In three weeks I will outgrow my car. It’s a sad reality because my Acura MDX is fully paid for and I LOVE IT. Forbes Magazine even listed my MDX #1 in the top ten alternatives for a minivan! I love all the comforts and luxuries it offers; like seating 7 people, seats fold flat, cushy leather, XM radio…and so much more. When I bought it 3 years ago, I thought that would be all the car I’d need with my 2 kids. Enter surprise baby #3.
I’ve been making some preparations for his arrival; like buying cloth diapers, bringing down Alex’s baby clothes and washing them, buying another infant car seat and working a lot more to prepare MOMables for my part time absence…
The one thing I’m a bit nervous about is getting another car. I love my current car, I don’t like car payments, and I hate car shopping. Many of you have made comments and suggestions on Facebook about what I should do. Yes, I could get narrower car seats or take my 5 year old out of a car seat into a “booster” base to accommodate and give more room… but I am not willing to sacrifice safety. We spend way too much time in a car to compromise. The reality is that we are going to have 3 kids in $300 car seats. Boy, kids are expensive!
Another issue is finding myself with a new identity: the minivan mom. I have thought about buying a Suburban; but I already struggle to reach 5’2″ tall on a good day… taking the stroller in and out of the Suburban’s trunk, the infant seat and helping the other kids buckle and unbuckle… it’s just not practical and easy for someone of my petite-ness. Plus, financially… I’m not buying a Suburban until I am able to write it off and this isn’t the year.
Back to the minivan. There are so many of them out there and so many options! Used vs. New: NOBODY gets rid of their minivans within 100 miles of where we live unless they are over 4yrs old and loaded with miles! What gives? Come on people… I am waiting for you to get the itch and trade yours in! Sure, I could get an older van… but I dislike car shopping so I do not want to go through this process in 2 years. We are the type of people that pay off our cars and drive them till they are asking to be sold.
Will the minivan change how I see myself? Probably not. I used to worry about looking like a soccer mom… but that was before I traded my Manolo Blahniks for the perfect stroller. Now, I am the mom who needs convenience and function above all else; because I don’t have time to keep up with the Joneses. The minivan search has been an eye opening experience for me. I get it people… strop trying to convince me that a Tahoe or a Denali is the way to go… when it’s not. Not for my budget and needs.
YOU KNOW WHAT? Yesterday I bought a pair of Manolos on ebay (for $45!), was gifted a new stroller and I will be getting a minivan soon. In the end, parenting is about keeping a balance of what’s important, what we want, need, and appreciating the little things that will make our lives easier. Bring on the minivan – If I can get a decent deal that is… Otherwise, I will deal and figure it out.
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