I've been branded a 'soccor mom'

[rainbowbright]

I knew it was going to eventually happen sooner or later, but we had to buy a mini-van yesterday since we won't be able to fit the six of us in my sedan. I can't believe I've fallen into this realm- I swore I was never going to go there. At least it's big and roomy and the kids get in and out much easier. Uh, so depressing

[Khaleas]

My sympathies! :help:


^_^

[Orthosdoxa]

Aw, don't be depressed. I'd LOVE to have a mini-van!

LK

[holyorders]

Its a great honor to be a soccer-mom! If I get married I plan on having a soccer family of 4.....maybe 6......heck even 8. ;)

[ClementofRome]

I had a van for years (actually several) when it was just me and then just me and wife. I don't have one now and miss it terribly. My current commute to work is 140 miles round trip, so I gotta go small!

[nutroll]

I've been driving a mini-van since I was about 23 or so. Not long before I bought it, a late 30s early 40s year old man at my church was complaining that it made him feel old buying a minivan, I had no pity for him.

I don't think the stigma is so bad anymore. My sister now has two of them so that anyone who has to drive the kids anywhere has a car big enough....

[kamikat]

you have my sympathies! While I don't have a mini-van, I have been driving station wagons for 6 years. If it weren't for the laws requiring carseats until 60lbs in my state, I could have stayed in a sedan, but I never would have gotten big dogs if I still had the sedan.
kamikat

[Orthosdoxa]

We had a 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 Van with only 60K on it that ran great. Traded it in for a 2003 Alero last year. Now that the kidlets are on the way, I think that trade was about the stupidest thing we could've done. :doh:

LK

[OrthodoxyUSA]

I knew it was going to eventually happen sooner or later, but we had to buy a mini-van yesterday since we won't be able to fit the six of us in my sedan. I can't believe I've fallen into this realm- I swore I was never going to go there. At least it's big and roomy and the kids get in and out much easier. Uh, so depressing

Ah... you thought you'd be a young sporty chick all your life huh.....

Just goes to show ya! Never say never.

I am guilty as well.

Forgive me....:liturgy:

[ClementofRome]

But, alas...keep in mind that this is not a permanent condition....my lovely wife of 22 years, now that the kids are mid-late teens and we are seeing them rarely....is perfectly happy enjoying her new mid-life crisis!: a Mini-Cooper Convertible with the supercharged engine and the racing suspension!!!!

[DonVA]

My sister, the mother of three (two play soccer!) swore she would never drive a mini-van. The plan was always to go with an SUV.

So GUESS what she came driving up in when she visited me last summer?

It happens. Even to those who fight it the hardest!

[Annabel Lee]

I knew it was going to eventually happen sooner or later, but we had to buy a mini-van yesterday since we won't be able to fit the six of us in my sedan. I can't believe I've fallen into this realm- I swore I was never going to go there. At least it's big and roomy and the kids get in and out much easier. Uh, so depressing

Welcome to the club. Your membership is in the mail.:cool:

[Orthosdoxa]

We are so flat broke right now, but if anyone wants to give me a mini-van, I would happily drive it. :)

[OnTheWay]

you have my sympathies! While I don't have a mini-van, I have been driving station wagons for 6 years. If it weren't for the laws requiring carseats until 60lbs in my state, I could have stayed in a sedan, but I never would have gotten big dogs if I still had the sedan.
kamikat

60 pounds, that's absurd. I swear one of these days they've have it rigged that you have to be in a car seat until you're old enough to drive the car.

[OnTheWay]

I knew it was going to eventually happen sooner or later, but we had to buy a mini-van yesterday since we won't be able to fit the six of us in my sedan. I can't believe I've fallen into this realm- I swore I was never going to go there. At least it's big and roomy and the kids get in and out much easier. Uh, so depressing

If it makes you feel any better in the last 6 or 7 years vans have gotten a lot more attention in terms of design and features. Volume of sales has always depressed re-sale values, but hey at least your van is as well designed as any other passenager machine on the road these days. :thumbsup:

[Matrona]

60 pounds, that's absurd. I swear one of these days they've have it rigged that you have to be in a car seat until you're old enough to drive the car.

I read a billboard on a freeway that said that kids have to be 4' 9" before they can ride without a booster seat. If that had been in effect when I was younger, I would have been riding in a booster seat until I was in high school. (Thank the great good Lord for late growth spurts.)

[Khaleas]

I read a billboard on a freeway that said that kids have to be 4' 9" before they can ride without a booster seat. If that had been in effect when I was younger, I would have been riding in a booster seat until I was in high school. (Thank the great good Lord for late growth spurts.)

I don't think my grandma would have ever gotten out of the booster seat. ^_^

[OnTheWay]

I think the vast majority of parents are smart enough to know when their child is ready to lose the car seat. I think it's Maryland were the child has to be 8 years old or five feet tall to go without a car seat. My personal opinion is that it's unneccesary meddling by the state, and of course I'm sure the car seat industry loves the ever growing restrictions.

