To say MIL not sleeping on new sofa when it arrives?

@Starry4321 So why did you buy a sofa bed rather than just a sofa if you were worried about the fact that sleeping on it would make it a less good sofa? We have sofas that do not turn in to beds for this very reason.

Is this a sofa bed or just a sofa?

@Starry4321 I wouldn't like this on my new sofa either but as your options are few, I would either buy a stretchy sofa cover from Dunhelm and put that over sofa when making up the bed (also good to use during toddler years) or a proper fold up guest bed with mattress but you will need somewhere to store it. The sofa cushions will be fine in terms if sagging. I think the no dog is totally justified and I have a dog.

I think you should probably cancel the sofa order and look at getting the cushions reshuffled on the old one. We had a great sofa bed in our old house but it didn't fit in our new one when we moved 3 years ago so had to change it. We bought a cream leather one in a charity shop and were talked into buying another smaller one for £20, it needed cleaning and the cushions were a bit thin. We stuffed it with a cut up duvet. It looks fine now and is very comfortable. It was only meant to be temporary but we still have it 3 years later.

I’d just buy a single fold up bed with mattress, I wouldn’t want a guest sleeping on my sofa as I just don’t think it’s very hospitable anyway.

Sofas aren't cheap and it's perfectly reasonable not to want a dirty, smelly dog clambering over something new.

MIL sleeping on it is fine, but also perfectly reasonable to say that the dog needs to stay off it.

New or old i wouldn't be allowing any dog on my sofa, stand your ground on that one, bed with dog or sofa no dog, they are her options.
If she picks sofa i agree with a PP about a mattress cover over the cushions.

A sofa is an expensive object to replace and not one easily replaceable...OneGiddyDuck

A sofa is an object and replaceable. A mother’s comfort and feeling of welcome in your home is emotional and lasting. If MIL is used to sleeping there, feels comfortable, and looks forward to it, maybe this isn’t the hill to die on. Covering it well, setting some rules (like a blanket for the dog), and choosing kindness might go further than protecting a piece of furniture.

I've heard it all now... buy the dog a bed. How about MIL gets someone to check in on her dog and she leaves it at home? How about MIL doesn't actually sleep over in the first place? How about she books herself into a nice B&B or just sleeps on a nice pull out bed instead of ruining a brand new sofa with her pet?
Why does her DIL have to bend over backwards? Why is it up to the DIL to solve? Why isn't her DS trying to sort this? I bet he will get arsey if anything happens to the new sofa .... probably passive aggressively and towards his wife...not at his mother.

Absolute nonsense, in your opinion. ☺️

It’s a sofa made for sitting 🤣

Why didn't you get a sofa bed? Then no person or dog, is sleeping on the outward cover of the sofa, but on the purpose made inner part suitable for sleeping on.

I used to have this. I ended up putting a ban on everyone sleeping over at our house. That is for everyone (friends & family). I have two kids. They have their own rooms. They don't give up their space for anyone (they aren't expected to). We don't have space for a pop up bed and my sofa is for sitting on, not sleeping on. I have a kid with additional needs and a teenager going through GCSEs. My DH does shift work. Family are welcome to visit but no one spends the night. I expect you to find someone place else to sleep, just as I would visiting family.
This may be harsh to some people but I had MIL coming to stay every single week. She would then bring over GIL who had dementia and it was awful for everyone (especially gran) all because MIL insisted on seeing her boy (my DH) every single week on his one day off. As a family we had to say enough was enough. She only lived 30 minutes away. 🙄

Why not give her your bed and you stay on the blow up mattress. She is a guest after all?

use a heavy bedspread or several layers of protective fabric between the sofa fabric and the bedding.

It’s not her sofa / it’s the family sofa and you are being daft to buy something for the family that don’t meet all the needs of the whole family

Give her your bed and you sleep on blow up bed in living room (assuming you won't both fit on sofa)

Because its hers. Its new.. and its her sofa.. oh and Its HER NEW sofa!

How big is this sofa that an adult and a big dog can fit on it lying down?

why can’t the dog sleep in the floor next to the sofa?

to avoid smells, get a quilted throw like this
https://amzn.eu/d/6MGxta1

its machine washable and thick enough to absorb smells. Put it under any bed linen you use. Just wash it after every stay.

how often does she stay? The cushions will be fine. Body weight is spread out when lying down so it will be less pressure than sitting on a sofa and you don’t mind people sitting on it.

I would let the dog sleep on it but draw the line at the MIL!
Seriously just buy a mattress protector and put this on the sofa when they sleep on it, it is not a huge issue and easily solved.

No way would I let a slobbery dog on my sofa, never mind a new sofa. Gross.

I don't think it is unreasonable to say you don't want the dog sleeping on your new sofa.

However, I don't see how you can practically stop it if your MIL is determined to sleep with her dog and your partner isn't willing to back you.

I think it would be OK to say, "MIL, I'm not comfortable with the dog sleeping on the new sofa. Partly because it's new, but also because it's not a sofa bed so we can't even put proper bedding on it to protect the upholstery from dog hairs. Would you mind sleeping on the blow up bed instead please?"

Absolute nonsense. Presumably the only thing that would satisfy your absurd requirements would be for everyone to preface their posts with "in my opinion" or "I think". Just silly, and completely unnecessary in a forum that is all about asking for other people's opinions.