My husband and I are expecting our second (and third) baby in a few months. Having twins is not something we planned for, and now we are faced with the question of how we transport our toddler, two babies and two small dogs around without breaking the budget?
We currently have a small SUV that certainly won't hold three car seats, a double stroller and two dogs but we hate to give it up because we love driving it. We know minivans have more room and will probably be more comfortable than what we have now, but I'm not keen on becoming a minivan mom.
What are our options? Do we really have to get a minivan? - Nadine in Medicine Hat
Priorities certainly change when you have a team of tots to transport.
You won't be thanking your Bose sound system, sun roof, or spoiler when you've got car seats, dog crates, and strollers to cart around. Adequate room, ease of use and safety should be top of mind, in addition to planning for the future.
Consider the space factor alone. Your options are narrowed down to minivans, SUVs and crossovers.
Crossovers have very little storage room behind the back seat. You may prefer driving a roomy SUV, but of course they're usually higher off the ground. Unless you're looking for an extra workout, you may regret this when you're lifting a 20-kilogram child and a car seat.
There are reasons minivans are so popular. They're lower to the ground, and easy to access through the sliding side door. Typically, the seats can be removed, and in the case of the Dodge Grand Caravan, they can be completely folded down into the floor.
On to safety, which should be your number one concern. Take a look at crash test ratings to see how well specific models perform under impact. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website - safercar.gov - enables you to compare vehicles in many crash tests and rollover ratings. The U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website - iihs.org - is another good resource.
The size and configuration of the back seats, and the ability to secure three child seats is important in your case. When installing child seats, you'll need to have the right kind of seat belt or anchorage system.
"It's absolutely critical to have children restrained properly. We strongly recommend keeping them in rear-facing seats until they've outgrown them, to a minimum of one year," says David Dunne, director of road safety strategies for the British Columbia Automobile Association. "A new vehicle will likely have a three-point harness in each seating position. If it's a used vehicle, you may need to look more carefully. Make sure to take the seats you're going to use with you when shopping for a new vehicle."
Also, remember to plan for the future. Consider how long you're going to keep the vehicle, and the changes your children will go through in that time period. If you need extra help, there are experts who can offer advice for any particular situation. For example, in B.C., BCAA provides a toll-free number for access to child safety educators.
You have other options, but though they may not be the epitome of style, minivans have the space and superior ease of use for your needs. Look on the bright side. Even with the twins, a toddler and two dogs packed in, you're still far from the transportation challenges facing Octomom.
Joanne Will welcomes your questions. E-Mail Ask Joanne at globedrive@globeandmail.com
Natalie Lisinska is proud of her new licence, new car and InSecurity