For those with 3+ kids: kind of car?
TonyaCody06
member
I am struggling with the thought that we may have to get a "minivan". I have always said "no minivan!" lol
With 3 small ones in car seats I just don't know what else is going to be functional. I looked at the GMC Acadia and it could work but the 3rd row doesn't have the latch system so I'd have to seatbelt in the toddler carseats. We looked at the Honda Pilot and the 3rd row is not functional for me. We caved and looked at the Odessy and loved the options inside...just not ready to be a minivan mom 
Any other options? I'm really not comfortable in huge vehicles. We plan on having a 4th so I will eventually have 4 in carseats/booster seats for the next 10 years at least (law here is booster seat till age 8!).
My DH has a Navigator and plans on keeping it. My little Mazda CX-7 isn't making the cut 
Re: For those with 3+ kids: kind of car?
Honda Odyssey.
Things I love:
--sliding doors, easiest open ever esp when you have a 10 mo old in an infant seat, a toddler prone to running off and whiney 4 year old
--I also love that the doors don't open out because my kids sure will knock someones car on accident
--holy # of cup holders- its the best when you are on a long trip
--trunk space, i can fit my double & single stroller plus groceries! You don't get that in a SUV
--DVD player & seat warmers are nice
--adjustable seat belts (i'm short)
--I once read boosters are not safe in the back seat of a 3rd roq SUV, and if the latch is only in the front....your oldest will not be "safe"
--the latch is available in the captain's and one in the back
--I can get to the back relatively easy (although don't put a infant seat back there, its hard!!)
--extra seating because my DD is now of the age of taking a friend along!
We keep going back and forth and just looking. We are only at #2 but will have 3 or 4 in car seats for a while. Have you thought about the CX-9?
Seriously, get the minivan. I was SOOOOO against it. DH had to convince me, and I love it. It makes life easy with the sliding doors etc. DS climbs into his seat and its great. We can also fit company in the back when my mom comes in town.
I am glad we got it, bc we want 4 kids and now we can fit all 4 and not have to switch cars. Oh and the minivan is great for long trips too. LOVE it. You wont regret it.
- The 2011 Odessy had latch in all seats of the 2nd & 3rd row so I know I'd be able to arrange them pretty much in whatever car seat combo I want. I'd definitely have the infant in the 2nd row not sure about the toddlers yet.
- I have mentioned the CX-9 to my husband but he said the 3rd row is tiny. I haven't gone to look tho.
- I haven't looked at the Sienna yet, it's next on the list for comparison.
thanks Caitlin
I just need to get over the "minivan" image i've always had. lol. I do see a ton of them out on the road. It's probably the route we will go.
I think almost all of the things I said I would NEVER do as a mom, I have
I always said...NO minivan, absolutely not...well with 2 u 2, or 3 or 4, what are your options? I wouldnt want to have to stick my infant or child in through the back of an SUV to get them in the third row. A minivan is necessary IMO 
PLus I think harrietNJ said once, that the doors of an SUV are huge and when opened by a child they can smack the car nxt to you, so yo have to worry about getting a wide enough parking space...with a minivan you dont have to worry about the amt of space, you press open and they slide out of the way. Easy!
good luck
2 beautiful children
proud mommy!
We have 3 in my Chevy Trailblazer and I love it! (Edit: Ours does not have the 3rd row - we have 3 seats across the back row. It's cozy, but it totally works.) There's ample storage in the back and I love how it drives.
We also have a GMC van - not a minivan, a conversion van. That was my DH's pick. I'll admit that that bad boy is roomy and comfortable, but it's so big that I HATE driving it. I would get a minivan in a heartbeat. Also, there's no reason not to consider a vehicle that doesn't have LATCH - seatbelt installs are just as safe when done correctly (and honestly aren't that much harder to accomplish).
This, I said I'd NEVER own a mini van but to be realistic the SUV's with the third row really aren't functional for a larger family. If you need to have the third row up there is no room for a stroller, forget it if you are on a family trip and have to pack luggage. I bought a Jeep Commander in 2007 and had to trade it in for my Mini van in 2008. I hated to do it, (I was 26 at the time) but it is so much better for the family (and the wallet).
We just got a Suburban and we LOVE it
Our 2nd "row" has the captain seats, so we can easily get back to the 3rd row.
DH & I were not ready for a minivan.
We also looked at the Acadia and the Enclave. The issue is that when you are using the 3rd row (which you will all the time with 3 kids...), there is very little room in the way back for storage. We could barely fit our double stroller back there! We also travel to my IL's a lot (a 3 hour drive...), so we need room for the stroller and our bags, so we have to have cargo space.