible but is sometimes obvious due to braces on joints etc.

Im not saying that people with illnesses like mine should give up their seats btw before anyone suggests that I am, I'm simply stating how I view things in my own life and that it's certainly never occurred to me that a little six year old child should give up their seat for me!

MolkosTeenageAngst · 10/08/2023 18:57

Loulou599 · 10/08/2023 18:53

@MolkosTeenageAngst
small children are less likely to have developed any strategies to deal with these difficulties
Has to start somewhere doesn't it?

I don't get why you wouldn't put your kid on one of the luggage racks and stand in front of them, that would probably be quite fun for them

I agree it has to start somewhere, but if your child struggles to stand for a length of time or has a meltdown when they are feeling claustrophobic and like they have no escape it definitely doesn’t make sense to start on a crowded bus or train! You don’t just expect a 6 year old to do everything you expect an adult would do because at some point they will be an adult and need to have the skill!

Regholdsworthswaterbed · 10/08/2023 18:58

ladeluge · 10/08/2023 16:46

Such precious children. We were given a clip on the ear if we didn't immediately give our seat to an adult standing.

No wonder some kids are such raving shrieking screaming monsters. They are indulged. Two younger kids could share a seat, and there are many ways around it, but the parents won't disturb their precious kids, because they are ENTITLED to their seat.

The foot stomping demanding horrors of the future are in the making, all because parents will not parent.

The same foot stamping, demanding horrors who feel they are entitled to a seat just because someone is younger than them?

user1477391263 · 10/08/2023 18:59

Loulou599 · 10/08/2023 18:51

For example on this train there was a woman with a baby in a sling, I found it so weird that nobody gave their seat to her. Actually thinking about it I find it even ruder that parents expect to sit next to their kid (that's what all 3 kids had, their parents were all next to them). I mean if you've got a small kid taking up a whole seat, and half the carriage is standing, even if you thought your kid was too fragile to stand wouldn't you think "hmmm, maybe just out of politeness ill offer my own seat to someone else". I'm in my 30s so no bother, but when you have people in their 50s, 60s, a mum with a baby, I just can't imagine myself letting my kid just sit there chilling in a seat OR not bother getting up myself. Do these parents think somebody will kidnap their kid if they aren't sitting next to them or something?

Why on earth does a regular healthy person in their 50s or 60s need a seat? Most people that age are working full time. I'll be 50 in a few years time, I just came back from hill-walking and probably did 15,000 steps (much of it uphill).

I would always offer a seat to a parent carrying a baby, elderly person or similar, but as a healthy able bodied person, that's my job. A primary school age kid is not the ideal person to give up a seat as they are more likely to be injured if the bus or train pulls up suddenly or lurches around.

Bbq1 · 10/08/2023 19:00

I think people look at kids in seats sometimes and think "Younger legs" and that's where it comes from.

Saschka · 10/08/2023 19:00

ladeluge · 10/08/2023 16:46

Such precious children. We were given a clip on the ear if we didn't immediately give our seat to an adult standing.

No wonder some kids are such raving shrieking screaming monsters. They are indulged. Two younger kids could share a seat, and there are many ways around it, but the parents won't disturb their precious kids, because they are ENTITLED to their seat.

The foot stomping demanding horrors of the future are in the making, all because parents will not parent.

Yep, life was definitely better when you could hit a stranger’s preschooler around the head without being arrested

Riapia · 10/08/2023 19:01

Take heart OP non of the people posting here actually believe what they have posted.
It’s AIBU the place where disagreeable people gather to say things that no reasonable person would even think of saying.
😉😁😁

aSofaNearYou · 10/08/2023 19:01

Do these parents think somebody will kidnap their kid if they aren't sitting next to them or something?

Quite possibly? It's a bit naive to expect people to leave their small children unattended.

HauntedPencil · 10/08/2023 19:01

Loulou599 · 10/08/2023 18:53

@MolkosTeenageAngst
small children are less likely to have developed any strategies to deal with these difficulties
Has to start somewhere doesn't it?

I don't get why you wouldn't put your kid on one of the luggage racks and stand in front of them, that would probably be quite fun for them

Is this a serious suggestion? 😳

Pudmyboy · 10/08/2023 19:02

Loulou599 · 10/08/2023 18:53

@MolkosTeenageAngst
small children are less likely to have developed any strategies to deal with these difficulties
Has to start somewhere doesn't it?

