Car seating - who should sit where?

[LuncheonInThePark]

I already know I probably am being petty here, but interested in thoughts so it'll maybe stop irritating me (and yes, I know there are more important things to be bothered over!)

Saw a Facebook post saying 'If the husband is driving, who should sit in the front - the wife or the mother'.

Now, I ALWAYS offer my MIL in the front seat, but she always declines and sits with our 11 year old DD.

FIL just automatically goes in the front. If it was him by himself without MIL, I would of course offer (if I was given the chance), but he's straight in there.

I think the reason it bothers me is it comes across as though men in the front, while me, MIL and DD - the women - should be in the back.

How are the car seating dynamics in your family?

I'd always sit in the back for elders

I Always go in the back because I'm smaller. They need the legroom more than I do

My dh usually drives. I usually sit in front. If teens are messing about and go in front, I don’t really care. Always offer front seat to mil/fil/‘my parents.

The people in the back should be the people least likely to be car sick.

Hard relate.

Is it just size of legs or does width of body come into it too? What about a fat, short person? Or is that only relevant if there are three people in the back?

But children aren't supposed to be in the front, are they? And they're more likely to actually throw up whereas most adults grow out of throwing up and just 'feel' sick.
(Yes, I know not all adults and there are some on here who still throw up).

I always give up the front seat for my 6,4" ds

I would always offer the front seat to my mum or PIL, I think its just because they're older and it offers a bit more comfort. My mum especially loves the heated seat in my car! When we go out with our adult sons, I always sit in the back as I'm much smaller than them!

How much older than you do they need to be?
Old enough that you'd give them your seat on the bus or just a bit older than you?

If my father was involved, he'd have the front seat, because long legs and dodgy knees.

If FiL is involved, probably me in the front. BUT i often duck out of those trips, and DH takes FiL, MiL and both kids (or its 2 cars). No idea who sits where then.

It depends on the needs of the passenger. For example BIL gets car sick in the back so I offer him the front. GFIL has mobility issues so the front is much easier. If the passenger has no issues they go in the back.

When DD was little then whichever parent wasn't driving sat in the back.

No DD is older, it's whoever needs the leg room is in the front ( which is never DP, because she's a flipping hobbit)

Given you don’t seem to have ever actually said anything Op, they probably just think that it’s your preference.

Presumably sometimes you have got in the car before your FIL and have selected the back seat

Whoever has the longest legs (or mobility issues) goes in the front. Daughter's boyfriend was initially shocked that I gave up the front seat for him but he's well over six foot and I'm not.

Very similar dynamics in my family as @LuncheonInThePark and fil would absolutely consider it his entitlement. But it’s easier on everyone to put him up there, where only dh has to deal with him.

I’d offer any of our dps the seat because of mobility issues but it’s nice when they at least pretend it’s my seat to offer, not theirs to take.

That isn't generally true. Being able to see the direction you are travelling in helps with car sickness, so sitting in the front seat or the middle of the back is better.

Is it just size of legs or does width of body come into it too? What about a fat, short person? Or is that only relevant if there are three people in the back?

You're right @Gwenhwyfar
I have a very overweight relative and when I have a car full she always sits in the front because I wouldn't be able to fit three across the back seat if she was in the back.

If the old guy makes a bee line for the front seat I wouldn't really mind at all.
Being courteous I d let the MIL sit in the front anytime. I'd expect the DP to return the favour with my folks, but won't give it a great deal of thought. 😁

I offer my Dad and FIL the front seat. Mum & MIL usually get in the back.

It’s mainly down to size though, as both men are approx 6ft, both mums are under 5ft.

I still make DS sit in the back though who is also 6ft 🤔

Oldest female.

I pay towards car so in front with DH

Totally depends on who is driving and where people fit. If father in law is driving my dh sits next to him and chats football as he is tall unless my poor mil leg is having a bad day and she can't sit in the back due to severe pain. If dh is driving dfil car I sit next to dh unless dear mil leg is bad which until the last 6 months was rare...she on strong painkillers and never says anything so if she really bad we know....she likes to sit next to my dd in the back of she can singing songs. Mil I know has sat in back in severe pain previously but sadly her twisted spine and severe pain means she needs the front seat more. Last time she demanded she was ok to get into the back she and I ended up in a&e for pain relief and X-ray due to her severe pain and she reluctantly let me put her into a wheelchair. So the answer to your question is depends who's driving, health and size of person. Just what works at that time

I will not sit in the back of a car I own. Full fucking stop.

I feel like there’s some inherent sexism in your DH always driving. Why don’t you drive, then DH can battle FIL for the front seat.😂

How bizarre. If it's your car, why don't you just drive?