whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Jul 25, 2015 16:10:40 GMT -5
OK, so it's great for all of you who were able to drive 10 kids on the back of your bicycle and fit all their stuff there as well. I couldn't. And I didn't have a lot of "stuff". It was the kind of stuff that I had. My stroller was huge and heavy. Could I have fitted in the trunk of my 2dr Nissan? maaayybe. But did I want to? Not really. I know this is YM, but common guys, it's really not a federal crime to want a bit more convenience for certain things. No, it's not wrong to want convenience. Heck, my current car is practically a tank.
My point wasn't that everybody could or should fit 10 kids on their bicycle. It was a response to someone who said they had no idea how someone else coped with their 2 door car - I was pointing out that it's not a big deal depending on what you choose. Neither a big car nor a small car is the 100% right choice for everybody.
The important thing is being realistic about what you can do and are willing to do. If I remember correctly, I was one who told Carl that although it was completely possible to haul around his family in the Mini SUV, it was crazy to buy it because it was completely unrealistic to expect that his wife would think it was adequate based on her earlier choices and behavior. So... possible? Yes. Good idea? Nope.
Oh I completely agree with you, I just think that we, on YM, have a tendency to go some interesting extremes.
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Mardi Gras Audrey
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So well rounded, I'm pointless...
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Post by Mardi Gras Audrey on Jul 25, 2015 16:16:36 GMT -5
I've been driving my 1998 Nissan maxima since 2002. I had my first baby in 2011, my second baby in 2014 and my third will be here in 2016. I went looking at minivans yesterday only because there is no way I can fit 3 car seats in my sedan. But, I'm not even that worried about it. I'd like to have one next spring, but I'll make due if it's next summer and just not have all the kids in the same car at once.
There is a big difference between 3 kids and 2 adults and 1 baby and 2 adults, so your wife is stretching. But maybe your car really is that small.
. Why are you in 3 car seats? Does a 4 year old have to be on a car seat now? In 2016, your oldest will be 5, right? Have the laws changed that much since I had my kids? It depends on the state. In CA, I believe you have to have a Booster seat until age 8 or 4'9" or taller? It is very irritating. I know we had some family visit last year from out of state and had to buy a booster for their 6 year old (They live in a state where you don't need a booster after age 4). Because we don't have kids (So didn't have a booster seat) and were carting them around, we got to go buy one. The expense wasn't an issue but the kids was pretty big so he looked ridiculous and uncomfortable wedged on the booster seat between his dad and older brother.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Jul 25, 2015 16:17:41 GMT -5
Holy crap. Crazy
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Jul 25, 2015 16:28:20 GMT -5
I've been driving my 1998 Nissan maxima since 2002. I had my first baby in 2011, my second baby in 2014 and my third will be here in 2016. I went looking at minivans yesterday only because there is no way I can fit 3 car seats in my sedan. But, I'm not even that worried about it. I'd like to have one next spring, but I'll make due if it's next summer and just not have all the kids in the same car at once.
There is a big difference between 3 kids and 2 adults and 1 baby and 2 adults, so your wife is stretching. But maybe your car really is that small.
. Why are you in 3 car seats? Does a 4 year old have to be on a car seat now? In 2016, your oldest will be 5, right? Have the laws changed that much since I had my kids? 8 years old and 80 pounds where I live.
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Jul 25, 2015 16:29:18 GMT -5
No, it's not wrong to want convenience. Heck, my current car is practically a tank.
My point wasn't that everybody could or should fit 10 kids on their bicycle. It was a response to someone who said they had no idea how someone else coped with their 2 door car - I was pointing out that it's not a big deal depending on what you choose. Neither a big car nor a small car is the 100% right choice for everybody.
The important thing is being realistic about what you can do and are willing to do. If I remember correctly, I was one who told Carl that although it was completely possible to haul around his family in the Mini SUV, it was crazy to buy it because it was completely unrealistic to expect that his wife would think it was adequate based on her earlier choices and behavior. So... possible? Yes. Good idea? Nope.
Oh I completely agree with you, I just think that we, on YM, have a tendency to go some interesting extremes. I cannot believe you said it out loud!!!