I don't get why you wouldn't put your kid on one of the luggage racks and stand in front of them, that would probably be quite fun for them

I agree with this, it seems children are not exposed to any situations to enable them to develop life skills.
When I was little (1960's, I was about 6-7) I was on a bus with my dad, it was crowded, he got off but I couldn't get off in time and the bus pulled away, I stood nervously by the (open) exit, got off at the next stop and ran back to meet my dad coming towards me (not running though!). It taught me to push through to keep up with my dad and actually gave me a bit of confidence as I did the right actions to get back to him.

Regholdsworthswaterbed · 10/08/2023 19:02

Mojoj · 10/08/2023 17:54

And that attitude is exactly what I'm talking about.

What makes you think you are more entitled to a seat than a young person? Unless you are disabled/pregnant or very elderly why should you take priority?

Original poster

Loulou599 · 10/08/2023 19:06

@HauntedPencil
Yes....? I don't mean the overhead bag shelves but the actual luggage rack that is shoulder height and wider than a seat. If you stood with your back to it the kid could sit up there.

OP posts:

Simonjt · 10/08/2023 19:09

ladeluge · 10/08/2023 16:46

Such precious children. We were given a clip on the ear if we didn't immediately give our seat to an adult standing.

No wonder some kids are such raving shrieking screaming monsters. They are indulged. Two younger kids could share a seat, and there are many ways around it, but the parents won't disturb their precious kids, because they are ENTITLED to their seat.

The foot stomping demanding horrors of the future are in the making, all because parents will not parent.

Are you suggesting hitting a child and stomping your feet until they get out of their seat isn’t the actions of a screaming entitled monster?

Simonjt · 10/08/2023 19:10

Loulou599 · 10/08/2023 19:06

@HauntedPencil
Yes....? I don't mean the overhead bag shelves but the actual luggage rack that is shoulder height and wider than a seat. If you stood with your back to it the kid could sit up there.

Lots of people can’t lift their children to shoulder height, when was the last time you lifted a six year old to shoulder height on a moving vehicle?

Original poster

Loulou599 · 10/08/2023 19:12

Lots of people can’t lift their children to shoulder height, when was the last time you lifted a six year old to shoulder height on a moving vehicle

Never but I'd suggest if they are too big to lift they're big enough to stand 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:

Daphnis156 · 10/08/2023 19:12

"Children should stand on trains"
The next stage might suit me better:
"Children should not travel on trains"

Howdoyouknowwhitney · 10/08/2023 19:14

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MolkosTeenageAngst · 10/08/2023 19:15

Loulou599 · 10/08/2023 19:06

@HauntedPencil
Yes....? I don't mean the overhead bag shelves but the actual luggage rack that is shoulder height and wider than a seat. If you stood with your back to it the kid could sit up there.

And then what is everybody supposed to do with their luggage? It’s not ideal to have massive suitcases in the aisles where people have to try and step around or over them to get on/ off on an already crowded train. I’d rather a child in a seat and one more healthy adult who can move out of the way when people get on/ off standing than 3 or 4 suitcases blocking the aisle because a child is in the luggage rack.

user1477391263 · 10/08/2023 19:15

Loulou599 · 10/08/2023 19:06

@HauntedPencil
Yes....? I don't mean the overhead bag shelves but the actual luggage rack that is shoulder height and wider than a seat. If you stood with your back to it the kid could sit up there.

Haha, hilarious.

Oh wait, you were being serious??

purplebluediscorain · 10/08/2023 19:16

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Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Narwhalsh · 10/08/2023 19:16

My 6 year old is the size of a 10 year old so he’s def not sitting on my knee! Nor am I letting him to stand because I don’t trust that he wouldn’t do a runner. Kids can have ‘unseen’ issues too you know…

Simonjt · 10/08/2023 19:18

Loulou599 · 10/08/2023 19:12

Lots of people can’t lift their children to shoulder height, when was the last time you lifted a six year old to shoulder height on a moving vehicle

Never but I'd suggest if they are too big to lift they're big enough to stand 🤷‍♀️

So children suddenly gain balance when they’re too heavy to be lifted to shoulder height (which could be age four for lots of women)? You are aware that head size to body ratio means children have poor balance until around 8-10 years old.

purplebluediscorain · 10/08/2023 19:19

@ladeluge they are entitled to a seat just as much as any other human would be. I hope a child never gives up their seat for you in your life time. You are the one with the wrong entitled attitude you are what’s wrong with this world. I’d never make my daughter stand for another adult never. If you want a seat book and pay for it don’t expect .

donkir · 10/08/2023 19:22

My son is 8 but in age 10-11 clothes due to height. He also has dyspraxia (non visible disability) which means his coordination and balance is completely off compared to other children his age. He falls over thin air daily and has broken several bones by tripping over nothing.
He couldn't stand safely on a train and he's much too big to go on my lap.