Pregnant women, kids and busses...

[my4kids]

Yes, twice and worked in a physical job both times. Like I keep saying simply wait for the next bus, just because you are pregnant does not make you entitled.

Ok, like I said with the first 2 pregnancies, it was not a disability for me either. But by 3 and 4, the muscle tone there was a bit shot and pregnancies 3 and 4 were totally worse. For some women 1 pregnancy might be harder on them than yours was on you. I think it is really small minded to say, it wasn't hard for me, so you should suck it up. Like I said , give a person the benefit of the doubt, if it doesn't hurt your husband to stand, he should STAND. It is called being polite. I can't even believe this is being debated. People are saying "don't judge, you can't tell if they have a problem" but you are judging that all womens pregnancies are just like yours. Don't judge just give a pregnant lady a seat....

 

[emma'smom]

If it was truly torture why didn't you as others have said simply wait for another bus. You chose to get on a standing room only bus and you had to stand so why were you suprised? I don't consider being pregnant a disability either.

Ok..I have to point out the innate flaw in the "just wait for another bus" idea. Let's remember that the 9 month pregnant woman, the older person, (and most frequently) the parent standing holding sleeping children are not sitting just enjoying the evening breeze while they wait for a bust to come 20 minutes later. They are still standing there, still holding the sleeping child who is getting heavier and heavier and heavier (you get my point). It just makes sense to be polite to others when you can be....pay it forward...what goes around comes around...do unto others....etc.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

My DH & DS(14) do stand up.

I'm confused, are you saying your healthy son and husband shouldn't have to give up their seat to a pregnant lady because she is only in that situation for 10 months and you didn't have any problems when you were pregnant? Or am I misreading your post? I was fine standing with my first pregnancy too, but not with my 3rd and 4th. It ws torture for me to try to balance on busses with them....so you see, different pregnant people have hidden issues too, so if you are healthy, just give them the benefit of the doubt, it is called BEING POLITE.

Yes, I would call that misreading my post.

 

[my4kids]

Ok..I have to point out the innate flaw in the "just wait for another bus" idea. Let's remember that the 9 month pregnant woman, the older person, (and most frequently) the parent standing holding sleeping children are not sitting just enjoying the evening breeze while they wait for a bust to come 20 minutes later. They are still standing there, still holding the sleeping child who is getting heavier and heavier and heavier (you get my point). It just makes sense to be polite to others when you can be....pay it forward...what goes around comes around...do unto others....etc.

Thank you. Why the heck should I get off a bus and make my torturous trip longer? What if the next bus is full? There aren't benches at all the stops. Were is the reasoning here? Hannathy's post just sounds like a mean and impolite person.

 

[DaisyD]

Have you been pregnant before?

I have 3 kids and kind of have a little experience in pregnancy. There was no big deal in waiting for another bus if I truly wanted a seat. Most of the time I just stood as pregnancy isn't a disability, even though I sense some milk it for everything they've got. I would never expect someone to get up and give me their seat as they are probably just as tired as I was and therefore JUST as deserving. Because of my own pregnancy experiences I never offer my seat to a pregnant woman. An elderly one, yes. A pregnant one, no.

 

[DaisyD]

Ok..I have to point out the innate flaw in the "just wait for another bus" idea. Let's remember that the 9 month pregnant woman, the older person, (and most frequently) the parent standing holding sleeping children are not sitting just enjoying the evening breeze while they wait for a bust to come 20 minutes later. They are still standing there, still holding the sleeping child who is getting heavier and heavier and heavier (you get my point). It just makes sense to be polite to others when you can be....pay it forward...what goes around comes around...do unto others....etc.

If one gets an attitude because everyone isn't falling all over them offering them seats then yes they should wait for another bus. My mom wouldn't think if having some poor tired stranger give up their seat for her. That is just too inconsiderate on her part as far as she is concerned. She waits for another bus. No big deal. Lets also not forget about taxis. When my mom is very tired we just call a taxi. That is the best way to avoid the buses. For anyone that might be irritated if someone doesn't give up their seats then perhaps they need to save up some taxi money for the trip.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Ok..I have to point out the innate flaw in the "just wait for another bus" idea. Let's remember that the 9 month pregnant woman, the older person, (and most frequently) the parent standing holding sleeping children are not sitting just enjoying the evening breeze while they wait for a bust to come 20 minutes later. They are still standing there, still holding the sleeping child who is getting heavier and heavier and heavier (you get my point). It just makes sense to be polite to others when you can be....pay it forward...what goes around comes around...do unto others....etc.

I couldn't agree with you more on the elderly, the unhealthy, or small kids. I'm not sure I can understand why someone 9 months pregnant would be at WDW. While I was fine to stand when I was pregnant, I knew what I could & couldn't comfortably do. I didn't push myself beyond reasonable limits. Sometimes, we have to take responsibility for our own actions. If a pregnant woman chooses to go to the parks at a late date, more power to her. I hope she has a blast. She shouldn't expect to be treated as though she were handicapped though. These are 2 very different things.

