Oh the Horror... of a Minivan?
This week we want you to weigh in on one of the most critical of parenting debates: Is a minivan really so bad?
We parents like to argue about a lot of stuff. Perhaps you’ve noticed?
From the moment of conception, there are any number of parenting debates you can unsuspectingly find yourself in the middle of —drugs versus no drugs in labor, breastfeeding versus formula, crib versus co-sleeping.
The list is long, and can be as difficult to navigate as a minefield.
Many people I know try to steer clear of the contentious issues that a lot of parents seem to have strong opinions about, and are all too willing to share.
But, there is one critical parenting debate that I’ve found that seems to draw out even the controversy-adverse parents—minivans.
Last week I saw a photo posted on Facebook by George Takei (of Star Trek fame) that read, “Condoms Prevent Minivans.”
After an honest to goodness LOL (laugh-out-loud), I promptly re-shared it, and watched my Facebook notifications light up.
For the record, I am an unabashed lover and owner of a minivan.
I didn’t have much of a cool factor to lose to begin with (shocking, I know), so I personally jumped for joy when we drove that miracle of multi-functional engineering home from the lot.
But before your eyes roll too far back into your head, factor in that I had been rocking the early 1990s compact sedan I got when I graduated from college, with two babies and all their stuff. I even somehow found a double stroller that fit in what I called my magical bottomless “Mary Poppins trunk.”
When offered the opportunity, I willingly—giddily even—sold out, and capitulated to the car that inspires venomous scorn in so many of my peers.
I didn’t, and don’t care.
No more wedging my kids into their car seats next to goliaths, parked ridiculously crookedly or close to my itty-bitty car. No more getting soaked in the rain, while I wrestle, half in and half out of a car door, with coats and car seats.
No matter which direction I am parked, a door beautifully slides open with the touch of a button. And oh my goodness, two words: seat heaters.
And, even if all that hadn’t convinced me, the day I folded down the third row, popped out my kids’ seats and fit an entire bunk bed and dresser into the back, earned this tragically unhip mom's undying loyalty, to a minivan.
Where do you stand in the great minivan debate?
Tell us in the comments.
Laura Kraskowsky
7:47 am on Friday, January 27, 2012
I always said "I am NOT a mini-van girl", but it turns out I am a mini-van lover, too! I don't have to worry about my kids flinging their doors into neighboring cars and I can fit 7 clowns (er, I mean kids) into my clown car and all their stuff too! My car may be uncool, but it sure is handy!
Kirsten Branch
8:36 am on Friday, January 27, 2012
Oh yes, the flinging of the door into other cars was also a BIG consideration! I wonder if our clowns will be fighting over or shunning the minivan when they are older? (Obviously, I tend to hold onto my cars for awhile.)
Laura Kraskowsky
8:41 am on Friday, January 27, 2012
Oh, I figure that if my clowns want a ride, they will embrace the minivan! Or at least be quiet about it! Otherwise, they can be cool on their feet ;P!
Terry Parris Jr.
12:32 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
I've never met a minivan that didn't have Cherrios on the floorboards.
Kirsten Branch
12:44 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
Well then, I invite you to inspect mine (I have a no food rule--mean mom!), but sand, now that's an entirely different matter. ;)
Terry Parris Jr.
12:51 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
What good is a minivan if you can't eat Cherrios in it?!
Karen Morelli
9:09 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
I LOVE my van! It took my family to Colorado and back, has been to Disneyland several times and has transported my kids and their friends to many events (which, by the way, is the best way to find out what your kids and their friends are up to!). I am proud to be a mini-van Mom, and the kids can eat all they want in the car as long as they clean up!
Kirsten Branch
8:33 am on Saturday, January 28, 2012
So the minivan "haters" are curiously silent. Tell us, why won't we find you in one? Or, do you secretly covet a minivan? ;)
SRNewbie
3:52 pm on Tuesday, January 31, 2012
I LOVED my minivan. I say "loved" because due to a car accident we had to get a new vehicle. We didn't go with a minivan this time around --instead we went with an SUV. I now LOVE our SUV. We had our minivan since my kids were babies until age 9. I loved the sliding door feature on our van, but now that my kids are older, they can get in and out of the SUV without problem. It seats 8 so we've had many friends and family ride with us, just as we did with the minivan. I know people who wouldn't dare drive a mini-van, but i loved mine when i had it. It served its purpose especially because I had babies/toddlers as passengers. I guess you can say that we've "upgraded" and now we love this new vehicle.
Kirsten Branch
11:33 pm on Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Thanks for adding this! You bring up a good point...a minivan may be more a "season of life/parenting" thing. It addresses a certain need and then we move on.
Kari Hulac
6:41 am on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
I don't *love love* mine, but I love being able to road trip friends and family without taking three different cars everywhere. Have to say, though, rented a Kia sedan in L.A. for a few days, and found it amazingly fun to zip around in...I could park anywhere! Change lanes quickly! But it won't be mine until nest is empty. (P.S. there are crab claws from our last beach trip wedged in the door slider area.)