I'll turn this thread to where it is eventually going to go.
Having a child is not a disability. Leave the park earlier (before the big crowds); wait for the next bus (so you are the first ones on); drive your own car; or deal with standing.
Is it nice of others to stand for you? Sure (and I probably would). Should you expect it? Nope.
Yikes....I can't believe how this thread has turned.
Here here Nancy! I think you struck the nail on the head!
I think we can all agree on one point....that if you are able to, and you find someone needy, if you give up your seat that's a nice thing to do. However, you can't judge people if they don't. And expecting them to do so just makes you as rude as you think they are because you are being judg-y about your precieved inconvenience
I've now covered pretty much all points mentioned....I have a sleeping baby that I've brought on a full bus. Someone offered me a seat, which was great, between the stroller, the diaper bag, etc. But I didn't expect it. My husband and I usually only sit one of us with the baby if its too crowded for both of us to sit.
However, when I've been at Disney all day, I've had problems with my feet where I wait for the next bus because I literally can't stand anymore, because my feet feel like a thousand hot needles are poking the bottoms and standing is just additional agony. I'm young, in shape and look just fine. So people probably are annoyed. But I don't have to take a cab, I can wait for a bus where I sit and you know what? On those days, I'm not giving up my seat to anyone and my husband wouldn't let me, just knowing how I'm feeling. It doesn't make me overly entitled, insensitive or inconsiderate.
As for the pregnant thing, I've gone to Disney pregnant twice, the second time I was 6 months pregnant. I could stand just fine and certainly didn't expect anyone to jump up for me. But it doesn't mean its not appreciated, because while pregnant, you do get tired and things just hurt. Its nice to take that load off. But it didn't mean I shouldn't be at the parks just because I did enjoy this sitting time. Because you can spend your time at the park, just looking at stuff, eating, and walking around, not straining yourself, not doing the parks "death march style"
As for the snowflake children, I know exactly what ya'll are talking about. Its unfortunate, but it happens. So you teach your child not to be like that. I'm not moving so some 8 year old can sit and play DS. And you can bet that I wouldn't let my son do that in a million years. But hey, maybe that kid has a reason they need to be sitting.
But that sense of entitlement runs both ways and that's the unfortunate reality. Cause the truth is, no one is anymore entitled than anyone else, I don't care what the story it. There are simply the circumstances.
And really, what is it 20 minutes out of your life? Is it worth all this aggravation?
But that sense of entitlement runs both ways and that's the unfortunate reality. Cause the truth is, no one is anymore entitled than anyone else, I don't care what the story it. There are simply the circumstances.
I have only skimmed a couple of the pages of responses but I have never expected anyone to stand for my dd (nearly 4) or me. She has been happily standing on buses and holding on since she was about 18 months old. When she was younger I would have a firm grip on her but she has been able to hold on with 2 hands with me only keeping a gentle hand on for a long time now.
I find it interesting that people can play in the parks all day but then suddenly when the buses come everyone needs to sit down? Children won't break if they stand on a bus.
My family often gets up for other people, be that elderly, moms with babies or parents holding sleeping kids...but I have to honestly say, just because I see a child does not mean I automatically stand up and give up my seat. I mean there are kids on every bus its Disney after all. Everyone is exhausted and deserves to sit if they can. I guess I would not get on a bus if I felt that it was so packed already that it was "too unsafe for my child" to be able to stand and hold onto the metal bar on each seat or one of the upright poles. Again, we often do get up, but for every standing child, that would mean we would never sit......
another person who rents a car to avoid exactly this scenario.
I guess I have a different view of what is fun on vacation. For me... being so dog-tired that I can't even stay awake on a bus isn't fun. Does that mean skipping some things ? Absolutely. We all have more fun that way. Our kids don't feel like they missed out when they wake up the next morning skipping to our destination... they just know they are in a good mood and can't wait to find out what the plan is.
Don't accuse me of projecting, I'm just sharing our travel style. For us, it has gone a long way in all of us enjoying ourselves instead of cranky, overtired, miserable kids. Somtimes less truly is more!
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It has nothing to do with children needing a break. It has to do with safety. I am glad that you let your 18 month old stand on a bus but I would avoid doing that at all costs. It is not as safe as sitting in a seat. Of course, if my kids need a seat I wait for the next bus to make sure they have one. I don't rely on the kindness of strangers. It is however nice when someone is actually kind though.
I stood until almost half way back when finally a man asked his son to stand so that I could sit. I guess he saw how tired my arms were getting. How about that for manners, the man would not even stand he wanted his son around 10 or 11 to stand.
I've enjoyed reading this thread.
The sense of entitlement of some people is amazing. This one perhaps takes the cake. People have been complaining that people let their children sit while adults stand... and yet when this guy asks his son to stand for you, you criticize him for not giving up his own seat. Did you want both seats?
And, for what it's worth, before you judge the guy too harshly, if his 10yo is anything like my 9yo, he was probably begging to stand even if the bus was empty. Standing on the bus was one of the "coolest rides" for my 9yo, but I only let him do it if someone else needed the seat.
I have one even better, last year when we were there my son fell asleep and I had to take him out of the stroller to hold him on the bus, and only one person offered me there seat. This was an elderly woman who I felt bad taking her seat because she also looked like she needed to sit. My husband was going to hold my son, but I was afraid he would wake up if I moved him. I stood until almost half way back when finally a man asked his son to stand so that I could sit. I guess he saw how tired my arms were getting. How about that for manners, the man would not even stand he wanted his son around 10 or 11 to stand.