Baby on board badge- be kind to others whoever they are

Baby on board badge and kindness to everyone

I have been prompted to write this article after being told about the “Baby on Board” badge that expectant mums can apply, as newly expectant mum Louise is demonstrating. Badges like this are also from Transport for London and some other train operators.

I thought what a great idea. It would mean that even when their baby bump is not showing they may get offered a seat on a crowded train or bus. Unfortunately this does not always seem to be the case, looking at some of the articles I have read when I did a search on Google.

Be kind

So disappointing. Kindness does not cost anything. Whether it is woman who is pregnant or a man or woman who needs to sit down because they are unwell, injured or elderly, we all should have the good grace and be generous enough to give up our seat for someone less able.

After all it may be us one day that needs a little help. And if someone is telling a porky pie… well I am optimistic enough to think that most people wouldn’t dream of lying about wearing a Baby on Board badge anyway. And if they did – well that’s up to them.

Opinions don’t always matter

And for those who think the Baby on Board Badge is a stupid idea – that’s fine too. Everyone has the right to an opinion, voicing it to make others feel awkward I don’t go along with. And of course you don’t have to wear a Baby on Board Badge if you don’t want to.

Do you really need to push and shove

This reminded me of an incident which took place last summer. I was on the underground travelling to Marylebone on a busy tube train. It was warm not sweltering, thankfully and the tube was busy not jammed.

I grabbed a seat and sat down. At the next stop a woman got onto the train and sat down beside me. After a couple of moments I realised that she was very upset. She was gulping water from a bottle and the tears were running down her face. On closer inspection I wondered whether she was pregnant. Although I could not be sure.

I asked her if she was alright. Stupid question because clearly she wasn’t. I then followed this up by was there anything I could do.

The tears continued. And to be fair a few other passengers looked concerned. Eventually I struck up a conversation with her and she explained she had been jostled by someone who had elbowed her in the tummy. And yes my first thoughts were right, she was pregnant.

Think of others

Now I would hope it was an accident. And this very unfortunate incident was caused by the general melee of people pushing to get on the tube rather than it being a conscious act of aggression. But whatever it was caused by, it was people not showing kindness and consideration to others around them.

I do hope that lady was OK and now has a happy healthy bouncing baby. And if anyone is reading this and about to get on a busy train or bus please be kind and think of other passengers who may not be as fighting fit or able as you.