Mom Frustrated by Train Passengers Etiquette on 2 Hour Journey with Baby — Criticized Online
A mothers post about struggling for a seat on a crowded train with her baby sparks debate Read how her parenting forum post drew backlash over expectations and public etiquette .
Mom Struggles to Find a Seat on Crowded Train with Toddler
A mother recently shared her frustration on a popular parenting forum Mumsnet after a difficult two hour train journey from Folkestone to London with her baby Despite arriving at the platform two hours early she and her husband found themselves struggling once the hourly train pulled in .
As passengers rushed aboard the couple traveling with their one year old were left trying to navigate the chaos To make matters worse a man with two bikes blocked the entrance to another carriage further restricting their options The mother was eventually forced to carry her 26 pound toddler who has not yet learned to walk while other commuters looked on with impatience .
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Finally Gets a Seat But Ends Up in the Wrong Spot
After some time the mother gathered the courage to ask for a seat She was able to sit down but the spot was located in the communal table section of the train Unfortunately this did not make things easier .
Her toddler excited by the new setting began babbling loudly and drumming on the table treating it as both a play surface and a stage for interaction Fellow passengers who seemed less than charmed by the noise and activity responded with disapproval adding to the mothers stress .
Is It Socially Unacceptable to Travel with Children
Reflecting on the experience the mother posed a bigger question was there an unspoken rule that children shouldnt travel on trains She explained that she does not own a car making public transport her only option for long journeys Her comments suggested frustration at what she felt was a lack of understanding from fellow travelers toward parents with young children .
Online Backlash Over “Special Treatment” Expectations
While some readers sympathized with her situation many forum responses were less forgiving Several commenters argued that the mother seemed to expect special treatment at the expense of other paying passengers .
Some suggested that her husband could have taken turns holding the toddler lessening her burden .
Others pointed out that the real issue is with rail services themselves highlighting overcrowding poor seating availability and the lack of space for strollers and families .
One user bluntly commented “It’s public transport What did you expect Your child does not pay a fare and their buggy took up the space of about 2–3 adults standing… You expected train etiquette to give way to you” .
Another added “Direct your anger at the train company for not providing enough space longer and or more frequent trains not the other travellers Did you expect them all to stop and let you on first or something” .
A third pointed to timing criticizing parents who travel during peak hours “It drives me mad when parents with kids use the trains at rush hour and then act so surprised that the trains are absolutely packed… There’s no train etiquette any more it’s every man and woman for themselves” .
Broader Conversation Transport Parenting and Public Etiquette
- The incident has sparked wider conversation around the intersection of parenting public etiquette and transport limitations .
- Public Transport Limitations Overcrowding infrequent services and the absence of designated buggy spaces create significant stress for families .
- Expectations of Empathy While many passengers acknowledge the difficulties of traveling with children others prioritize personal comfort and express little patience in crowded settings .
- Parental Strategies Some suggested that parents could plan journeys around peak hours or share responsibilities more evenly though many agreed that these solutions do not address the systemic lack of infrastructure for families on trains .
Final Thoughts
The mothers story highlights the tension between individual expectations of courtesy and the collective reality of modern public transport Traveling with a baby is undeniably challenging but so too is commuting on overcrowded trains where space and patience are in short supply .
Her experience serves as a reminder that while empathy goes a long way there is also a pressing need for rail companies to provide better facilities such as family friendly carriages or additional seating options to reduce friction between parents and fellow travelers Until such improvements are made the debate over train etiquette and parenting in public is likely to continue .