Mom Still Calls the Shots
By Ms.Chelle
@Chellezhere (6375)
United States
September 22, 2025 11:35am CST
We all have family dynamics in the car. One of ours is, 'the oldest sits up front.' Well, I am 58, and my 44-year-old brother doesn't even live in this state. Still, regardless of whether the other passenger is 63 or 94, the oldest (pointing to myself) is always in the front. That is, until we stop to pick someone up. Then, I have to get out and let my elder take my seat. But sometimes, especially when that person is younger than Mom, she just makes a beeline for the back door and gets in, without any of us saying a word. Still, that begs the question, why should Mom enforce the rule anyway, especially when I am also a senior and her elder insists she's okay sitting in the back? Obviously, the answer is, 'Mommy said so.' Which, in case you can’t tell, is exactly why I’m about to be grounded. But in reality it's about principle—and respect. I'm just grateful we're in a Highlander and not a Camaro. We'd all be stuck in that damn car forever, trying to figure out how to "sc oo ch" up and get out without pulling some obscure muscle in the process. Thank God my brother wasn't driving us. It's hard to fit four old ladies and two rollators inside that little of a car.
11 people like this
10 responses
@GardenGerty (166763)
• United States
23 Sep
We have certain set ups when we visit my brother. His wife drives (control issue), he is in front I am behind him cause my legs are shorter than Bob's and Bob is behind her cause her legs are shorter. When my older sister was alive I went to the third row and she got my place behind brother. It is what it is. I used to want a Camaro, but it would kill me now.
@changjiangzhibin89 (17093)
• China
23 Sep
Here,just the reverse,the elders sit in the back of the car.
@RasmaSandra (91847)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
22 Sep
Never had this problem my family never had a car,
@LindaOHio (208336)
• United States
23 Sep
I always get put in front because of my age and physical limitations. It must be a major job for you to go anywhere in the car.
@celticeagle (183189)
• Boise, Idaho
22 Sep
While my grandmother was alive, she always set in the back. She swore she could smell gas if she set up front and it made her sick. I was an only child and there are times I am really glad i was. My last husband always drove so I was the designated food/preparer.
When I was traveling with the carnival, they made one of the ones who worked in the booths always travel with the drivers in between towns. Keeping the driver awake was all important.
@luisadannointed (9486)
• Philippines
22 Sep
That's nice to know, respect is very important even in the smallest way.
When I was young and the whole family would go on a trip, the one who would sit on the passenger seat is the most talkative one, so the driver would not feel so sleepy while driving, lol!
