Here I am, two decades after my mom leased her first minivan, driving one of my own. I swore up and down I’d never be that mom. I was relieved when my mom (temporarily) traded her van in for a much cooler Jeep.
If I could go back in time, I would tell myself, “Never say never to a minivan.”
My friends laugh, “Yeah, yeah. We know. Your minivan is so convenient.”
Hear me out:
- No more dinging doors in parking lots while squeezing your infant seat into the car.
- Kicking a door closed while your hands are full? Not anymore!
- Why borrow that friend’s truck to haul a new piece of furniture home?
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Minivans Are Built for Moms
Since becoming a mom, my priorities have shifted to safety, comfort, and convenience. I have secure attachments to my husband and children. I haven’t “let myself go.” I have grown into myself. Mama Lauren is living for her, not for you.
I didn’t choose the minivan life. The minivan life chose me.
While carting my baby around in an old four-door compact sedan, I decided it was time for a change. My husband’s car had just broken down, and we were searching for something more family-friendly.
That’s when the stars seemed to align. My mom decided it was time to sell her minivan. She and my dad were ready to share one car. They desperately wanted safer transportation for their grandchild. I swallowed my pride and signed a check.
Now that I’ve grown accustomed to my smooth ride, I’m not sure I’ll ever drive a sedan again. Here’s why:
Safety Ratings
With safety features galore, minivans are among the safest vehicles for families. Backup cameras, collision warnings, and kid-friendly seatbelts give moms peace of mind.
Cargo Space
When I’m using the third row of seats, I still have a deep trunk. It’s perfect for neatly transporting groceries or hauling bikes to the park. When I stow away my third row, I have a flatbed. This is what I use for things like furniture pickups or helping friends move.
Leg Room
Push the seat back and recline. The spacious legroom of a minivan makes road travel feel luxurious. Regardless of how many people or bags we are hauling, my family has never felt cramped.
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Comfort
I don’t miss bending down to strap my toddler into his car seat. I can’t imagine not having lumbar support in my driver’s seat. My kids and I don’t have to climb up into a tall SUV, but we don’t have to crouch down into a compact car, either. Armrests, reclining seats in all rows, and separate controls for air conditioning make this ride comfortable for all.
Window Screens
Driving with a fussy baby can be distracting and dangerous. Luckily, the built-in window screens keep the sun out of baby’s eyes. No more suction cups falling down from an ill-fitted, store-bought screen!
Automatic Doors
When I drove a sedan, I would struggle to get my infant seat in and out of my parked car. Too often, the car next to mine was parked too close for me to get in or out. I would have to ask someone to watch my baby while I pulled out of the parking spot, put on my hazards, and rush to click his seat into its base. Now that I have automatic sliding doors, we get in and out with ease. My toddler even helps by pressing the button for me!
Separate Controls
How many of us moms in Collin County have used the A/C and heat on the same day? Separate temperature (and sometimes media) controls allow for all passengers to ride in comfort. I especially appreciate blasting the air conditioning up front while maintaining a higher temperature for my baby in the back.
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Accessibility
Did I mention that minivans are a great pick for accessibility? They are lower to the ground than SUVs, making ramp entry easier. They are spacious enough for people with disabilities to feel comfortable in any chair they might need. The automatic passenger doors, trunk, and modular seating make minivans an attractive choice for all people.
The CUPHOLDERS!!!
I cannot stress this enough. The amount of cupholders in my minivan is excessive, yet necessary. Each passenger has not one, but two cupholders. I find myself using one for water, one for iced coffee, a passenger cupholder for my toddler’s drink, and another for a baby bottle. Add any cupholders your child’s safety seat may have, and this is a game-changer.
For the Stylish Mamas
Still not sold? New models don’t even LOOK like minivans! I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the KIA Carnival at the State Fair of Texas. It looks more like a Range Rover SUV than a Kia minivan. Heck, even Lexus makes a (very luxurious) minivan now.
Ultimately, there’s a freedom in not caring what anyone thinks. There’s a coolness in embracing where you are in life. From naptime in the car seat to carpooling with teens, remember to never say never to a minivan.
