Kids Wanting to Ride "Shotgun"

I might be the only one who gives this answer: Keep the kids in the back. If they ask, "Why can't I ride in the front seat?" The answer is, "I need the front seat for my things." Just because they are old enough to ride in front doesn't mean they NEED to ride in front.

T. Y
SAHM of 5
(13, 11, 6, 4, & 2)

Between me and them, on the console or in the seat between us if there is enough room. I have several things I carry with me all the time and I don't like them in the floor either.

After all those years of sitting in the back seat your kids of course are dying to sit up front.
Put your purse in the back seat if it can't be on the floor (or install one of those command hooks somewhere on your console.) You shouldn't be digging around in it while you're driving anyway. Your kids will be driving before you know it, and they are taking in everything you do now, so two hands on the wheel mama! :-)

Don't you have a center console? That is where my purse goes when anyone is in the passenger seat.

If not, new rule, who ever is shotgun holds mom's purse.

Problem solved.

I would make the child in shotgun in charge of my bag. They would be required to sit upright and place the bag on their lap. You can dictate to them to get something while you are driving.

Tell them sitting shotgun has responsibilities. Your kids are old enough to handle that. If they are 'too cool' to be your co-plilot then send them to the back.

I spent years in uniform, driving all day. I can think of nothing you'd need to take out of your purse with kids the age of yours. Even when doing it at stop signs/lights it is distracted driving. As others havs said model safe driving for your teen. Because your teen will be a new driver he should not be reaching for anything even when at a stop light.

Whatever you need from your purse while you are in the middle of driving can be either set aside ahead of time, or reached for by the child in the back seat. You can also put the child in the front seat in charge of the handbag, which takes away some of the allure of the front seat.

With a 14 year old who will want a learner's permit in a few years, you want to set a good example of NOT being distracted and reaching around for stuff while driving with one hand - believe me, that's the part they will see and they'll think nothing of taking one hand off the wheel because they think driving is so easy! They don't realize what's required to focus on the road ahead and the other drivers. I found that out when my son started driving and believe me, I wish I'd been much more clear about that when he was taking up my habits. The first time he skidded off the road, we learned the value of that! So this is actually a good time for you to be commenting on other drivers or road conditions: "Look at that guy who pulled out without stopping at the stop sign! Good thing I was paying attention!" or "I wish that guy behind me wasn't tailgating. It's so dangerous, and his headlights are blinding me. I'm pulling over to let him pass. I'd rather get there one car later and be safe." Those things make an impression on teens, even though you may not see it right now.

I put my purse in the back seat and put my phone and sunglasses in the cup holder or one of the other storage areas up front. I don't need toll money because I have an EZ Pass, but there's usually a little place for toll money in the console or another little compartment. I have a pen and notepad attached to the sun visor but even so I only use them when at a stop light or when pulled over. I can't think of anything else that's in my purse that I would need while driving.

You could also consider something a lot less expensive for everyday use, and save the expensive things for going out, but even so, it doesn't solve the problem of being distracted.

I always keep mine on the center console, but my purses are neither big nor expensive.

I'm really surprised at the number of people scolding you for needing access to your purse. Am I the only one who stops at red lights?

A. if they are old enough that they can travel in the front seat, you should not need anything for the kids.
B. I'm not sure what you should need driving around, other than a drink or sunglasses-- drivers are supposed to be driving, not digging through purses. Yikes!

ETA: The comment about stopping at red lights? AT LEAST once a month my son and I (on walks to and from school) are almost hit by someone who is dillydallying at a red light and not paying attention-- they just look up from their phone or whatever else, see the green light, and go without really looking. It's especially problematic when it is the second car or third car in the line who wants to take a right and I can't catch their attention. I do my due diligence and make eye contact with the nearest driver before crossing the street, but if I'm on the far side and someone is in a hurry to take that right, me and my kid could be toast. The less distractions, the better.

I don't usually carry a purse. I find them to be more of a burden than a help. But, when I have to carry a purse I usually sit it on the area in between the two seats, right behind the cup holders. I drive a minivan, so that might be a little different in a car. I guess right on top of the emergency break.

But I do agree, it is nice when you have that empty seat to put things on :-)

ETA - Yes, the front seat passenger can be your assistant. When my nieces are visiting one of them rides in the front. She is my gal during that ride - helping the little ones with things, answering my phone, fetching, etc. They know that's part of the deal.

My purse either goes on the floor board or in the backseat. I don't dig around in my purse when I'm driving anyways, so that's a non-factor.

mine just goes on the floor in the front. i hate rooting around in it while i'm driving (and think it's dangerous, especially if you're setting a precedent for soon-to-be drivers) so i tend to get out everything i might need before i set off, which is rarely anything more than my cellphone and lip balm (hands-free, and never to text!). it's really no different than having it in the backseat, but i'm probably far too casual about dirt and salt, and far too attached to having my purse nearby!
:) khairete
S.

I also carry a huge very nice handbag.

. When I am driving and have a front seat passenger, they could hold my bag, but it would be cumbersome during a long day of running errands.

