Children having their own seat on a packed train.

[user1493559472]

I am on a packed train. A child who is about 3 years old is sat in their own seat and not on the parents lap, would you ask to sit down and the child sits on parents lap? People were standing.
Thank you

Sorry I missed your post and basically said the same thing.

I think the determining factor on rail is whether a ticket has been bought for the child

• Under-5 without a ticket - has to give up seat
• Under-5 with a child ticket - does not have to give up seat
• Over-5 - has to buy a ticket - so does not have to give up seat

Ah right, so the other adult doesn't matter? Got it.

No, incorrect. Nobody HAS to give up a seat, except perhaps if someone else has reserved it. HTH

You don't know what else is going on with the parent. I was pregnant and nauseous and knackered when I had a 3 year old so having him sit on my lap wasn't always comfortable. I've had friends with 3 year olds undergoing cancer treatment, recovering from gynaecologic surgery, all sorts of medical and physical reasons why having a potentially wriggly and heavy 3 year old on their lap wouldn't have been ideal.

Did they pay for the child's seat? If so, then it is theirs to sit on.

I was on a train a few weeks ago. A mother was totally frazzled with a very restless 3 year old. On chatting to her they were travelling from Scotland to Cornwall and had been travelling for 12 hours. I don't think it would be possible for that to be a comfortable journey with the child on her lap.

Neither can I which is why I said I had unseen health issues. I would also be in agony with even the smallest child on my lap, I couldn’t even hold my 13 month old DNiece for more than a few seconds but to anyone else I look perfectly fit and able. But I nor anyone else is a mind reader. I don’t expect people to look at me and say o she must need a seat so I would struggle to stand because I’m not going to suggest someone else move for me. I would however expect people who can see that others are struggling to offer seats which even I would do knowing how painful and difficult it would be for me.

No.
I know some miserable adults seem to think children are beneath them and shouldn’t be out and about taking up any space, but they absolutely have the right to.

My three and two year old sons are both disabled, most of the time they stay strapped in the buggy but at times I would have to put them next to me.
Due to their disabilities, they would not be comfortable sat on my lap.

So If I was asked to put my child on my lap, I’d refuse. Plain and simple.
If I’m capable of standing up on a train whilst pregnant, in pain and struggling with sickness just so tourists can cram on (I live in a seaside resort) and pretend not to see me, then you can stand.

Are you sure? Considering the quote below from the this page on the National Rail website, especially the bit I've bolded:

"Children under 5 years of age travel for free on most journeys but check with your train company to make sure. Please note, children under 5 who are travelling without a ticket may only occupy a seat that is not required by a fare-paying passenger. To have a reserved seat for a child under 5 you will need to purchase a child rate ticket. These come with seat reservations (if available), and there is also a 50% discount on most tickets."

Fair enough.

Although I suspect you are very much in the minority.

No, not unless you have a reason to need to sit down!

A child is a person, not an 'it.'

They still need a seat more than me so I wouldn’t ask them to move, which is what OP asked. The child and the person they’re with will be more comfortable with their own seat and I don’t need a seat more than either of them, so I would be fine standing. I’m sure some people would like to go back to a time when children were seen as less important.

I do it as well as I want/need booked seats. Probably happens more often than people might think.

As children aren't allowed to be stored in the overhead luggage rack, the only other option is to let them have a seat.

I'd much rather that a small child was on a seat that falling over or being crushed by other passengers on a train.

It's unlikely that the parent has had to buy the child a ticket at all.

This is why I always reserve a seat when I can (and in the quiet coach too). As a child I was expected to stand so that adults could sit: I'm buggered if I'm now going to stand while someone's children, travelling for free, sit.

My 12 year old was asked by an able bodied adult to stand so the adult could sit. My DC did as asked, but I’ve told them not to do so in future unless they’re in a disabled seat. Why should an able bodied adult have more right to the seat than a child?

No, I’m expecting the PARENT of the 3 year old to understand

No one was saying the child should stand. The suggestion was that the small child could go on the parent's lap.

It's not that comfortable having a heavy/lumpy bag on your lap on the train either, but if someone needs the seat next to me I'll do it and just cope. It's not going to kill me to be a little uncomfortable for a while.

What about everybody else who travels for free?! They are not expected to give up their seats - and rightly so.
Personally I would sit my child on my lap (and still do it with my 11yo!) but there shouldn’t be an expectation.

Yes, I'm sure. HTH

Your choice.
Your cannot force your choice on others.
HTH

I’m just not buying the people saying they get their preteens to sit on their lap 😂 I travel by public transport daily and have never seen anyone do this! 11 😂 that’s basically secondary school!