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The point i'm getting at is there are OTHER options other than a minivan for extra seating. Take the crossover SUV hybrid Toyota Highlander. 7 seating. I'd take that any day over a minivan.
I dont really care what you guys drive, but you seem to be so worried about how I'm going to suddenly change my mind over this. I personally find minivans ugly, but if you like them, more power to you.
Nobody is trying to force you to admit that one day you'll buy a minivan. There are multiple vehicle options for families, of course!
It's your continued insistence that three kids will ride (problem-free) shoulder-to-shoulder in a tiny back seat, regardless of the size of the car seats, that is short-sighted.
Nobody is trying to force you to admit that one day you'll buy a minivan. There are multiple vehicle options for families, of course!
It's your continued insistence that three kids will ride (problem-free) shoulder-to-shoulder in a tiny back seat, regardless of the size of the car seats, that is short-sighted.
Yes. The booster seats for big kids take more width than you might think. Our son used one until recently and fitting the three of them across the Jeep was tight. For one or two little kids, no big deal.
Have you seen the back seat in a VW? They are fairly spacious. My son's carseat takes up less than the full "seat" in his spot in the back. I dont forsee this being an issue especially if he's in a booster by the time we have our other children.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rezfreak
oh, that was me. My son will be in a booster before we get to that point so it would be two seats and a booster which will fit fine
I'm genuinely curious. Just how big of a back seat does your car have? We a CUV and when I have one of my kids friends in the car, it's jammed back there. They are all in boosters now.
The point i'm getting at is there are OTHER options other than a minivan for extra seating. Take the crossover SUV hybrid Toyota Highlander. 7 seating. I'd take that any day over a minivan.
I dont really care what you guys drive, but you seem to be so worried about how I'm going to suddenly change my mind over this. I personally find minivans ugly, but if you like them, more power to you.
I think it was more the tone to which we responded vs. the sentiment.
Nobody is trying to force you to admit that one day you'll buy a minivan. There are multiple vehicle options for families, of course!
It's your continued insistence that three kids will ride (problem-free) shoulder-to-shoulder in a tiny back seat, regardless of the size of the car seats, that is short-sighted.
No, I never said "regardless of size of car seats". There are slimmer carseats than others and it IS possible to ride 3 to a back seat. It can be done if one makes it a priority. I will keep my car for atleast another 7-8 years and by then, it'll be time for a newer car anyway when the children are bigger. At that point I'll evaluate if I need one of those crossover 7 seaters or keep with the wagon style.
Ok I am a dad to be, and feel like my civics might be small for carting around a kid, a pack-n-play and a BOB during normal day to day life. Am I mistaken, is it easy to get kids in and out of small cars?
Additionally I am going on two coast to coast trips when my baby will be 4 months old, the previously mentioned items will be coming with, as will three duffels and one large suitcase (as well as a food processor to make the baby food and some dishes for mom and dad. Do you think the car will suffice?
I have two friends who did Civics from day one with their kids. One still drives the Civic with two school-aged kids; one switched to a minivan when her younger kid was four. It worked fine for them. I have a small four-door hatchback and a school-aged kid, and if I change cars anytime in the foreseeable future (unlikely) it will be to something the same size or smaller. I do agree with folks who say that a four-door car is going to be much easier on you than a two-door car.
Another thing to consider: I wouldn't choose a vehicle based on the fact that you have two cross-country trips coming up; you could always rent a larger car for those. I don't think it's wrong or anything to have a bigger car because you'll need it once every year or two, but personally I vote for optimizing your car for what you'll need day in and day out and renting when you need something bigger.
The point i'm getting at is there are OTHER options other than a minivan for extra seating. Take the crossover SUV hybrid Toyota Highlander. 7 seating. I'd take that any day over a minivan.
I dont really care what you guys drive, but you seem to be so worried about how I'm going to suddenly change my mind over this. I personally find minivans ugly, but if you like them, more power to you.
No one cares what you drive. I think what people are responding to is a place we've all been. A young parent, with one young child, responding as if he's got it all figured out. Parenthood rarely goes how we are "sure" it's going to, and you find yourself faced with circumstances and decisions you "knew" you'd never have. That's all.
You may very well be correct and you will be just fine in the car you have. Or that third child turns out to be twins (I know someone this happened to). Or whatever. You may (or may not) get to the point that you need the space more than you care whether the car you drive is "ugly".
And as for the Highlander? It's great and it's what we got - when we traded the minivan in. BTW - while that 3rd row is convenient, I would never in a million years want to sit back there for any length of time. And keep in mind it pretty much negates any cargo room.
Last edited by maciesmom; 08-27-2012 at 09:31 AM..
first, lol at 2 cross country trips with a four month old. what??
Quote:
Originally Posted by rezfreak
Have you seen the back seat in a VW? They are fairly spacious. My son's carseat takes up less than the full "seat" in his spot in the back. I dont forsee this being an issue especially if he's in a booster by the time we have our other children.
you should also note that if you are in a side impact car accident, the third kid without the carseat will be what "gives" as both carseats are smushed together. We never allowed our children to sit in between two carseats.
Quote:
Originally Posted by maciesmom
No one cares what you drive. I think what people are responding to is a place we've all been. A young parent, with one young child, responding as if he's got it all figured out. Parenthood rarely goes how we are "sure" it's going to, and you find yourself faced with circumstances and decisions you "knew" you'd never have. That's all.
You may very well be correct and you will be just fine in the car you have. Until that third child is twins. Or whatever. You may (or may not) get to the point that you need the space more than you care whether the car you drive is "ugly"..
or, after having to climb in the back seat for the millionth time, to find the seatbelt buckle that is hidden behind another carseat and several gooey cherios, or having one child vomit on another one, you might have an epiphany..... captain chairs for all!!
Come to think of it...our family has had an Explorer, a 4 Runner, a RAV4, a Liberty, and an SRX...none of these suvs has been nearly as easy to use, comfortable, and versatile as my mother's old Voyager (RIP). We got a LOT of use out of that old thing...
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