[kamikat]

I think the vast majority of parents are smart enough to know when their child is ready to lose the car seat. I think it's Maryland were the child has to be 8 years old or five feet tall to go without a car seat. My personal opinion is that it's unneccesary meddling by the state, and of course I'm sure the car seat industry loves the ever growing restrictions.

I'm in Maryland. The law is 6 yrs and 60lbs, but the recommendation is 8 years and 5ft tall. When my pediatrician said that, I busted out laughing, then asked where I could get an adult carseat, since I'm only 5ft tall.

kamikat

[ByzantineDixie]

But, alas...keep in mind that this is not a permanent condition....my lovely wife of 22 years, now that the kids are mid-late teens and we are seeing them rarely....is perfectly happy enjoying her new mid-life crisis!: a Mini-Cooper Convertible with the supercharged engine and the racing suspension!!!!

Tell your wife "right on!" After 20 years of marriage, when our oldest went off to college and our youngest started high school...I handed the "soccer mom" van (the third of a series of three Astro Vans) down to my husband and I got a VW New Beetle!

And while mini van freedom is good...cherish the time you have with your little ones...it is so true that they grow up too fast. :sigh:

[DonVA]

I don't think my grandma would have ever gotten out of the booster seat. ^_^
My 13 year-old would have to be in one now!

[rainbowbright]

My husband seems to be way more excited about it than me since he's driven it all day and didn't get a chance, oh well. My neighbors seem to like it and we reffered them to our salesman, so hopefully we'll get $100.
I remember sitting up front in the car with my mom and no car seat or booster seat (we also lived in Greece) but wow times have really changed. I do think my son will be out of his booster soon because he's already 4 1/2 feet tall and is not even four yet

[OnTheWay]

I'm in Maryland. The law is 6 yrs and 60lbs, but the recommendation is 8 years and 5ft tall. When my pediatrician said that, I busted out laughing, then asked where I could get an adult carseat, since I'm only 5ft tall.

kamikat

Guess not Maryland, but there are a bunch of states that require it, here's a graph:
http://www.inventiveparent.com/state-laws.htm

[Michael the Iconographer]

My sympathies! :help:


^_^

Sounds like you aer well on the way down the same path, Mrs. I just bought a land yacht! :D

[Michael the Iconographer]

Its a great honor to be a soccer-mom! If I get married I plan on having a soccer family of 4.....maybe 6......heck even 8. ;)

You better make sure your wife agrees to that! :P

[EricTheRed]

The more kids we have. The more Orthodox there will be. We shall make america Orthodox ;)

[Michael the Iconographer]

But, alas...keep in mind that this is not a permanent condition....my lovely wife of 22 years, now that the kids are mid-late teens and we are seeing them rarely....is perfectly happy enjoying her new mid-life crisis!: a Mini-Cooper Convertible with the supercharged engine and the racing suspension!!!!

Does that mean I am going through a mid-life crisis at 32, because I am already thinking intently about what kind of sports car I want to start stashing money to buy? I really cant decide if I want a convertible, or an 80s vintage 911!

[Oblio]

a Mini-Cooper Convertible with the supercharged engine and the racing suspension!!!!



I've got an S too, hardtop though. I just sold my standard MINI, so we are down to one.

[Oblio]

Our Anna is almost ready for a booster at 27 mos :D

[Michael the Iconographer]

I've got an S too, hardtop though. I just sold my standard MINI, so we are down to one.

Sounds like it is time to think about a mini rag top?!

[Oblio]

Sounds like it is time to think about a mini rag top?!

Would be nice, but I sold our std MINI, paid off that, the MINI-S, and our truck with the proceeds! Being debt free (well almost, we still have a small CC debt) rocks !

[Michael the Iconographer]

Would be nice, but I sold our std MINI, paid off that, the MINI-S, and our truck with the proceeds! Being debt free (well almost, we still have a small CC debt) rocks !

Yeah, I just paid off a good portion of my debts, with the exception of my college loan and car (which is done in March) and it is awesome to no longer have any credit card debt or anything like that. What I was paying on my 3 credit cards was more than what my mortgage will be on my house!

[Oblio]

Our cars were 3x our house payment :eek:

[Michael the Iconographer]

Our cars were 3x our house payment :eek:

OUCH!

[Khaleas]

Sounds like you aer well on the way down the same path, Mrs. I just bought a land yacht! :D

Gotta fit all the cats and dogs you know... :P

[Michael the Iconographer]

Gotta fit all the cats and dogs you know... :P

Does that mean I need either a Ford Excursion or GMC Suburban for me and my 3 dogs? LOL!

[ClementofRome]

Would be nice, but I sold our std MINI, paid off that, the MINI-S, and our truck with the proceeds! Being debt free (well almost, we still have a small CC debt) rocks !

