S/O Vehicles: MoMs... would you

emschott

get a minivan if you planned on having only 2 kids?  We don't intend to have more kids after these twins, but can't find a good vehicle that will fit 2 kids and a dog.  Yes, the dog is actually ruling our vehicle decision.  She needs her own spot- she won't fit between 2 car seats on a bench seat. We really can't have her ride in the cargo/storage area, because we will need that for all of the baby stuff, and later, all of our trips, camping gear, etc.  We're almost positive we're getting a Honda Odyssey, but I am second guessing the choice.

OrangeSmoke

No dog here and I still would.

 

cocojack10

Totally worth it!  The sliding doors alone make the choice worth it.  It was very difficult for the first 7 mo when boys were in infant seats trying to find parking spots that was wide enough to be able to open both back doors fully to be able to get them in/out... and then hope the next person parking next to you doesn't park super close.  

We bought our Odyssey after the boys converted to convertible car seats, and love the van! 

jxd215

Yes.  We're done with 2 kids.  But DH loves the leg room and cargo space.  I've always been a small car person so I'm not in love with the size of the van, but we live near grandparents so having the extra seating is a must for us.

hoping4more

Yup!! I actually wanted one when I only had 1 child and was buying my grand am but at the time it didn't make as much sense. Once we traded in DH's car I insisted on a minivan!

MrsLnt

No, but we don't have any pets so our SUV works well for us. 

1krazykitty

There may come a time when you allow them to each bring a friend somewhere or want to make room for a friend/grandma/grandpa etc.

afwifestrecker7706

I would we had a mini van since we only had one kid. 

Fancy3Face

Absolutely.  Kids come with a lot of stuff and the more room you have, the better.  Especially as they get older and since you have pets. 

I've been begging for a minivan since they were born.  

SLPMel

We are in the exact same position-twins with a Lab.  We went to go buy a minivan this weekend, they just didn't have the one we wanted.  And even with just the two-we are traveling for Thanksgiving and we are trying to figure out where everything is going to fit!

JosiePosy

Hells yeah! I love our van. We have a van that is 11 years old, but it's awesome for our twins and our dog (70+ lb labrador). We don't even have the auto sliding doors and it's still way awesome for traveling with the girls.

If I had the means, I would definitely look at an Odyssey. I drool over those things.

violaplayer

1krazykitty:

There may come a time when you allow them to each bring a friend somewhere or want to make room for a friend/grandma/grandpa etc.

ITA. We aren't totally sure if we are having more kids. But the cargo room and passenger room is awesome! 

emschott

OK good!  You ladies have made me feel a lot better!

JosiePosy

I see you're in WI. I just wanted to let you know that winters have not been an issue for us either. I don't know where you are in WI, but here in Minneapolis I get around just fine as long as I don't drive like an idiot when it snows. Obviously we have made our driving decisions a little differently now, but we can still get around if needed.

MrsOjoButtons

I'm a lurker.  If your dog fits in a crate or there's a safe spot to buckle her in, then go for it, but please don't leave your dog to be a flying object in the event you get in an accident.  I currently have a Subaru Outback with a pet divider and all three of my large dogs fit in the back, and they also fit in the rear of my Jetta Wagon (also with a pet divider).  It's safest for you and your babies if you can somehow secure the dog.

We looked at mini vans but couldn't figure out how to tether or buckle the dogs safely if we have more than 3 kids, so I think we're keeping our family small for a while.

chellsii

The van is definitley not my style, but if you like it then go for it. We had a jeep with 2 kids and a lab and we all fit. I like the idea of a small suv, 4 wheel drive kinda car. It's all what you prefer.

pawstech09

We only have our 2 kids (and 3 dogs!), but we bought a mini van right away when my car wasn't cutting it. My parents are grandparents 8 times over (meaning we're all grown and moved out!) and they said they won't ever not have a van, just because it's handy for hauling anything and everything (I swear you could fit the world in a van!) and even with 2 kids, when they get older and start becoming active in anything it'll be nice to have the room to store them, gear, friends, etc.

ETA: I was born and raised in WI (moved to AZ only 2 years ago), we always had a van as far back as I can remember, and never got into an accident with it. They aren't super duper easy on an icy road, but IMO what car really is? As long as you drive safely winter driving shouldn't be an issue.