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Jul 25, 2015 16:31:58 GMT -5
. Why are you in 3 car seats? Does a 4 year old have to be on a car seat now? In 2016, your oldest will be 5, right? Have the laws changed that much since I had my kids? 8 years old and 80 pounds where I live. Holy crap. That's ridiculous. An 8 year old is not a baby.
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milee
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Post by milee on Jul 25, 2015 16:36:41 GMT -5
. Why are you in 3 car seats? Does a 4 year old have to be on a car seat now? In 2016, your oldest will be 5, right? Have the laws changed that much since I had my kids? 8 years old and 80 pounds where I live. Yikes - my 11 year old doesn't even weigh 80 pounds. He's a little more than average height among kids his age, but he's a tall, skinny guy - just hit 65 pounds.
My older son has always been very small for his age and didn't hit 80 pounds until he was 13 or so.
Both would be mortified if they had to ride in a car seat.
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Jul 25, 2015 16:41:17 GMT -5
Yeah, I don't think it has to do with being "a baby" and restraining a child from moving around but more about safety mechanisms in case of a car crash. DH didn't believe in it either and wouldn't make DD#2 sit in in one after she turned six.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2015 16:43:05 GMT -5
MN is 7 years old and 4'9" tall. They suggest a booster to 80 pounds and backseat to age 13. My 5 year old is still in a 5 point harness and the only reason we're moving him to a booster this year is ex is going to need another 5 point soon and we said he could have it. DS likes his car seat and doesn't want to get rid of it because he can see out the windows better, but he is excited about being able to go in the third row in the van with the booster right now he's stuck in the same spot all the time. He doesn't look too big for it (bonus new baby chick picture).
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on Jul 25, 2015 16:44:46 GMT -5
Don't stress about the car now. If you need a bigger one (for YM reasons or not) you can deal with it then. The two years of rear-facing seats is the biggest challenge for small cars, not the amount of stuff in the trunk. I'm done with rear-facing ... YAY! Interestingly enough, I had much easier time getting an infant car seat in my 2dr Nissan than in my 2008 Outback bc Nissan doors open very wide and 2008 Outback had a very narrow back door opening. However, to fit my humangous stroller into Nissan's trunk was not a challenge I was willing to undertake. Since your kids were so close together, IMO, you can do whatever you want! But really in YM land you didn't need a stroller and should have just used scrap cloth from your old clothes as an aide to carry all 3 on your back
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Jul 25, 2015 17:42:25 GMT -5
I've been driving my 1998 Nissan maxima since 2002. I had my first baby in 2011, my second baby in 2014 and my third will be here in 2016. I went looking at minivans yesterday only because there is no way I can fit 3 car seats in my sedan. But, I'm not even that worried about it. I'd like to have one next spring, but I'll make due if it's next summer and just not have all the kids in the same car at once.
There is a big difference between 3 kids and 2 adults and 1 baby and 2 adults, so your wife is stretching. But maybe your car really is that small.
. Why are you in 3 car seats? Does a 4 year old have to be on a car seat now? In 2016, your oldest will be 5, right? Have the laws changed that much since I had my kids? She will turn 5 eight months after the new baby is here, assuming the new baby doesn't arrive early. The best I can do is move her to a booster, because as others have said, you have to keep 4-7 year olds in at least a booster. Boosters aren't that small either. Things were definitely simpler before, but I guess it is safer.
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Jul 25, 2015 17:47:32 GMT -5
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Jul 25, 2015 18:24:27 GMT -5
Interestingly enough, I had much easier time getting an infant car seat in my 2dr Nissan than in my 2008 Outback bc Nissan doors open very wide and 2008 Outback had a very narrow back door opening. However, to fit my humangous stroller into Nissan's trunk was not a challenge I was willing to undertake. Since your kids were so close together, IMO, you can do whatever you want! But really in YM land you didn't need a stroller and should have just used scrap cloth from your old clothes as an aide to carry all 3 on your back I am going to tell you how YM I really am!!! I never had a double stroller even though I did have 3 kids in 3 yrs. My first stroller was so expensive that once I needed for the next kid, the older one got evicted.
