Three Car Seats in the Back of a Corolla
Jan 26th, 2010 by Bethany
I spent the morning piling the kids into the car, buckling them into their car seats, then unbuckling them and unloading them. Our kids’ car seats don’t really fit in our car. I’ve tried to fix that by replacing their seats and switching Degen to a booster now that he’s old enough (birthdays!), but although they love their new seats I am afraid that I still have to slam the door in order to get it firmly latched with all three of them in the back seat. Aware that it’s safest to have them in the back seat, preferably well into adulthood, I inquired last time we were at the pediatrician whether I’m allowed to put my boostered child in the front seat–hesitantly he admitted that boostered boy can be in the front, but only if the airbag on his side is disabled. No, I don’t know how to turn off the airbag. And it’s a big hassle to move him from back to front because the only way to get all three seats in the back is to put the booster in the center (his preferred spot regardless) and moving it once it’s wedged in is a serious undertaking. And anytime our whole family needs to go somewhere, we have to put all three kids in the back.
Hmph…Thus, as soon as we can manage it, it’ll be time to go for a bigger car. A SEVEN seater (since six seaters are always just a lame third seat in the front, right?). I really like our current car’s good gas mileage and doable insurance rate. I just want something safe and affordable to buy and drive. Colin’s thinking a Dodge Magnum. Anyone have an opinion?
Today we went to Goodwill, where I almost bought a third copy of 7 Habits (the other two are in storage) and a flat iron for about $13, inclusive. But I was in the jeans section after discovering in the car that mine are fast becoming threadbare when my boy informed me that he needed to go to the bathroom. No bathroom in Goodwill, the fast food restaurant in the same parking lot was presumably closed at 9am, and with no other bathroom friendly places in sight I dropped my planned purchases for good or ill, piled the crew into the car, and drove to the nearest bathroom (yay Star Restaurant!).
Bathroom duties accomplished, we headed to playgroup at a friend’s house. I didn’t mention that it’s raining–that’s why playgroup wasn’t at a park today. This friend has a humongous tub of trains and tracks, the kind every kid dreams of. Actually, she seems to have every kind of worthwhile toy. Lots of cars, Mr & Mrs Potato Heads, blocks, an indoor playground, one of those awesome sensory tubs, and on and on. All the kids were in pretty much in heaven. And there were lots of kids today, and lots of moms, so we all got our social cabin fever treated this morning. It was really fun to visit and watch the kids interact, despite a near choking incident and another one-year-old girl pulling Heidi’s hair (hard) in innocent fascination.
I don’t know what I was thinking, but after playgroup we went to the library, where I coincidentally ran into a new friend I’d met at playgroup. Fun! But both of us were a little harried by trying to keep up with our kids going in multiple directions and constantly threatening to destroy the children’s section of the library. For example, Heidi really wanted to push the power button on every library catalog computer. And Degen and Maggie almost started a contest at one point to see who could put the most books in their take-home pile. Thank goodness I caught that one before the shelves were totally emptied! Our library has pretty much no children’s books on goal setting or learning to do chores for preschoolers, though, which was my reason for the visit. I fortuitously got one that the librarian said was good on learning to tie your shoes of which all four copies were checked out. She put a hold on it for me and lo and behold, the book was returned by the woman walking into the building as I finished checking out. Neat!
Finally we’re home, all taking naps or having quiet time after a “lunch” of bananas, leftover biscuits, and bagels sent home from playgroup. I had Costco hummus and pita for breakfast…which reminds me, the container of hummus is still in my purse. And I need to get a new purse since one of my handles is broken.
On the one hand, the Magnum is a good looking option. As is the Ford Flex. Good space for people. Just not sure you would have enough trunk space if you were really using the back seat. If you are sure you are only having 3 kids I think it is a great option.
On the other hand, I’ll give you the advice given to us after we had Jacob. “Get over yourself and get a minivan.” (I like minivans, so there was no getting over myself for this particular purchase. Matt, on the other hand…..) Sliding (automatic!) doors are are so much easier to manage than regular opening ones. It is so much easier to get kids in and out of car seats when they are at your height. Plus, the backseat is truly usable and you’ll still have trunk space for the stroller AND groceries. And again, if you are even considering a 4th child during the life of this car, you will want something this large. And, you can actually take people with you and truly have space for them. (Think picking up people at the airport). I’ve folded down our seats and gotten a couch in ours. And on another trip fit a table and 8 chairs. It is just plain handy to have something this size.
Whatever you can easily drive to Utah works for me!
Most of the newer Corollas and other cars (I think after 2000 but not sure) have automatic airbag shot off if the weight in the front seat is under a certain amount. Not sure if yours is one of those. You should be able to google an owner’s manual to find outI would have to agree with Marcie’s comment–go for the minvan–although my brother absolutely LOVES his Honda Pilot (I little pricier, but has 4-wheel drive). I want a minivan and I haven’t even had my first baby yet (6 weeks and counting!)
We never considered a minivan until we had three kids, but let me agree with the above two comments and say- YES!! Mini-vans have lots of room in them, for your kids, stuff, etc… They do not hold 6 kids well though. (Chevy Venture does have 8 seatbelts, but we got it when we had 5 and didn’t plan on our 6th, and our kids were still little then) We have unfortunately stepped up to a Suburban now, and probably won’t move back down until our kids leave home. The oldest two are adults now, but we also have two boys who are adult sized, and two more to go, so even with just the boys, we will be driving the suburban for a few more years.
Please plan ahead on whatever number of kids you plan on having, add one (just in case..) and make sure your car will fit them all before you buy it. You will most likely have it at least 10 years or so, and planning ahead is key. Remember that they grow, and by 12 or so they are pretty much adult sized people. ( small adults I will give you, but my 15 year old is as big as my husband, and has been for almost 2 years now.)
I love Toyota’s. Our Corolla is 9 1/2 years old and has 259,000 miles on it and still going strong!! We use it whenever we go anywhere we are not taking more than 5 people. So, our Suburban gets limited mileage on it. The Toyota van is quite nice, and I have a few friends who have one and LOVE it!!
We have had the best luck over the years with going with what consumer reports says about vehicles, and haven’t gone wrong with that. Do lots of research first before you buy. They are expensive and might as well get what you really LOVE and what will last the longest. Good luck!!
Trade in the Corolla for a Sienna. The 2010s are out and with all the recall hoopla, the deals will be even better in March than they were in February. And if you are looking to lease, the same deals will apply.