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

No, I wouldn’t.

What’s your reasoning for thinking you are more deserving of the seat?

Unless it's a booked seat, no, I wouldn't expect a toddler to be moved onto a parent's lap to free up a seat.

If you want a seat then book it.

If you can't then it's first come, first served.

I wouldn't expect anyone, old or young or anything in between to give up a seat, and I certainly wouldn't be putting my child on my lap, that would have been physically impossible for me anyway.

You always run the risk of having to stand on the train if you haven't booked.

Ha Ha !

"Hey excuuuuse meee! Can you just move that please"

Good one

in situations like that, I would always take the DC on my lap. I wouldn't ask other people though to do it.

As a parent I would have put the child on my lap, I don’t know where this idea has come from that children are feeble delicate creatures who are always less able to stand than adults.
A few months ago I was standing on a packed train and there was a family of parents and son aged about 11 also standing. Through most of the half hour journey they talked about the fact he had never stood on a train before; he seemed to regard it as a little bit scary and quite an adventure (in a positive way, they were a nice jolly family).
I remember aged a bit younger than him having a discussion with my brother about how we preferred standing because it was more fun.
In op’s position I wouldn’t have asked though, I don’t think it would have had a positive response and the parent might have had a good reason.

While I get what you’re saying, this argument doesn’t really stick because so many people still have to stand, regardless of toddlers that may be on laps. They also pay thousands for the privilege.

I would always take my small child onto my lap and offer the seat to an adult. But that was the norm when my children were growing up. When they were old enough (from about six) they would volunteer their seats themselves, though often the adult would smilingly decline.
It’s unwise to say the past was always better, but in some things, such as showing consideration and good manners, it often was.

I normally get up and offer my chair if I see small kids without a seat. But then I don't mind standing

I would put my DC on my lap at that age if a vulnerable person was standing.. ie pregnant, disabled, elderly.

Absolutely not! My kid would get a seat over me - they can’t stand on a moving train and my little one has probably walked and needs it. If someone was disabled/ had needs etc then I would rethink but over an able adult like myself - nope 🙂‍↔️ child can have the seat

I wouldn’t get up so a 3yo has their own seat but I wouldn’t ask for a 3yo’s seat either. Every person deserves respect, including children.

I would have pulled my child into my lap at that age and offered the seat to someone but I don’t think it’s reasonable to ask. Lots of people would struggle to have a child on their knee for various reasons. Just call them a cunt in your head and reframe your thinking so it’s doesn't drive you mad.

I wouldn't ask because if the parent hasn't done it already, they're not the kind of person that would be receptive to that.

No, of course not.

Agree. Times really seem to have changed. Yes toddlers are human too, and yes it's not always practical to have a 3 year old on your lap as a pp pointed out, but at one time it was standard for very young/small children to sit on their parent's lap if a bus or train was packed. It's just basic consideration for other passengers imo.

The thing is, if you asked the parent to have the kid on their lap and they reluctantly complied, you'd find yourself sitting next to a wriggly kid who's kicking you every five minutes. I'd rather stand!
Was it at a table seat? I'm not sure if it's possible to have a three yr old on your lap at one of those.

No, having a 3 year old sat on your lap for a length of time is uncomfortable. Esp if squeezed into train (or bus seats).

Only if you are elderly, disabled or pregnant.

A cunt? Seriously? For all you know, they may have paid for that child’s seat.

Why are you any more deserving?

Is the child not also a passenger?

I'd have to ask someone to stand or in this case sit on someone's lap as I couldn't stand on a train.

Your choice to have children. Why should others stand just so you don't have to be inconvenienced?

No. And I wouldn't of someone asked either. My children have as much right to sit down as anyone else. I wouldn't even mind paying if I had to.

It’s not children’s fault they can’t pay for train tickets. Sitting on a lap for an extended period of time isn’t comfortable.