Our rule for couch space is "you move you feet you lose your seat". If one gets up for whatever reason they cannot expect to get their same spot back on the couch...there is no saving seats. As a mom of 4 kids ages 16, 13, 8, and 4, you have to be creative. I love the idea of making them hold hands...that one I am putting away for future use....maybe I will make them do it the next time we are out on a shopping trip from hell.....