Big family check-in

Dannylion24 · January 2017

I know there are a few of us here sporting larger than average (I'd argue 3+ children, but I don't want anyone to feel excluded) family sizes so I figured I'd start a post for tips and questions regarding juggling those dynamics. If this is redundant just let me know - no worries - I will delete.

To kickoff I have a question; what do you drive?? I have a Honda Odyssey and we are already pushing it with 4 kids (ages are 8,7,3, & almost 2) ... with 2 boosters and 2 carseats already Im at a loss as to how to configure in a newborn!

KirstinH88 · January 2017

@Dannylion24 I often joke with DH that we are going to have to buy a small school bus for our family one day!

How many seats does the Odyssey have? 7 or 8? Is it possible to have the three youngest (3, 2, and newborn in the middle rows for ease of buckling/unbuckling? Otherwise, maybe pair an older kid with a younger kid (8 year old with a 3 year old), have them sit together in the same row, and have the older kid responsible for buckling/unbuckling the younger child.

We currently have a Toyota Highlander (5 seats) and a Dodge Ram (6 seats) with child #4 on the way. My car woes were talked about in the Randoms thread for this week. If we can't get rid of the Dodge Ram and get a newer car with 3 rows fairly soon (doesn't seem likely), then we will just all travel in the Ram, which is a MAJOR gas hog.

Not sure if many of these big families were made the way mine was, but I'd like to hear from/consult with some stepmoms too....???

MWoodside · January 2017

Our third is on the way so I don't know if I count as a big family. I drive a Chrysler T&C.

pammasu0909 · January 2017

@MWoodside do you like it? Our mechanic said it was his top choice for vans

MWoodside · January 2017

pammasu0909 said:

@MWoodside do you like it? Our mechanic said it was his top choice for vans

We love it. The only issue for very large families with kids spaced close together is that there are only 3 tethers for car seats. But we have bigger spacing and will likely be done at 3 kids (4 max max max) so it shouldn't be an issue for our family.

We had rented T&C 2x before for long road trips so were 100% sure this is what we wanted. The convenience factors are unbeatable.

MWoodside · January 2017

And we got a super low mileage one that was a 2014 (just purchased in Nov) for such a great price.

mylittleirvz · January 2017

Not a big family (only #2 on the way haha) but we also just recently purchased a Chrysler T & C and LOVE it. Absolutely love it. The space is amazing and i love having automatic doors which I'm sure i'll love even more once i am lugging an infant seat and corralling a toddler into it.

Beckyf321 · January 2017

We have #3 on the way, as well. I currently drive a Dodge Journey because it was in our price range when we bought it 16 months ago. It's pretty nice and has third row seating, but it's a smaller SUV and we'll probably outgrow it pretty fast. I've had my heart set on an Acadia since my car got totaled a year and a half ago. Now that we're dual income, I'm hoping we can upgrade in a year or so.

Dannylion24 · January 2017

@KirstinH88 apologies for making you repeat yourself! I know I sound like a broken record, but being strictly mobile makes it more difficult to follow the more lengthy threads!
Our odyssey does seat 8, but I don't believe there will be enough space to sit 3 across the middle row unless I purchase all new carseats (I remember there's one specific brand that's known for allowing this, but they are pricey). I do like your suggestion of pairing my oldest with my 3 year old. It won't be particularly helpful when we are running errands during the school day, but it will work well on weekends and perhaps it will even get my 3 year old moving in the right direction as far as buckling and unbuckling herself! Thanks!

KirstinH88 · January 2017

@Dannylion24 No problem! DS is 4 and he has been able to buckle himself for awhile now, but he can not unbuckle (which I prefer anyways). Hopefully that suggestion works out for you, rather than buying all new car seats. Also, it will only be for a few more years before your daughter moves into a booster.

ebloom3 · January 2017

We have #3 on the way, too. We have a Toyota 4Runner and Nissan Rogue, but the 4Runner is at the end of its life, so sometime this spring (hopefully before baby) we are looking to get a van. We considered the Odyssey and the Sienna, but I think we are leaning Sienna. My FIL has a fairly extensive knowledge about cars, and he said the Odyssey has had a number of recalls recently. We are also hoping we can get a decent trade-in by going from Toyota to Toyota. DH said we should wait until Memorial Day for sales, but I don't know that we can fit 3 car seats in either of our cars. DS is 3 and in a front facing car seat, DD is 5 and is in a high back booster. That, plus an infant car seat, will take up a lot of space.

ConstanceGoodspeed · January 2017

Third is on the way and we drive a Toyota Camry. We will have three carseats across.

cafedisco · January 2017

Can I hijack and ask you all a question? Is it silly to think we could get by without a double stroller with 2 kids? DD will be 3.5 when LO is born and can do quite a bit of walking on her own. Or, if we are going somewhere where she can't walk, we could wear the baby and she gets the stroller. The only time I really see it being a problem is if we go on a vacation (like to San Diego for example) and it's a really long day. But maybe we could rent one?

Just trying to see if we can simplify and save money. I'm really not wanting to become a double stroller expert but I don't want to buy one without proper research either.

KirstinH88 · January 2017

@cafedisco I personally would not buy a double stroller. Like you said, at 3.5, your DD can walk a lot on her own. After having a baby, she may not want to be in the stroller anymore anyways. It may seem like a "baby" thing to her. DS hasn't been in a stroller for a VERY long time.

cafedisco · January 2017

Thanks Kirstin, that's exactly what I was thinking! We still bring the stroller everywhere out of habit but I've been realizing more and more that we don't actually need it.

MWoodside · January 2017

Not crazy! I had a double maclaren and dd1 was 10 days shy of 3 when DD2 was born. But I used the single for a long time since I bw mostly. We used it for airports/travel though. I won't have a double this time. DD2 will be almost 4.

cafedisco · January 2017

I didn't think about airports! We have no trips planned in the first 6 months so I think we will be able to at least wait it out and see.

MWoodside · January 2017

Now I actually use the britax travel carts for airports that the car seats latch right into! MAJOR game changer. Travel is a cinch now, the girls ride in their car seats on the cart. So we don't even need the double stroller anymore! I'll have to wear this one for travel until DD1 is ready to walk through giant Detroit metro airport.

smoochie041719 · January 2017

@cafedisco have you looked in to those skate board attachements or whatever they are called for your long days with both kids? Way more reasonable cost wise than a double stroller if you don't really need the double function very often. My good friend has an almost 3 year old daughter and a baby and they love their attachment for those days that are too long for the 3 year old to walk all day. Just a thought!

Dannylion24 · January 2017

Solid suggestion @BabyBlake.04.2017

Dannylion24 · January 2017

^^^ I don't know why I can't tag @babyblake.04.2017 correctly in the previous comment

catem07 · January 2017

@Dannylion24 it's because of the periods

cafedisco · January 2017

I'll have to look into a skateboard attachment...I don't know if there is one that would go with our stroller, but if there is, DD would love it!

BethPSU · January 2017

We have 3 with #4 on the way. I drive a atoyota Siena. DH drives a Nissan Armada. His car is big, but I hate having the three kids picking at each other all across the bench row backseat. DH wanted it like that for the space in the back. Once baby is here he will have to use the 3rd row. The van is usually our "go to" family transport vehicle. It is just so darn convenient. I drove an Acadia before, but even having to open doors and get kids in seats is more of a hassle than with a van. We went with the Siena mostly because it has AWD and we live in Buffalo!

smoochie041719 · January 2017

@Dannylion24 I didn't really think the periods would be an issue when I made my username but clearly it is haha. Oh well.

catem07 · January 2017

You can change your username through the knot.

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