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milee
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Post by milee on Jul 25, 2015 18:36:44 GMT -5
Since your kids were so close together, IMO, you can do whatever you want! But really in YM land you didn't need a stroller and should have just used scrap cloth from your old clothes as an aide to carry all 3 on your back I am going to tell you how YM I really am!!! I never had a double stroller even though I did have 3 kids in 3 yrs. My first stroller was so expensive that once I needed for the next kid, the older one got evicted. The only stroller I had was one of those tiny, cheapie "umbrella" type strollers and we only used that maybe 10 times total. But I'm not really sure that it was for money saving reasons as much as I hated, hated, hated those huge strollers that seemed as big as a car themselves. They were just too big for me to want to push one around, plus they made me feel retarded when it came to trying to fold them up and put them away. Some of my coworkers got together and gave me a nice expensive one, but I donated it to Goodwill.
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on Jul 25, 2015 18:42:22 GMT -5
I went the umbrella route also
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Jul 25, 2015 19:22:59 GMT -5
I am going to tell you how YM I really am!!! I never had a double stroller even though I did have 3 kids in 3 yrs. My first stroller was so expensive that once I needed for the next kid, the older one got evicted. The only stroller I had was one of those tiny, cheapie "umbrella" type strollers and we only used that maybe 10 times total. But I'm not really sure that it was for money saving reasons as much as I hated, hated, hated those huge strollers that seemed as big as a car themselves. They were just too big for me to want to push one around, plus they made me feel retarded when it came to trying to fold them up and put them away. Some of my coworkers got together and gave me a nice expensive one, but I donated it to Goodwill. I really liked mine. My oldest also slept in it for the first 4 months as we didn't have a crib or bassinet. But yes, being 5'1 and not very graceful, I am pretty sure I looked ridiculous every time I tried to fold it and put it in the car
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Angel!
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Post by Angel! on Jul 25, 2015 19:42:00 GMT -5
8 years old and 80 pounds where I live. Holy crap. That's ridiculous. An 8 year old is not a baby. It doesn't have to do with being a baby. It has to do with height and where the seat belt crosses your chest. If you are short it crosses along the neck which isn't safe. A booster lifts the kid up and insures the belt crosses the chest in the safest location.
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Works4me
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Post by Works4me on Jul 25, 2015 20:05:29 GMT -5
Gotta ask - where are you going to put your MIL? Somehow I doubt you could get away tying her on the roof of the car like they did in the original National Lampoon's Vacation movie. Does she have her own car? If so, that could be helpful.
ETA - something to pay attention to is the length of time a vehicle holds your wife's interest. Also, the car issue is a problem she can do something about. It really must be hard for her - is this the first real thing that is a in life that has not come her way just by wanting? I feel for both of you - it makes one stronger and more compassionate but it still sucks and it's really hard.
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mollyanna58
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Post by mollyanna58 on Jul 25, 2015 20:12:37 GMT -5
Anyway my concern with the 1 car is the miscommunication and double bookings etc. She plan on doing this while I planned on doing something else and only 1 car.... But I think we can make it work or I will have to buy a car sooner than I want to That does seem to happen a lot with Mrs. C.
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Jul 25, 2015 20:22:37 GMT -5
I am going to tell you how YM I really am!!! I never had a double stroller even though I did have 3 kids in 3 yrs. My first stroller was so expensive that once I needed for the next kid, the older one got evicted. The only stroller I had was one of those tiny, cheapie "umbrella" type strollers and we only used that maybe 10 times total. But I'm not really sure that it was for money saving reasons as much as I hated, hated, hated those huge strollers that seemed as big as a car themselves. They were just too big for me to want to push one around, plus they made me feel retarded when it came to trying to fold them up and put them away. Some of my coworkers got together and gave me a nice expensive one, but I donated it to Goodwill. We never had a travel system either. I also hated the huge strollers. And for us, not practical. They don't go in crowded spaces easily and they don't go on hiking trails easily. They also don't go on public transportation very easily. We had backpack. So nice and easy. Though, I don't know how much cheaper it was as compared to a stroller system. We used an cheap umbrella stroller when we needed a stroller. It's looking pretty gross..I imagine we'll probably be pitching next year.
