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Original poster

When did you start sitting in the front passenger seat again post baby?

254 replies

user11290 · 12/02/2025 15:41

Hi,

Just curious as to when you started sitting in the front passenger seat when you go out as a family, after having a baby?

Obviously it's different if you're actually driving. But for those that don't drive/allow someone else to drive - when did you start sitting in the front passenger seat again?

DD is 14 months and I sit in the back together but I do sometimes miss sitting in the front with my partner as I feel as though the 'room mate' phase has extended to car journeys too.

Not sure if I'm being selfish but just curious!

OP posts:
SockQueen · 12/02/2025 21:35

With DS1 I sat in the back a fair bit, especially for short journeys - it was not so comfortable for longer trips so I think I switched to the front. DH gets car sick so would always sit in the front. I think I continued occasional back seat rides until DS2 was born (2.5 years!)

For poor DS2, I never sat in the back, as there wasn't space with two car seats.

polinkhausive · 12/02/2025 21:37

SnoopysHoose · 12/02/2025 21:32

I think I have only driven the kids on my own once or twice and my older one is 8!
Curious as to why you take have them alone in car with you?

Not sure if I am understanding the question but basically we live in central London, we don't own a car, all of our day to day journeys are on foot, bike or public transport.

We rent cars for longer trips, holidays or more awkward journeys and for those we would usually all be together. Once or twice I have ended up on my own with the kids on a short drive, I can't even remember why now but I do remember thinking, this is weird, don't do this a lot!

SnoopysHoose · 12/02/2025 21:55

Ah ok, maybe if you'd said you don't know a car it would have been more relevant of a reply.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Families
BeavisMcTavish · 12/02/2025 21:55

Wow, my wife wasn’t in the back on the way home from the hospital and don’t know anyone who’s sat in the back. I’m not a taxi driver so I don’t imagine it would ever have happened for any length of time in any case.

TeenLifeMum · 12/02/2025 21:58

Dd1 - Sat in the back once in way home from hospital (I did other mad things like take dd room to room with me even if she was settled).

dtd - never as dd1 was also in the back so no space for me with a toddler and 2 babies.

PurpleChrayn · 12/02/2025 22:00

Eh? Front seat from Day 1.

ICanTellYouMissMe · 12/02/2025 22:01

Sorry but this made me laugh so much 😂😂

Have you never noticed that literally every other adult on the planet sits in the front by default?!

WimbyAce · 12/02/2025 22:04

Think I must have missed the memo as never sat in the back!

ScaryM0nster · 12/02/2025 22:04

Never routinely sat in the back, and we had a 40 min drive home from hospital and were both kept in a few days.

One of us occasionally sits in the back, generally on longer trips where she’s upset, or needing to be fed a meal, or poked to stay awake. Not routinely though.

Have a mirror on the headrest so can see her.

Namechange6578 · 12/02/2025 22:17

DanceMumTaxi · 12/02/2025 21:24

On the way back from hospital. I didn’t realise people sat in the back until I saw it on here.

Me too, I never even considered it as a thing!

RitaFromTheRanch · 12/02/2025 22:27

What? I never once sat in the back. I had no idea people did this.

MagnoliaGirlie · 12/02/2025 22:29

After about 1 year or so with my first. They're a very sensitive child and car journeys were hard! It was easier to be there, and also I didn't drive then. I've since learned to drive and have a 2nd child. Thing is with 2 car seats, there is no room for me to sit at the back, even when I'm not driving. The kids keep each other company and I can sit at the front in peace (ish) :)

seven201 · 12/02/2025 22:30

My dd hates the car so for long journeys my & 8 year old goes in the front and one of us sits in the back, as the 8 year old gets fed up trying to calm the screaming 1 and a bit year old. But other than that the other adult sits in the front.

MagnoliaGirlie · 12/02/2025 22:30

user11290 · 12/02/2025 15:44

Oh dear perhaps there's something wrong with me then 😂.

Now that I've sat in the back for fourteen months would DD feel neglected/lonely if I sat in the front?

Sorry stupid I know :/ my brain is riddled with anxiety when it comes to things like this

Nothing wrong with you! You do what you think is best for you and your child. We all go to great lengths to give our kids our best, and that looks different for every family.

LovelySunnyDayToday · 13/02/2025 04:13

Eh?

RedOnyx · 13/02/2025 05:46

DangerMouseAndPenfoldx · 12/02/2025 21:10

A (genuine) those who have sat in the back all along and whose kids are older … I think some have said 3, 5, even 9 … when do you envisage stopping?

I assume you don’t picture you and your 18 or 19 year old still sat in the back seat, with your OH driving you both around like a chauffeur service. But what is the catalyst for the change, and at what age?

Edited

If we have a second I'll stop then because there won't really be room, and they can keep each other company. Otherwise I haven't really thought about it. We're only in a car maybe 3-4 times a year though. Even bringing my daughter home from hospital was a 1.5 hour drive because she had to be born at a specific one with certain specialists.

WhatWasPromised · 13/02/2025 06:15

Frooogal · 12/02/2025 21:09

This has made me laugh. We don’t have a car, so only drive with the kids if with a grandparent. Which means I’m in the back between an almost 4 and almost 2 year old. I’m currently 8 months pregnant, so can assure you all it’s quite possible to squeeze in the middle back seat of a small hatchback, if you so wish. Don’t particularly recommend it though! 😂

Funnily enough, when we do get a car, I’d still be keen to sit next to my PFB. But that’s mainly because he’s travel sick and gives zero pile warning, so good to have someone on hand with a plastic bag.

I have never owned a car where I could’ve done this, I’m a size 14 and my arse does not fit between an isofix base and a car seat

BlondiePortz · 13/02/2025 06:17

Immediately why on earth wouldn't I have?

GretchenWienersHair · 13/02/2025 06:17

Day 0! I’ve never sat in the back. Is that the norm?

letthemeatcakes · 13/02/2025 06:17

littleluncheon · 12/02/2025 15:46

First baby 3 months, 3rd baby probably 3 days!

No no no, 1st baby 3 months, 2nd baby 3 days, 3rd baby 3 minutes Grin

Sherararara · 13/02/2025 06:17

What an odd question

rach7979 · 13/02/2025 06:21

The day after they were born I went to the front seat!

Laoise542 · 13/02/2025 06:25

I've never sat in the back with mine, didn't even occur to me to. And I don't get they'll feel lonely or neglected in the back, I'm literally less than a metre away in the front of the car still talking to them! I do think you're overthinking this.

Frooogal · 13/02/2025 06:46

WhatWasPromised · 13/02/2025 06:15

I have never owned a car where I could’ve done this, I’m a size 14 and my arse does not fit between an isofix base and a car seat

Show quote history

The exit, in particular, is a sight to behold. 😂😂😂

EarlierDistraction · 13/02/2025 06:48

I did for the first few days, but the back is cramped and I have to crane my neck to see out the front or I feel travel sick. We did get a little mirror though. I think the logic was that a lot of the time there was only going to be me in the car as DH only had two weeks off work so they would be in the back on their own most of the time anyway.