HELP... Three kids under four... do I really need a minivan???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are expecting our third and when the little one arrives, we will have a 3.5 year old (FF) and a 1.5 year old (RF). Do we really need a new mini van or a SUV with a third row or can we struggle through with our 2010 Subaru Outback or 2006 Honda Civic with three across???? Even if we can fit three across, will it be crowded and awful???

Any help/advice would be much welcome!

thank you

What you really needed was more effective birth control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What you really needed was more effective birth control.

Charming, PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Embrace the minivan. It will make things so much easier. My girlfriend just traded in her Audi q7 for a sienna and loves it. Her kids are 5, 3, and 1

Unless you live in the city and parallel park a lot. Then, a minivan or a big SUV is your worst nightmare. You can fit three across in a Volvo station wagon and they are easy to parallel park. The station wagon does give you a little bit of storage/luggage room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about the Mazda 5, which is sort of a cross between a mini-van and a station wagon? Smaller and better gas mileage, but still has the sliding doors and third row seats. You can keep one of the backseats folded for more trunk space. Here is the review that got me interested in this car:

http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2012/04/mazda-5-the-mini-minivan/

I was planning on getting a Mazda 5 when I was about to have my third but you really can't put a car seat in the back row. It doesn't have latches and the space is very narrow. I actually called the manufacturer and they said it was not approved for car seats. I am sure people do it but that isn't what it is meant for. I think the Mazda 5 is great if you have 2 kids and an occasional guest or even three kids if children are older and don't need car seats.

[Anonymous]

We have a Traverse and a Maxima. I am OK with the kids in the Max but only for short trips with no packages or real gear to carry. Add one person, coats or food and it is the Traverse all the way.

It's like a purse, you think a clutch will work until you remember you still have keys, cell phone, tissue notepad etc to take with you.

[Anonymous]

My kids usually get along so well -- unless they are three across in the backseat. They get so bizarrely irritable and they just can't leave each other alone. It's weird.

The third row, whether minivan or suv, is really key for everyone's happiness in my family. It's not even the space for stuff -- I rarely take my strollers and junk along anymore, it's just their personal space. They are 6 and under, btw.

[Anonymous]

Just got the vw mini van (they call it the sports van).

We still have the vw "station wagon" type that we got when we found out we where preg with twins. But having 2 rf seats made the driver and passenger seats all the way up to the dash. It was just a hassle.

Loving the van and all the room plus the automatic doors, truck etc.

[Anonymous]

I fought the van when pregnant with #2 (we have a big dog and travel a lot so need a big car). I made my husband test 10+ SUVs. Finally caved since the van was cheaper and more fuel efficient than the SUVs that would work for us. Had the van for 3 months and, with a newborn, toddler, dog, and double stroller, I have to admit that I'm in love. Everything in my life is crazy, so having a car that is easy to load, easy to fit extra relatives or anything we could want to take, keeps the kids far apart, is great. I've accepted that our life right now requires a van.

[Anonymous]

You can survive with a car and three car seats, no problem. I makes for easier parking, too.

But... if I had the funds, I'd go for a mini. Taking those @#$% car seats in and out is a PITA, and if I had anything bigger than a breadbasket to haul, I might be frustrated. And what about guests? Where would they sit?

Okay, now I'm making myself hysterical on your behalf.

Anyway, the truth is you can make it work. The more zen you are about your life and what you HAVE as opposed to what you don't the better, right? I'm just a glass-half-empty kind of girl, I think!

Oh, and congratulations!!!

[Anonymous]

yes, you need a minivan. it will help you keep your sanity with three young kids. also, once your kids get older and involved in more activities, you will want to be able to participate in car pools which will be essential. just go for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.. thank you so much!

What are the "skinny" carseats and which is the "skinniest" car seat that is also an infant carrier???

THANK YOU!!!

Johanna

The skinniest carseat you can use for an infant is the Combi Coccoro, which goes down to 4 lbs. It is not an infant carrier, though. We were able to fit 3 across the back of our Mazda3 using 2 Combi Coccoros (new twins) and 1 Britax Marathon (toddler).

We ultimately opted to get a second car, though--a minivan. Glad we did, even though I really hate driving it. Trying to wrestle a baby or even a young toddler into a middle seat is hard!

[Anonymous]

Nope. You need alcohol. Lots of it.....

[Anonymous]

Nope. You need alcohol. Lots of it.....

Isn't that what got her into this predicament in the first place?

[Anonymous]

Your 3.5 year old will want to bring friends home or to carpool to events within the next 1-2 yrs. Get the minivan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Embrace the minivan. It will make things so much easier. My girlfriend just traded in her Audi q7 for a sienna and loves it. Her kids are 5, 3, and 1

Unless you live in the city and parallel park a lot. Then, a minivan or a big SUV is your worst nightmare. You can fit three across in a Volvo station wagon and they are easy to parallel park. The station wagon does give you a little bit of storage/luggage room.

I wasn't any good at parallel parking UNTIL I got a minivan. I think it's the number of windows and being up a little higher that helps.