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

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

You can fit three carseats in the backseat of most cars, assuming you get the right type of seat. The Radian seats are very skinny.

Your instinct will be to put the infant in the middle, but I recommend putting the 3.5 yo in the middle. If the infant is in the middle, the 1.5 yo will be able to reach her and, since you'll be driving, you won't be able to supervise.

I got a minivan because of our lifestyle. We travel frequently to visit family and also have family visit us. I wanted a van so we could all fit in one car when the grandparents are visiting. I think lifestyle is more important than the number of kids.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

no, you ned BC J/k get a bigger SUV you wuill be glad you did when they are older.

[Anonymous]

Most cars can fit 3 across with the right combination (and arrangement) of carseats. We can get 3 in a Ford Fiesta.

If you do a lot of roadtrips or carpooling, you may want more room. Otherwise, a sedan (like your Civic) would be fine.

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

I think you will prefer a larger car as they get older. That way, you can fit a 4th or even 5th child in for a playdate or carpool, a grandparent, etc. I would look at SUVs with 3rd rows and minivans. However, you can "struggle through" for a while and see what you think for a while before deciding.

I recommend looking at the Highlander, New 2013 Pathfinder, Buick Enclave/Traverse and the classic minivans such as the Sienna.

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

I had three under 3. Even though we had a minivan, I still kept them three across until the older ones could strap themselves in and out of the seats. Its a pain otherwise to have to climb in and out of the car while strapping everyone in.

But it's nice now that they are older (3, 5, 5) to have the extra space of a minivan.

[Anonymous]

Post your specifics on the forums at www.car-seat.org and you will get specific seat recomendations. I can fit 2 radians FF and a BRitax marathon RF in my suburu outback. Never done it with a bucket though. I am certain it can be done. For us, it was less about the "not wanting a mini-van" and more about "not wanting a car payment" 2 new carseats are much less expensive than a new car.

[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

Diono Radian, Combi Coccoro, Safety 1st Onside Air are all pretty narrow. You'll want to find a store to test the 3 seats you choose in your car before you buy. Ironically, 2 Radians plus another seat would not work in our car (neither would 3 Radians). Having one Radian made a huge difference in the install of the other two seats though.

I believe Combi has the narrowest infant carrier. But again, you'll want to test in your car first. And sometimes when a seat doesn't work in one position, it will work in another. You'll want to play with it and make sure they are all installed correctly and tightly (and independently, you don't want one to be tight just because it is next to another seat).

In our Fiesta we can do a Graco Turbobooster (highback mode) for our 5 year old, Safety 1st Onside Air in the middle for our 22 month old, and Diono Radian for our 3.5 year old. The only seat that is installed using LATCH is the Onside Air (borrowing the two anchors, which is allowed in that car). That helps prevent accidental unbuckling when our 5 year old is getting in and out of his seat. Once our 3.5 year old moves to a booster (we won't move him until he's ready, probably when he's 5-6) we'll give the Radian to DD and get rid of the Onside Air. Hopefully she won't outgrow the Onside Air before then.

[Anonymous]

Get a minivan. We just got one, and my youngest is 3.5. Man I wish I had one from the start. SOOOOOO much easier in every way. If you can afford it, do it.

Seriously, I wish I had one from the start. You can do it in a smaller car, but life will be better with a van with 3.

[Anonymous]

The issue isn't just the seating - what about that double stroller you will need and all the crap you have to schlep along with you?

[Anonymous]

Once your oldest is in school, it's so much easier for them to get in and out of a minivan in the drop-off/pick-up lane. And that lane is all about speed, at least at our school.

[Anonymous]

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/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The issue isn't just the seating - what about that double stroller you will need and all the crap you have to schlep along with you?

I was just about to post this exact comment. Seriously OP, you are in double stroller land with and or without a board for your 3.5 yr old to stand on (or a joovy caboose for all 3 kids). Those are some big strollers. Plus a diaper bag made for twins (since you will have a newborn and a toddler). Not to mention all the random stuff you will have in your car. Also, I will tell you that the automatic doors are a blessing with multiple young children.