 

[beattyfamily]

Oh boy! I cannot believe this thread on bus/monorail manners and common courtesy is turning into a debate on whether a pregnant woman deserves to be given a seat or not.

Or on whether pregnancy is a big deal or not or on whether some "milk it" or not. Or that I'm more woman because I didn't need a seat.

Who said pregnancy was a disablity? No one that I can see but it can be quite uncomfortable, difficult or tiring etc...there's nothing wrong with admitting that; doesn't mean the mom-to-be is 'milking it' or a wimp.

This thread is really sad and depressing. Thankfully, there still are people out there who think a pregnant woman should sit on a moving bus. I'm one of them.

 

[Hannathy]

Thanks for the name calling just because I disagree with you! I also see that there are a few more "mean and Impolite" posters to add to your list.

 

[noodleknitter]

It is a shame that so people lack compassion for others. I was reared to watch out for and help those who need it, and am glad my kids are learning the same. The world has become so self-centered and "me" centered.

 

[Anthony1971]

I would like to know where all of these husbands are that let pregnant women sit down. My wife is due in about 3 weeks, we both take a train to work and I can tell you men do not get up it is 98% of the time a woman who will offer the seat (if anyone) and from what I have seen in Disney it is the same. I would wait if we want a seat personally but I will also give my seat up to a pregnant lady or elederly in any case BUT there are many times that I have not given up my seat to people with children able to stand (babies are different)
lets all be honest we all want to sit and if we are in a seat it is hard to get us out
I think everyone has good intentions but if what i have read was true then there would not be a pregenant, elderly or person with young child standing at Disney or anywhere else... but there are.. as most have said...
Sorry this is touching a sensitive spot with me but the truth is the truth and day after day I watch my wife wait for the next train to get a seat.....

 

[fakereadhed]

I was referring to the poster who wanted all Moms to teach there son's to give up seats for women just because they are women, which I disagree with.

Last time I went to Disney I was pregnant, but did not show much until my 34wk. I did not carry a sign saying I was pregnant. I don't think there's anything wrong with men showing respect for those in our society that bear children.

While it is the considerate and polite thing to do, no one should ever feel obligated to give up their seat.

ITA! No one is ever obligated to do the right thing. It is their choice.

 

[robinb]

I'm posting without reading what others have said. Why spread the the Bad Karma of sitting and smirking while someone who needs a seat more than you do? That's just silly. Equally silly was boarding a standing room only bus and expecting someone to give up their seat. If you really need a seat you should wait for the next bus.

FWIW, I almost always give up my seat for a pregnant woman or for small kids. I did it yesterday on the bus to the Cubs game. Two women with 6-year old girls got on the bus and I offered the girls my seat. My DD had a great time chatting with them on the ride and I spread some good Karma.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Perhaps, I haven't expressed myself well. I think being pregnant is an honor. I've given up my place in line at the restroom for a pregnant woman many times. As I said, my DH & DS will give up there seat for any woman, as well as many other reasons. We've taught our DS to respect all his elders unconditionally. They don't always sit, when there is a seat. It's no big deal for them to stand, as long as I have a seat. If I can't get a seat, they will surround me helping me to stand. The only people I can reasonably expect to worry about my needs are my DH & DS. I have no expectations of anyone else. My point is that there are many non visible illnesses that are much more incapacitating than being pregnant. We shouldn't automatically expect someone to give up their seats, or think they're being rude because they don't.

 

[fakereadhed]

I feel I have to clarify something. My attitude about giving up seats is not based only on outdated courtesy and hierarchy of who deserves to sit. For me it is a safety issue. If a bus stops suddenly, the little ones, elderly, pregnant ladies go flying- I've seen it happen too many times at WDW. And most healthy men have much better upper arm strength to steady themselves...so in general they should be the first to offer up seats.

Now if anyone wants to go all technical on me and tell me that they are a female body building world champion and stood their entire pregnancy or whatever just know I will not be surprised.

 

[tiff211]

It is nice that in some chivalry is not dead. But in all reality, Disney is not the "real word", not the same as commuting, or transportation that you have to take to work or school or errands. Disney is a LUXURY for ALL, so why should some be inconvenienced and uncomfortable because of the expectations of others? If I had a son, you best believe he would be getting up if the bus was crowded and an elderly, pregnant, or little one was standing. So would DH. But I also think you should make decisions based on your situation so you are most comfortable. We took the bus everyday with our three little ones but made sure we were not the last ones out of the park so as not to be crowded. We also made sure to be at the bus stop in plenty of time so we always had the time to wait if the bus was too crowded. We were always among the first in line. The one night we knew we would be out late, we drove so we did not have to deal with sleeping kids and/or crowded standing room only. Actually, the couple of times we did sit and wait for the next bus, it was relaxing, talking about our plans for the day or going over our favorite parts of the day we had just finished.

