Prams/pushchairs on public transport

[amitymama]

I was discussing this with some childless people and they all seemed to think that people with pushchairs using public transport need to fold them up if the kid is not actually sitting in it. They cited people taking the kid out and putting their shopping in it as instances of rude behaviour in which they should've folded it up because if there's not a kid using it it's not a shopping trolley and it should be folded to make room for other passengers. I argued that sometimes a kid will whinge and scream if left in a pushchair that's not moving and that it's often better to let them out to sit on a normal seat or on your lap to keep them happy and entertained and put your shopping in the seat to keep it from tipping over. If the pushchair was folded where would the shopping go and how would you hold onto the chair (which, when folded, has no brake on most models), the shopping AND the kid all while remaining seated or being able to hold onto something? If you have an older toddler and one of those lightweight pushchairs and little to no shopping with you then it's easy to fold. But if your kid isn't old enough to stand up or sit still and you have a few bags with you, what are you supposed to do? I think it's a bit petty and unreasonable to expect parents to either fold it up and then have a horrific journey trying to hold onto everything or deal with an unhappy child who wants to get out of their seat (and undoubtedly get dirty looks for the noise they're making).

So tell me mums, do you always fold your chair if your child gets out of it or do you keep it unfolded with your shopping in/on it?

But you only have two arms riven, so if you have lots of shopping it is impossible to get on a bus carrying all this (I know cos I've tried).

And I agree with you - I did say wheelchairs take priority over buggies in my post.

well, I did it with 3 under 3, double buggy and shopping. Baby would go over one shoulder, shopping on ground. 2 yo and 1 yo pinned to spot with stern glare. I'd fold it one handed and heave it onto bus then go and fetch shopping. Finally I'd order kids onto bus.
Wasn't easy and some days there was swearing and genrally fedupness but it wasn't impossible.

If the space is free I'd leave the buggy open - back in Malvern 13 years ago there were no low floor buses though. You had to fold them up. Did have one driver watching me struggle and then drive off (which is why kids always went on last)
To be honest, I'd bus to shops and walk the 3 miles back failry often with 2yo dd walking. I was thinner in those days

I'm that anyone would refuse to move for a wheelchair.

When Ds was tiny we either put him in the sling to go on buses or we used the wheelchair space if it was free, but would have folded in seconds if a wheelchair needed to get on.

Now he's walking I almost always fold the buggy unless the bus is very empty or he's asleep.

Some of the newer Bristol buses have wheelchair AND buggy spaces. Now that's progress.

(particularly for bristol, which has shocking bus services... and has only just got the idea about buggy/wheelchair spaces)

Its harder now with just dd and her wheelchair cos the buses never ever ever stop at the raised kerb bit and dd's wheelchair weighs about 23 kg (55 pounds) plus her weight plus shopping. I rarely do it alone though as dh is the main pusher.

yeah, I seen those LittleMy. They haven't reached East Bristol yet. First Bus - motto 'First the Worst'

Well then you're a stronger women than me riven cos I have tried, and failed in the past [puny face]

I agree with you though it's often easier to walk.

used to have muscles like Arnies

I think it's only the 8/9 ones that have those so far.

Still get those old double deckers up near us that don't even have a wheelchair space, and nowhere to actually put a folded buggy either! Showcase Bus Route my arse.

Holding the baby- that's what the driver's there for, surely