I am like you, I do not want to ruin it on the floor board. BUT I have also discovered that if I keep a zippered Pouch in my handbag with my wallet, phone and ipad in it. I can safely place my purse in the back seat and the pouch can be up front with me!.. If I need my wallet going through a drive through, they are right there., Or I guess if I get pulled over, my wallet is available.

Over time, I now have a pen and my business cards in there too. This pouch has my essentials and it easily slips into the handbag.

I never talk on the phone while driving. EVER. I do keep the phone in the cup holder though, so if I I do pull over sometimes to make a call or text it is right there.

Getting out and retrieving my purse from the back seat does not work for me.

That's ME!! (minus the snow part, lol)

I hand it to my kid. They want to sit there, they get to hold my purse. Unfortunately, that sometimes means they set it in the floorboard on their side. But, if it was snowy/mucky, I'd just disallow that as an option.

It comes with the seat. IF they want to sit there, they can be required to hold your purse. Why not?

Oh, and I drive a manual transmission SUV, so there is no "console" to set it. And on top of the emergency break can be a problem because it can interfere with the gear shift if not sitting EXACTLY right. So I don't do that.
---
And to all those criticizing you for "fishing" in your purse... I do that--when I am stopped at a light. Not while driving down the road.
I've never heard of the passenger seat being a hazard for someone stealing it out of the window (broken or not) unless you are referring to while parked fueling. In which case I have heard of people sneaking the door open and taking it while you are unaware on the other side of the car. I keep my doors locked, and move my purse to the driver's seat.

As for putting it on YOUR floorboard--seems like a hazard to me. One really hard stop and there it goes (or stuff out of it) all up underneath the pedals. Talk about a hazard.... Yikes.

When I am driving my car I should not be going through my purse for anything and neither should you.
Put your purse in the back seat and pay attention to where you are driving!
L.

How about a "Mommy Clip" that you can clip to the passenger seat headrest so you can hang it there (on the back side of the headrest, so it is hanging in the middle row)? That works well for me and my diaper bags/purses. It also helps to keep my purse from sliding around if I have to make a sudden stop, and keeps it easily accessible if I need my wallet at a drive thru.

I have a small purse so I keep it on the center divide. What is it you are fishing for in your purse while you're driving? Seems almost as dangerous as talking on the phone while you drive!

I put my purse on the back seat.

My purse, which is a nice purse as well, goes on the back seat behind me. I do NOT go through my purse when I'm driving - because I AM DRIVING. Safety first.

I would NEVER put my purse in the front seat anyway.
1. prime target for thieves...
2. teaching my kids that whatever is in my purse is more important than them or better yet - THE ROAD!!!!

At 14, kids are really paying attention to you and your driving skills. They are counting the days until they can get their license. They pay attention to WHAT YOU DO when you are driving, your speed, lane changes, etc. So put that 14 year old in the front seat. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR DRIVING - NOT what is in your purse. And show your kid the RIGHT way to drive.

Also - there is a hook that my mom bought me for my purse - hooks on to the head rest so my purse doesn't "sit" on the floor.

I highly recommend teenagers sitting in the front seat as soon as possible. As opposed to the back seat, there they will notice many things about driving they wouldn't otherwise see. The longer they have paying attention to YOUR driving, and the rules of the road, the easier those first few driving lessons will be.

I wear a shoulder bag, fairly good sized. I don't take it off when I drive, it fits nicely on my lap between me and the steering wheel.

:)

I keep mine on the center console. I usually end up in there for lip gloss or hand cream at red lights. You might have your passenger seat mate hold your bag for you so that you can get something if you want it.

I have always kept in on the floor under the drivers seat, now it fits in front of my center console (minivan). I was taught to never keep it on the passenger seat because people can easily break the window and steal it while you are at a stop light or stop sign.

Having multiple cars broken into and two stolen I continue to do this no matter what area I am in.

Why not keep a plastic bag in your car and put it in there on the floor in the front seat, this way it is near by and should stay clean.

Where do you put it when your hubby or other adult is in the car with you and the kids?

The backseat is fine for the purse-two to one-you will have a helping hand back there if you ask the child to retrieve something for you.

Put it in the backseat, I'm sure your kids can grab whatever you have to have. I can't believe your kids haven't already been riding in the front, at 14 and 11. Let your kids have some fun and a new experience! Oh, and I put my purse on the middle console, or floor, even in the winter. My kids kick the snow off their shoes before they get in.

In my country if you have your bag on the front seat, your side window would be broken and your bag stolen. I put mine under my seat, out of view, out of the way but accessible if really needed.

The 14 yr old is old enough. The 11 yr old is not. I would put my purse in the middle of the front seats (mine fits nicely there) and then tell the 14 yr old he/she only rides in the front when the sibling is not there.

The person who rides in my front seat is responsible for my purse. Sometimes they just share a seat.

When I am alone my purse sits on the passenger seat. When I drive the van my purse sits on the console between the seats if I have a front seat passenger. When I drive the car the front seat passenger hold my purse because there is no room between the seats.