Minivan versus SUV?
I see this question circulate social media daily. For me? There used to be no question about it. No minivan; not now, not ever. I would've taken this to my grave two years ago. I would honestly laugh at my friends who considered buying one and say that this was goodbye to all things cool and they should go ahead and purchase their mom jeans and fanny pack. Interestingly enough, both of which are back in style.
We have a Toyota Highlander which has a third row, so I figured our first four kids' carseats will fit comfortably. I didn't quite consider the ergonomics of getting them into said carseats. Only one side of our backseat slides forward to allow you to squeeze into the third row... I hope these first two kiddos are old enough to climb back on their own and buckle themselves in, or I'm going to need an athletic trainer for Baby #3. Then again, I'm 30, so time isn't really on my side to become the next American Ninja Warrior. Buckling in my squirmy toddler without banging her head on the top of the car is difficult enough, especially when trying to keep her rear facing as long as possible [she's fine; plenty of brain cells to go around]. I, however, very well may have developed a hernia.
So here's my minivan conundrum.
The doors. Let's talk about the doors. As horrible as I've always thought minivans to be, I am super envious of those sliding doors. This is probably the best thing the minivan has going for it, in my opinion. I didn't truly come to appreciate that amazing function until I tried locking in a carrier to its base in the first few hours of being a mom. Holding the door open, trying not to bang up the car next to me, while single-handedly lifting 15-25 lbs carefully, quietly, and at just the right angle through a small opening to click it into place...and for the first year (for us) in the middle seat. God forbid the child is sleeping, at which point, I apologize to the car next to us. When choosing between the other car and waking my sleeping infant, I choose to sustain the nap. Every time. I honestly avoided going anywhere while on maternity leave if it meant Nick couldn't go with me. The in and out of a parking lot was overwhelming for this reason. Oh how handy handsfree entry would be. I hear they now have come out with Foot-Swipe Sliding Doors [jaw drops]. Job well done. Gosh how I only wish an SUV would come out with sliding doors.
Pre-Reaves, I used to hear moms say "oh but it has a built-in vacuum and a cooler." Big deal, I'd say. Back then, my only thought of needing a cooler was to keep my beer cold, and why would I need that built into my car? That's asking for trouble. And the vacuum? Why can't you just pull into QT and pay $1.00 or do it at home? Just clean your car out regularly like everyone else... HA! Because moms have so much free time and all...
Post-Reaves, about that cooler...
The number of times I'm asked in our 20-minute drive home from daycare for milk, apple juice, oranges, watermelon, popsicles, or yogurt... I would say it totals 20. One request per minute. That cooler = GENIUS and necessary for mama's sanity.
About that vacuum...
Lord. Have. Mercy. My car can be 100% clean on the way to school. Freshly vacuumed, books/toys/diapers organized. By the time we pull into our driveway at the end of that SAME day, it looks as though I've been living out of it for a week, transporting ten teenagers to and from soccer practice...who decided to have a food fight. How does this happen? How can one tiny human make such a mess? God bless those minivans for their built-in vacuums. I'm sorry for undermining your awesomeness.
Easy-speak. Who are these people creating this stuff? Well, parents, for sure. Oh my goodness. A built-in microphone that amplifies your voice to passengers in the backseat. If I'm planning on putting kids in the third row, let me warm up those local cords now. Lots of yelling in my future.
Integrated Window Shades. Seriously? Minivans, you're solving yet another argument for our family. I can't tell you how much money we've spent on trying to find a decent window shade that actually covers the parts of the window where sun shines through. Without fail, sun always manages to peek through, blinding Reaves from all angles...thus a toddler tantrum...thus more demands for snacks. Back to the cooler and vacuum features.
Touchscreen entertainment. We're not big "screen" parents, but desperate times, man...
Infotainment touch screens on the back of each headrest with HDMI and USB options. I'm pretty sure we have to ghetto-rig our iPad to the headrest using cables while utilizing a month's worth of data for Netflix movies when we go on trips.
Stow-n-Go...my mind is so blown, I don't even fully understand this. Some models of minivans have storage systems to store unused seats in underfloor compartments - allowing over 200 seating positions. Is this real? And the Easy Tilt...to allow easy and effortless access to the third row. Well, Highlander, I challenge you. Help a sista out with making this more possible!
Cargo behind the Third Row. There is maybe enough space in my Highlander to fit a flat piece of cardboard behind my third row when it's up. There is no sacrificing cargo space behind a third row in a minivan. I suppose it's unsightly torpedo shape/length is actually quite needed. I'm sure that feature will be at the top of my list of "necessities" when our third child comes along and the third row is being used.
Ultimately, I love my Highlander, but it's got nothing on all of the above. I still like to ride with my windows down jamming to Ludacris every now and then...I can't do this in a minivan [speaking of judgments].
We recently traded Nick's Jeep in for a sedan. During the painful paperwork process, we walked around the floor at the dealership and came across the mac-daddy of all minivans. So mac-daddy, I would've needed a sugar-daddy to afford it. But Nick was intrigued, and that's huge. As parents, we're learning to never say "never." I would have never even considered a minivan, but this season is all about survival as we are about to enter life with two littles. I feel like I'm in the process of crossing over, and I'm embarrassed to admit it, which means I'm not ready to fully commit. I'll just support you minivan moms and admire how efficient your momming game is compared to mine.
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