Thursday, 15 April 2010

"Baby on Board" badge...brilliant!!!

The most extraordinary thing happened yesturday.

My journey to work was a familiar one...standing whilst those comfy buggers in a seat looked anywhere but at my bump. Me squashed like a sardine, one arm protecting the bump, the other grasping the pole. Me too shy to look anyone pleadingly in the eye, to embarrassed to ask politely for a seat, despite the rush of blood draining from my head! (interestingly when someone does offer me a seat I feel I have to ham my pregnancy up - you know, rub the tummy, drink lots of water. Justify my need to be seated on an overcrowded baking hot underground). Enough is enough I thought.

So I got a 'Baby On Board' badge from the station.

Well would you Adam and Eve it. My journey home last night was a whole different experience. I felt like Cagny and Lacey flashing my badge. "Yes, look, I need a seat, see I have a badge."

Both trains I got on, I went straight to the priority seat and asked very politely if I could sit there. Both times my request was honored with a smile. Wow wee, I didn't know I had it in me.

I do hope this wasn't cadets luck!

I urge any mums to be out there. If you travel by tube, get yourself a badge. 

26 comments:

make do mum said...

I had one of these when I was pregnant but I never wore it (I didn't end up doing much commuting, I might have worn it if I did). Glad to hear that it works.
There are people that say they don't like to offer a seat to a woman in case she turns out to be overweight and not pregnant - the badge makes it clear for them.
(I've kept mine for K's keepsake box!)

JulieB said...

Wow, what a great idea - I don't think this would have occurred to me (or maybe I wouldn't have been brave enough to try it). It really makes me angry when people don't give up their seats - I was always told as a child to offer a seat to anyone that might need it, and I try and instill that in my own children. It doesn't take much, but is such an act of human kindness.

Magic Mummy said...

What a fab idea - Hope it makes your life easier (even just a little bit, it all helps lol)

PhotoPuddle said...

I have seen these but never got one. Perhaps I would have done if I'd known it's magic power!

Magic Mummy said...

Forgot to say - there's an award for you over at mine....

http://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/2010/04/too-much-information.html

TheMadHouse said...

Well done on getting one, commuting was one thing I really hated when pregnant

Mummy's Little Monkey said...

I didn't even know these existed!!!! Thankfully I don't use the tube much anymore. When I have used it while pregnant people have been pretty accommodating - although there were a few occasions when I had to stand right in front of a young,able-bodied fellow purposely parading my bump in their face until they felt so uncomfortable they had to move!! It's amazing how bolshy you can get when you're heavily pregnant, hot, tired, and your back is killing you, right??? xx

Mummy Bear said...

Hi make do mum
Yes I have to say i have been in that situation before. I have scrutinised the woman, looking for clues like maternity waist bands on her jeans!

Mummy Bear said...

Hi Julie B
I remember once and old man was standing on the tube, with a stick and his eye in bandages. He was obviously struggling to stay balanced yet no one offered him a seat. I was so upset. I still kick myself to this day for not speaking up and asking someone to stand for him (I by the way was standing!!!!)

Mummy Bear said...

Hi magic Mummy
Thanks so much for the award...I will whizz on over and have a look...pop the kettle on!

Mummy Bear said...

Hi Photo puddle
I know. I didn't get one the first time as I was too shy to wear it, but a friend was wearing one and she said she always got a seat...its like it gave me this unknown confidence to ask for a seat!!!!

Mummy Bear said...

Hi The Mad House
I have to say its the worse thing....being at work is fine, but by the time you get home you are frazzled from the commute...wish there was a bus I could get!

Mummy Bear said...

Hi Mummys little monkey
EXACTLY...I just think to myself...well I can stand, yes, but if I faint, which is likely as its baking hot in here and crowded, then someone will pull the emergency button and you will all be delayed an hour! Your choice!

teawithonesugarplease said...

I could never get one of these badges last year - went and asked at 3 tube stations. So well done for getting one. With the twins I got given up seats all the time. But with solo baby noone ever did but it was winter and I had coat on so not as obvious. Yes passing out underground is just the worst thing ever - sips of water helps

Alice said...

Grrr, it really frustrates me now I'm obviously quite pregnant and commuters don't offer their seat! Most of the travellers on the train are middle-aged business men travelling to Moorgate who should really know better! I travel on the District line sometimes which is very nasty in the morning, I need to get me one of those badges for those occasions x

Glowstars said...

The badges are good but I found you still had to have the guts to speak up and ask for a seat.

Muddling Along Mummy said...

I couldn't bear to wear my badge when commuting - and to be honest it never worked on the train, best thing was fainting, did it regularly and people began to know to stay out of the way or offer me a seat !

Mummy Bear said...

Hi tea with one sugar
I got mine from Hyde park Corner so I think its central stations...yes I make sure I always have water with me! And trainers on my feet!

Mummy Bear said...

Hi Alice
Yes do get a badge...it really has boosted my confidence to as...see i find its mostly young women reluctant to give up their seats...

Mummy Bear said...

Hi Glowstars
Yes I have to say I was really embarrassed asking but wearing the badge was like a confidence push I needed!

marketingtomilk said...

God i wish i had known about these. I used to get the tram back every day from work and noone would ever give me a seat. I'd be enormous, so obviously pregnant and i would just feel so embarrassed. Too embarrassed to ever ask for seat. i'd act as if i didn't care. Not even sure why.

http://marketingtomilk.wordpress.com

Belgravia wife - sort of said...

Hi there - I love the Cagney and Lacey analogy and I love your daughter's white dress. If it is of any consolation - I'm just reading your previous post, I was SuperWoman with my two boys and Starbucks panini snarfing she-devil with my daughter. I do hope you encounter some lovely manners on the train xx

Mummy Bear said...

Hi Marketing to milk
Its funny how we have a tendancy to act like it doesn't matter...like we are too embarrassed to admit we need to sit down!

Mummy Bear said...

Hi Belgravia wife
Oh thank you I do hope so too!

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