Who sits in the front seat? MIL with her son or his wife?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would typically offer MIL or FIL the front seat out of respect. Same with my parents. One of them may or may not accept. It is incredibly rude for your MIL to always insist.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think in theory it's like, who cares?! But in reality, a MIL who insists she sit in the front and DH doesn't mind, it is weird. I've seen it twice, and in both cases the MIL believed she was more important than the wife. In those instances, I believe it's wrong.

Not playing ridiculous games like this. Drop the rope.

[Anonymous]

Back seat is safer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always let an older person sit in the front because it's generally more comfortable.

+1 And in some vehicles it's a bit easier to get in and out from the front passenger seat.

Of course the OP is talking about an MIL insisting on riding in front. It's all about how it's done. Does she insist like she's a queen and the matriarch? Rude. Does she actually tell OP to get out of the seat so MIL can have it? Beyond rude. Or...does DH offer the seat to his mom as everyone is heading to the car? Not really an issue, to me.

[Anonymous]

OP, why don't you drive and your husband and his mom can sit wherever they want?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious how this is in your families. My MiL insists on sitting in the front next to her son (my husband). My husband sees nothing wrong with that.

Everyday stuff? They live near you and you see them frequently? Then it's silly for her to "insist" and silly for DH to cave. She should never turf you out if you're already in the seat and she's being picked up, for instance.

They live farther away and DH doesn't see them a lot? Then giving her the front seat is a nice way to encourage him and her to chat to each other and catch up. Visiting time. In that case, it's a nice gesture on your part-- BUT she should not be doing any insisting or act as if it's a God-given right.

I spent 25 years of visits to my DH's home country riding in the back seat of rental cars so MIL or FIL could ride in front with DH, who had to do all the driving there. It was fine. He only saw them once or twice a year at that point, so I wanted them to be able to chat during drives. Sometimes I'd ride up front especially if it was late in the day and MIL might need a nap on the drive home from an outing. But....also, MIL was not an "insisting," demanding person, which made it all the more pleasant to give up seats and time for her. I miss her when I read stuff like OP's post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always let an older person sit in the front because it's generally more comfortable.

this

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious how this is in your families. My MiL insists on sitting in the front next to her son (my husband). My husband sees nothing wrong with that.

what is wrong with it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always let an older person sit in the front because it's generally more comfortable.

this

Same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MiL in the back center between the kids by her choice. She always declines the front seat

Same. I always offer her front though since she is old and portly and there is more room. She always declines. I would feel rude not to offer and would genuinely not mind if she took me up on the offer. However, I would also find it rude if she insisted I sit in the back without being offered

[Anonymous]

My MIL insists she gets the front passenger seat.

[Anonymous]

My FIL is slightly taller than me and older so I always let him sit in the front and then I sit in the back with his mom and we catch up. If it was just my MIL, I’d offer her the front but she is pretty short and prefers the back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, why don't you drive and your husband and his mom can sit wherever they want?

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always let an older person sit in the front because it's generally more comfortable.

But more dangerous for older people.

[Anonymous]

Maybe MIL are insisting on the front seat because they don't want to admit they have a problem with sitting in the back. Either it's not too comfortable, trouble getting out, and/or motion sickness.
(can't believe I just defended a MIL on DCUM)