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simser
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Post by simser on Jul 25, 2015 20:30:15 GMT -5
Thanks but everything worked out for the best I just wanted to let Carl know not to count chickens before they hatched!!!
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cronewitch
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Post by cronewitch on Jul 25, 2015 20:56:26 GMT -5
Holy crap. That's ridiculous. An 8 year old is not a baby. It doesn't have to do with being a baby. It has to do with height and where the seat belt crosses your chest. If you are short it crosses along the neck which isn't safe. A booster lifts the kid up and insures the belt crosses the chest in the safest location. Yet somehow they make the short adults where it across the neck without a booster seat. Mom used to have her seat welded higher so she could drive and see. Her mom was never over 4'9" but didn't drive they should have made her ride in the back seat too and have a booster seat. Seems if they are going on height they shouldn't count age to get out of it. Put all short people in booster seats or just build cars that fit and seat belts that don't go across the neck. I use binder clips to clip the belt on it's self so it doesn't hurt, would be nice if they made them that adjusted enough to fit no just one or two inches down from the high setting.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Jul 25, 2015 21:08:33 GMT -5
Something about adult bones being stronger than little kids bones, probably not the case for the elderly though.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Jul 25, 2015 21:29:33 GMT -5
Another reason to be grateful my kids are grown. I couldn't wait for DD to get out of her car seat so I could drive a non mom mobile at last!! I'd have been arrested, along with most of the moms in my neighborhood for free range children as well. Why do people just fold when this crap gets passed? I get it for babies that can't even sit up but omg, a freaking 8 year old?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2015 21:31:08 GMT -5
Let the "I told you so" roll in.... My wife and I are talking about downsizing to a 1 car family soon (her car) and she texted me: "We may have to reevaluate once the baby arrives - had a hard time putting all the kids stuff in the trunk " The kids are we 3 little cousins that spent last week with us. True - So don't have 3 kids!!!! DO NOT let them outnumber you!
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teen persuasion
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Post by teen persuasion on Jul 25, 2015 21:59:53 GMT -5
I think kids take up the most space as infants because of the rear facing carseat, strollers and diaper bags. It gets better as they age. Maybe. But as someone else suggested, then it fills up with rock claiming gear, horseback riding gear, art portfolios, guitars... Guitars aren't that big. Cello, string bass, tubas, electric bass + amp - those are trickier, IME. . DS2 did all of those except cello (DS4), plus trombone and viola which are much more manageable. Seriously, Carl, you don't need a bigger car until you get to 3 kids. Then you need a third row, or just take two cars. That's years off. One step at a time.
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Angel!
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Post by Angel! on Jul 25, 2015 22:00:37 GMT -5
Another reason to be grateful my kids are grown. I couldn't wait for DD to get out of her car seat so I could drive a non mom mobile at last!! I'd have been arrested, along with most of the moms in my neighborhood for free range children as well. Why do people just fold when this crap gets passed? I get it for babies that can't even sit up but omg, a freaking 8 year old? For the past couple of decades deaths in car crashes has gone down significantly. It is because of 'crap' like this that people are safer now in cars than they have ever been. The booster seats aren't a big deal. It is basically the equivalent of sitting on a phone book so you are taller, but it is designed specifically for that purpose.
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Jul 25, 2015 22:05:38 GMT -5
My 5 yo is in a belt positioning booster, so he uses the regular seatbelt which goes through a loop in his seat. I don't think it's a big deal. It really does position the belt a lot better than it would otherwise be. The seat is quite a bit smaller/ narrower than his brother's car seat. As he approaches 8, we may remove the back so it just makes him sit taller. I agree that they should make them more adjustable. My mom's about 4-9 now, and it does cross her neck. The lowest setting still feels slightly high for me at 5-6.5.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2015 22:09:21 GMT -5
My front seat belts are adjustable. I think that is standard now?
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Angel!
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Post by Angel! on Jul 25, 2015 22:11:03 GMT -5
My front seat belts are adjustable. I think that is standard now? I think so. I borrowed my mom's car that she has had over a decade and adjusted the belt to be lower. She got in the car later and was shocked, she didn't know it could do that.
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