on the tube recently people were giving up seats for a mother and a grandfather who in turn let the children sit

[EleanorReally]

surely the kids could have stood, or sat on their laps

i think this is a common scenario now but didnt used to be

I give up my seat for kids all the time. No issues.

Depends on age of kids. It can be a pain trying to keep little ones upright / not banging into poles etc

It's probably safer for children to sit than adults, yes they could have sat on knees,but it's not really a massive deal imo.

I prefer children sitting tbh as an adult I hold on properly. Ive seem a few standing children go flying when the brakes ho on.

If someone’s given a seat it’s their decision if they want their child to sit in it.
Personally I would much prefer my 3 year old sat on the tube than me. Adults already get jostled about by the movement and by other people, a 3 year old standing who can’t safely hold on is hardly ideal.
What a weird thing to get worked up about. The child didn’t steal your seat.

Kids are much safer standing than older adults. If they stagger you can grab and stabilise them easily. If they do fall, they are less likely to injure themselves or anyone else.
They can also lean on their own adult, sit on their adults lap etc. They do need adult supervision.

It’s also really good for them to practice the skills involved!

The biggest danger to children who aren’t sat, is being swept away by the movement of the people.

why do you say i am worked up?

it is just i have noticed it and i think it is a NEW thing and wondered if it was

It depends on the specific child and generically on age. Under 6 kids can't reliably stand well for long periods, but might get too heavy to sit on laps, or the adults might not want them on a lap (whether due to their own physical issues or just preference. Children can have one of many conditions affecting balance or leg strength, so really needing a seat, but you wouldn't know that from looking at them. Safest thing is to mind your own business. If you need a seat then wear a badge and ask.

By the way, it isn't a new thing at all. You've got older and only just noticed.

in the past kids would have been advised to give up their seats for adults

I mean if it's a bus train or bus where people are standing it's best kids are sitting out of the way they might get flustered when people are pushing past to get off, adults are usually able to negotiate this.

Much safer for little kids to sit. Personally I’d rather stand than have my kids on my lap squashing me.

Well you’ve literally come onto the internet moaning “surely the kids could have stood”. Okay surely the mother could have stood too? It’s not really anything to do with you.

The adults they were with gave the seats to them though.

It’s definitely not a new thing, been happening all my life on the tube!

Why would a healthy adult need a seat? I wouldn’t need a seat, but it’s so much easier if my child has one, so I’d let my child sit down if I was offered a seat.

A grandfather could be anywhere between 40-100, so depending on their mobility, they might offer up a seat to a grandchild as they’d find it easier to contain them.

I’ve given up my seat for small kids before if they looked wobbly, though usually only if I’m near my stop & not carrying too much.

If I see a pregnant woman, older person or another adult who looks like they need a seat for whatever reason I’ll get up immediately, whatever.

If they are your kids fair enough.

Little legs traipsing round London can be very tiring... also much safer for small children to sit.
I grew up in London and the momentum on the train is very intense / different when you are 4 foot something and 5 stone vs an adult

i am not moaning, i am interested in the change in attitudes

It’s not a change of attitude.

🙄🙄🙄

Isn’t this originally a more European thing?

If you are noticing a change in attitude maybe people just know its easier if kids sit on a seat.

I used to get my kids to offer seats but not until they were older.

When I was a kid I would’ve been told to stand to let an adult sit. Now I do see adults allow their kids to sit first. Maybe we are just nicer to kids now. Maybe I’m old enough to see the switch though I noticed it a while ago. I know what you mean OP.

not point of thread but tube seats are absolutely disgusting these days, particularly central line. Not sitting is the wiser option!

I do think it's a change of attitude TBH, but also probably not a bad one in terms of younger kids. As PP have said, it's safer for little kids to sit (although I would argue little kids can sit on laps too). I wouldn't, and don't, let DS13 take a seat on the tube if it's busy - much to his annoyance. He's fine to stand and there will be others who need it more than him.

Yes, my kids are older and I told them to stand and offer their seats a few days ago in a crowded area.