 

[mama4]

Oh boy! I cannot believe this thread on bus/monorail manners and common courtesy is turning into a debate on whether a pregnant woman deserves to be given a seat or not.

Or on whether pregnancy is a big deal or not or on whether some "milk it" or not. Or that I'm more woman because I didn't need a seat.

Who said pregnancy was a disablity? No one that I can see but it can be quite uncomfortable, difficult or tiring etc...there's nothing wrong with admitting that; doesn't mean the mom-to-be is 'milking it' or a wimp.

This thread is really sad and depressing. Thankfully, there still are people out there who think a pregnant woman should sit on a moving bus. I'm one of them.

Well said and I also can't believe this debate. I think pregnant women deserve a seat as well. Being pregnant is not a disability but not having great balance and standing while riding a fast moving bus seems dangerous to me (it's not just about the mom's safety but the child she is carrying as well).This also goes for parents trying to hold small children. If they fell, it would be a lot harder to catch themselves if they had a sleeping child in their arms. I could not imagine NOT standing up to give one of these people my seat. I usually have a sleeping child in my arms and if I were to get on the bus and see no seats available, then yes, I would get back off to wait for another bus. It would be no fun trust me, but that's how afraid I'd be to try to stand up holding a sleeping 30 lb toddler on one of those buses. That's why if I were at the World alone or w/ dh (no kids) and I saw a parent holding a sleeping child or a pregnant woman or an elderly person or someone w/ an obvious handicap (u get the idea-i could go on and on) I would stand up and give them my seat without thinking about it for a second- because I know I don't need it as much as they do. Standing a few more minutes on the bus to get back to the resort isn't that big of a deal to me unless i have a safety/health issue-I'd rather know I may be preventing someone else or their child from getting hurt.

 

[taximomfor4]

I also think if people are having to stand that parents could put their 3, 4, 5 even 6 y/o on their laps so others can have a seat. Last year I was having to stand with our 3 month old DD. While young children had seats to themselves that could easily sit on the parent's lap. Finally a man at the back of the bus motioned for me to take his seat. DH was having to hold onto our stroller and other 2 kids 5 & 8 to make sure they wouldn't fall down. We have never allowed our kids to have a seat to themselves when others are having to stand.

I say this every time this topic comes up. Some of us have our very logical reasons for NOT putting our kids on our laps. We personally are outnumbered by our kids and if I had to hold one of them, I would not have arms free to grab the other 2. With them in seats, I can quickly throw an arm across their chests. Trust me, we have tried it both ways. When my special needs (invisible disabilities) 7yo dd ended up flattened on the floor because I held dd2 (on my lap)with one hand and grabbed ds5 with the other. We are one of those families that waits till the next bus till every one of us has a seat. My children (except dd12) at this point are NOT allowed to stand. Not because we don't teach them manners, but because I teach them that safety comes first.

 

[taximomfor4]

.or if you have a child that has a balance problem etc...teach them to politely apologize that they can't give up their seat...maybe someone nearby will over hear and help the person out.

I spend lots of extra effort NOT letting my special needs dd know that her issues are a disability. I discuss it hardly ever, and have NEVER taught her to tell people about it, not even that there IS an issue. Right now, in her formative years, I want her to know that everyone is different. I do NOT want to tell her, yet, that some of her differences are actually problems. So no, I will not have her tell strangers on a bus that she would stand if she didn't have balance issues (or motor delay, or impaired vision, or a seizure problem, or ...)

We wait for a bus. If there are no seats, we sit on our towels on the cement in the busline, and wait for the next one. We don't tell the kids WHY we all need seats (see my previous post when we could not physically hold our kids onto the seats when we each had a young one on our lap). We just wait till there is a bus with seats, then we get on and sit down. If someone obviously in need of a seat comes on, dh gives up his seat. I don't because I need my arms to restrain the children in their seats when the bus swerves and turns tightly.

I do understand the frustration when standing on a bus. I have done it. We figured out a way to avoid the frustration, and we ignore the dirty looks we get for not holding our children on our laps. Nobody had our exact experiences except us, so nobody has been led to make the same decisions as us, for the reasons we have.

 

[robinb]

If you are waiting in line and see a bus filling, you always have the option of waiting for the next bus to arrive.

Courtesy goes both ways.

Anne:

I have never heard the argument to wait for the next bus put so well. This is, as Oprah says, a "light bulb moment" for me. In many ways it is just as discourteous to board a standing room only bus in need of a seat and expect someone else to give up their seat as it is for someone who is able-bodied to remain seated when someone in need of a seat boards. IMO, both acts are rude and selfish.