Should kids show respect for adults on buses?

[krissylynne]

This is a topic that has been brought up a few times lately. I have a pet peeve. When our family has used bus transportation and the bus gets full, We always have our daughter sit in our lap or stand up to make room for another adult. I sometimes feel we are the only famililies that do this. There have been times when myself or my husband get up so one of our elders can sit down. So often you see kids sitting down when there are several adults and older people standing. That is just not right. What is everyone elses take on this. Am I just old fashioned or do we have more and more families who dont practice common maners anymore?


Krissylynne

 

[pigget74]

We do the same. Especially if it is an older person or mom with younger child.

 

[mmeads4]

I totally agree with you. I teach my 4 year old and 2 year old to show respect for others. I was taught as a Christian J-O-Y (Jesus, Others, You) and when you do this you have that inner joy.
It is so important to teach our children respect for others!

 

[krissylynne]

I am thrilled that there are others that feel the same way. I hope we can pay it forward.

Krissylynne

 

[MomofKatie]

I think kids should show respect to adults everywhere!!! Seems like it's getting more and more scarce these days.

 

[disneyjunkie]

My son offers his seat to others. However,there are times that it annoys me.

After a long day in the parks, we don't want to stand on the bus. If the bus is crowded when we reach the doors, we step to side and let others on. We'd rather wait for the next bus than stand.

I'll never understand why others won't wait for the next bus or take a taxi (we've done both) back to the resort. If you know you need to sit, why get on a crowded bus?

 

[tmt martins]

I agree to a point but along with that if someones really wants to sit then they could wait for the next bus.

Sometimes it's really hard after running from 7:00am until 2:00 am at the parks to give up that much desired seat.

Same thing when DD was smaller if we wanted to sit after a long day we would just wait for the next bus and let other go in front of us to stand.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

Our kids aren't allowed to sitdown if there are adults that have to stand up. This applies to restaurant waiting areas, busses, ect. If they complain that they are tired or can't stand we let them sit on our laps.

 

[Nienor]

ok, I guess I'll take the unpopular stance.

For safety reasons I'd rather see kids sit and adults stand. Not all children are small enough to comfortably sit on people's laps (7 and up), but neither are they tall enough to reach the overhead straps/bar to hang onto. The buses often make rather sharp turns. In some spots on the bus there is no vertical handrail to hold onto, particularly if you are near a wheelchair accessible area. If the bus made a left or went fast around a curve a child could be pitched to the side. It's hard enough for adults to hang on sometimes let alone somebody who can't get a good grip.

Frequently on buses, I gave my seat to a kid who was too big to sit on somebody's lap, or those laps were already full. A healthy adult can stand just fine, but I didn't think it was reasonable for somebody who would have a hard time holding on to have to stand. To me that would include anyone elderly, pregnant or under about 5 foot tall. I would give up my seat for somebody who looks like they need it, but for reasons of safety I wouldn't make my 6 year old son. (who is 4"4 & 70 pounds and not sitting on my lap. lol)

 

[Schmeck]

My children used to love to stand on the bus, until they both got hurt by the adults slamming into them when the bus was overcrowded. Their feet got bruised, and one daughter got a bruise on her ribcage as well. Now, we wait for the next bus if we can't have a seat. I don't expect anyone to give up their seat for me, or my children.

Why would a kid have to stand for a healthy adult? If you want to sit, wait for the next bus! We're all tired after a full day at the parks, we're all equal in this country, and no one deserves a seat more than someone else.

 

[alloyd1170]

We hold our kids in our lap when seats fill up. At 1 and 4 I dont think it would be safe for them to stand up, pus I welcome any cuddle time with them these days! Even a little older I would still worry about the bus slamming on brakes and kids flying by, especially after going all day and being tired. If we absolutely have to stand, I try to position myself so that my 4 yr old is braced by me near a pole. I would wait for the next bus if my kids could handle waiting longer. Thankfully when we went the other week the buses werent that crowded. I dont know how I wouldve managed standing and holding a 1 yr old and a stroller! Thank you to those who do give up their seats for moms like me!

alison

 

[Deb & Bill]

Respect is a two way street. Adults also need to show children respect.

 

[SusanMomOf2]

When the buses are crowded and it's late and we're tired... manners are one of the last things on my mind... heh. Of course, there's always the exception that I'd make room for elderly and pregnant people.

I think people are just glad to be on a bus getting somewhere even if they have to stand.

I think they need more buses!

 

[MinnieGi]

For safety reasons I make sure our kids have a seat. Actually DH and I make sure the kids around are seated on the bus. If not we offer our seat. DH and I can stand without a problem. We also do the same for any elderly or pregnant women.

 

[vhoffman]

Why should an able bodied adult (and I think if you're able to get around Disney all day you're able-bodied), expect a small child to give him their seat? Like others have pointed out, the child needs the seat more than the adult, the child can't reach any safety strap or bar and isn't strong enough to brace himself in the event of a sudden stop or sharp turn. A child's safety comes over an adult's comfort. If that's lack of respect, so be it! If you're a parent on a bus with a small child and think a standing passenger deserves a seat, why don't you give up your seat, not ask your child to do so?

 

[Bonnie151]

Why should an able bodied adult (and I think if you're able to get around Disney all day you're able-bodied), expect a small child to give him their seat? Like others have pointed out, the child needs the seat more than the adult, the child can't reach any safety strap or bar and isn't strong enough to brace himself in the event of a sudden stop or sharp turn. A child's safety comes over an adult's comfort. If that's lack of respect, so be it! If you're a parent on a bus with a small child and think a standing passenger deserves a seat, why don't you give up your seat, not ask your child to do so?

I completely agree. Where I live, the public transport has seats up front with extra room and signs asking people to give them up for: the elderly, disabled and CHILDREN. There's no way I'd accept a seat from a child, nor would I expect one of my children to give up their seat for any able bodied adult (I would offer seats for the elderly, disabled or pregnant). I would take my 16 month on my lap, but it's far more dangerous for my 4 year old to be standing on a bus than a perfectly healthy adult.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I think kids should show respect to adults everywhere!!! Seems like it's getting more and more scarce these days.

For real. Turn the question around and it would be, "Should kids show disrespect to adults on buses?" I think kids should always be respectful of adults.

 

[bicker]

Please, please, please: NEVER let your children stand on a movie bus, and always make them sit in their own seat (or on the floor). Busses are very dangerous for children. The lower they are, the safer they are. The added risk from sitting a child on a parent's lap is NOT WORTH IT. This is our children we're talking about. Their safety is most important.

Children shouldn't cuss at adults. That's a matter of respect. Children should sit in their own seats. That's a matter of safety.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Children shouldn't cuss at adults. That's a matter of respect. Children should sit in their own seats. That's a matter of safety.

So true!!!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

As a Mom of 3 small children (4,2,1) I will not make my kids stand on a bus. It is unsafe. We have waited for the next bus if we couldn't get a seat. I also cannot fit 3 children on my lap since dh has to handle our 2 strollers (single and a double). I will however make them scooch close together to make room for another child. I do believe in giving up a seat for the elderly, pregnant, ill, etc. -but- a healthy adult giving up their seat is one thing, my toddler is another thing. If it is a situation like waiting for a table at a restaraunt I of course would make my kids sit on my lap so others could sit or I would get up and give them my space. I am old fashioned in a lot of ways but I will not compromise their safety standing on a bus. Bad enough they aren't in a carseat. JMHO.