This Mini-S ROCKS! I have a hard time getting in and out of it as I am tall and large, but once in it,.....it ROCKS. Six speed on the floor and it will FLY!

Now, I don't drive it often, but the wife has a craving for speed in corners and in case you have not checked, the MINI has no spare tire. So, it has the low-profile no-blow tires. She wore out the fronts on 10 months to the tune of $700!

Good grief!

[rainbowbright]

My actual dream car is a silver new beetle convertable. It will be MY car for ME to drive in. I can fit all four kids when they're older and don't have to have car seats, but it wouldn't be the family car, that's for sure. That's all I ask for

[choirfiend]

I love my little 99Corolla. It's nothing fancy by any stretch of the imagination, but it gets me around, it gets amazing gas mileage if I put the cruise on and take the lead foot off the pedal(42mpg at 60mph!!!), it's a manual so there's no expensive repairs to a stinkin' automatic transmission, and with only 60k on it, I can hope to drive it for another 10 years!!!

[Matrona]

I love my little 99Corolla. It's nothing fancy by any stretch of the imagination, but it gets me around, it gets amazing gas mileage if I put the cruise on and take the lead foot off the pedal(42mpg at 60mph!!!), it's a manual so there's no expensive repairs to a stinkin' automatic transmission, and with only 60k on it, I can hope to drive it for another 10 years!!!

Oh my goodness! I might have to get me one of those, although I don't know if I could drive a stick. I can't even walk and chew gum. :D

[buzuxi02]

well, im single, so im holding onto my 1600cc motorcycle for as long as i can.

[DonVA]

I miss my manual transmission! It always makes any car FEEL like a race car! :D

[Khaleas]

I miss my manual transmission! It always makes any car FEEL like a race car! :D

Yes, but you quickly learn how much it stinks to have when you have to drive the DC or Baltimore beltway traffic in the morning. :sick:

My brothers always make fun of me when I go to Finland and have to drive a stick. Sure I remember how to do it, but timing is always a little off.
Before I moved I had an Audi turbo diesel and that thing was quick as anything, great gas milage and sport suspension. And it drove like on rails, hauled the caravan like a champ and was just a fun car. I miss it but I actually got to drive it last time I was home as I sold it to my very good friend.

[Oblio]

Now, I don't drive it often, but the wife has a craving for speed in corners and in case you have not checked, the MINI has no spare tire. So, it has the low-profile no-blow tires. She wore out the fronts on 10 months to the tune of $700!


Been there, done that :eek: Don't they slide nice :thumbsup:

[ufonium2]

My parents stuck to their guns about never having a minivan. We had one tiny car (Nissan 240) and what I would call a "maxi van," a big ol' conversion van for trips.

Regarding the car seat, in Kentucky it's now 80 lbs! I know several adult women who aren't that big.

[Michael the Iconographer]

I miss my manual transmission! It always makes any car FEEL like a race car! :D

Manual transmissions are no fun to drive in Pittsburgh in the snow in the winter.

[Khaleas]

Manual transmissions are no fun to drive in Pittsburgh in the snow in the winter.

Manuals are so much better to drive in snow than automatics... much more control.

[Michael the Iconographer]

Manuals are so much better to drive in snow than automatics... much more control.

Not when going up a hill in 6 inches of snow...

[Khaleas]

Not when going up a hill in 6 inches of snow...

Nah, you just have to learn how to drive... :P

[Michael the Iconographer]

Nah, you just have to learn how to drive... :P

You going to teach me how to do that? I actually got my manual honda stuck at the bottom of the hill we lived on in Pittsburgh during a blizzard in January '01.

[Khaleas]

From CNN.com

http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/07/21/crossovers.fortune/index.html

"
By one count, there are 41 crossover models on the road today with as many as 50 expected before too long. Sales of crossovers are expected to pass traditional SUVs this year for the first time. Crossovers are also stealing sales from minivans but that has to do more with image than functionality. Customers can't shake the idea that minivans are utilitarian suburban vehicles for soccer moms and they can't wait to get out of them once the kids are grown."

^_^ ^_^ ^_^

[OnTheWay]

The more kids we have. The more Orthodox there will be. We shall make america Orthodox ;)

"Make war by making love, outbreed the enemy."

I have absolutely no idea who said it.

[Michael the Iconographer]

From CNN.com

http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/07/21/crossovers.fortune/index.html

"
By one count, there are 41 crossover models on the road today with as many as 50 expected before too long. Sales of crossovers are expected to pass traditional SUVs this year for the first time. Crossovers are also stealing sales from minivans but that has to do more with image than functionality. Customers can't shake the idea that minivans are utilitarian suburban vehicles for soccer moms and they can't wait to get out of them once the kids are grown."

^_^ ^_^ ^_^

I didn't know crossovers were real SUV's?