My husband’s spot is on the white sofa, the end nearest the door. My daughter’s is on the other sofa, usually lounging with a throw. My stepson is in the easy chair and I’m on the other end of the white sofa. Those are our accepted favourite places while watching TV. And if someone sits in our favourite place, well, we’re not too happy about it.
We’re not alone. New research from Panasonic has found that 8 in 10 Brits have a favourite spot on the sofa when watching TV, and 69% of us get sofa fury if another family member or guest steals their desired watching spot. Pet owners have it worse, with 70% saying they’ve had to sacrifice their seat to the cat or dog.
Today I appeared on radio programmes from Scotland to Wales to Portsmouth talking about sofa and TV habits and what it’s like with families.
I asked a few bloggers what they thought and they could all immediately tell me where everyone in their house sits and how that’s often thrown into chaos with kids. They want the best vantage point. They block our view. They squeeze in our armchair with us for close-up watching.
Michael Price, a Panasonic technology expert, suggests that the jockeying for position can be related to our use of personal screens. We’re used to our handheld devices, our tablets and our smartphone screens and we like that perfect viewing.
And over the holidays it becomes more problematic as extended families (and possibly more pets) make a landgrab for the best spot.
There are some ways to make it easier. Many families make a den for the kids on the floor, with lots of cushions and throws so they can sit there, leaving the real seats for the grown-ups. You can always stake out your favourite seat early to ensure your place. (One blogger described this as “On your feet, lose your seat”. Harsh!)
But with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins arriving, it may just make sense to be flexible and allow someone else your prime spot. After all, ’tis the season for giving.
What’s your favourite TV-watching seat? How does your family negotiate who sits where in the holidays?
About Jennifer Howze
Jennifer Howze is the Creative Director and co-founder of BritMums. She blogs about family travel at Jenography.net, tweets at @JHowze and Instagrams at @JHowze. Previously, she wrote the Alpha Mummy blog at The Times and as a journalist has contributed to The Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Wall Street Journal, Travel & Leisure, Budget Travel, CNN.com, Allure, SELF and Premiere, among others. She won The Maggie Award from the Planned Parenthood Federation of America for a health article in Seventeen magazine.
susanna
Wednesday 11th of December 2013
I usually end up on the floor!
Jennifer Howze
Thursday 12th of December 2013
Pillows and blankets too?
kateonthinice
Wednesday 11th of December 2013
I always used to laugh at my Mum for having her chair that nobody else was allowed in. I am like her now. Having said that, I do love to sit on the floor so perhaps I have not grown up. It is the getting up from the floor that is the issue these days!
Jennifer Howze
Thursday 12th of December 2013
I used to have a big squashy pillow, perfect for stretching out on the floor.