What Your Car Says About Your Parenting Style
5/9/08
Here at MPGH (MotherProof.com Global Headquarters, don't cha know), our Mom-Reviewers each drive drastically different types of cars. This is (pardon the pun) proof positive that one size does not fit all. Chief Mother Kristin is about to purchase a compact car. Courtney, mom to Harry and a soon-to-arrive sibling drives a sedan. L.A. Lori sits behind the wheel of a minivan, and I drive a two-row SUV/crossover. Emily drives a three-row SUV/crossover. That led us to wonder, what does your car choice say about you?
Kristin (sporty compact): I’m considering buying a sporty compact, the new Volvo C30. This car just fits me (I'm sporty and, well, compact, although I prefer the term petite) and it echoes my style as a mom of two. As a single mom, I constantly struggle with the obnoxiously loud angel and devil sitting on either shoulder, and here’s what they say about my choice:
- Angel: Fueling up a larger car would tap into your kids’ college funds and your retirement fund. Remember, you don’t, after all, have a hubby’s income to fall back on.
- Devil: Right, but you still gotta show up to Friday night’s date looking smokin’.
- Angel: Don’t forget the kids’ safety. You can’t put that on the backburner just for style.
- Devil: Did I mention that he’s Australian and has a really sexy accent?
- Angel: And cargo space… You still have to haul both scooters and all the picnic gear to City Park next weekend.
- Devil: And he’s totally hot.
- Angel: The car only has two doors; the kids still need to get in and out easily, their booster seats must fit well, and they need to be able to buckle their own seatbelts independently.
- Devil: Enough with the mommy talk, already! What are you going to wear on your date?
- Angel: Don’t speak to me in that tone, young lady, or there’ll be a time out with your name all over it.
In the sporty compact, the mommy’s angel and devil coexist seamlessly as everybody gets what they want. The mom that drives a sporty compact smartly manages the family budget, realizes that excess isn’t really necessary, yet still cares about making a style statement of some variety.
Courtney (sedan): I do drive a sedan, but it's not as boring as it sounds. I'm not talking some rental car, dullsville drab sedan - I have a turbo-charged little four-door that is loads of fun to drive and fits into my life stage very well. I have an 18-month-old son and am pregnant with another (due this summer). We don't drive carpool, nor do we have loads of golf clubs and hockey sticks to tote around, so a smaller car works perfectly for us. In fact, I didn't buy a car in my adult life until I was nearly 30 and had just moved back to Denver from NYC. Having taken public transport or taxis in the big city for most of my adult life, I just couldn't handle the thought of a big SUV. A sedan was the way to go. I use the space in my car efficiently (there is a lot of cargo space in the trunk, btw); get great gas mileage; and enjoy zipping around town listening to tunes and singing to my son. Maybe I'll have to move on to a bigger vehicle as my family grows, but for now this sedan mommy is enjoying every minute of sedan life!
Sara (two-row crossover): I’m low-key. I like to keep things simple and streamlined. I’m carrying a family around, yes. But you might not know it by looking at my car. Guess what? I’m stealthily hauling a motherlode from Costco, but you couldn’t tell! Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud to be a mommy and I love my kids and my family life. But I like cars too, and just because I’m a mom I shouldn’t have to sacrifice that completely. No, I can’t take the baseball team to Pizza Hut after the game once a year. No, I can’t haul five ballerinas to the recital. Still, I can get good gas mileage and be comfortable in my car all day long every day. I’ve realized that I don’t need as much space as I thought I would when I became a parent. Whatever. That’s cool.
Emily (three-row crossover): I’m too freakin’ busy to even think about what my car says about me. I have a sporty black crossover with tinted windows so even when I’m completely frazzled, you couldn't tell. I’m always on the go, and my third row allows me the flexibility I desperately need in my life. I may be carpooling to school one day, or to a school board retreat the next. I don’t have time or energy to worry about what my car can or can’t do, I just relax knowing it can do everything. My generous nature means every time we’re going to the same place, I’ll offer you a lift. You going to MPGH? Do you need a ride? ‘Cause I can take you, and your kids!
Lori (minivan): Well, I drive the obligatory minivan, and I’m completely addicted to its practicality. I have a 2004 Honda Odyssey and I love it. OK, so maybe I’m not the coolest mom on the block, but c’mon — the doors open by themselves, people! On the other hand, buying a minivan is the ultimate vehicular concession to parenthood. Whatever it takes to get through the day, my friends!
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what did i miss - what's the big deal about the minivan? do folks have nothing else to say? obligatory? hmmm. this mama is happy to continue the minivan tradition... oh, you may have missed the memo, we drove the first minivans on the lot when i was - say a few years back - maybe others never got that thrill. maybe it's a life long love afair. Now my other car....
Posted by: CarolinaMama | May 12, 2008 1:33:59 PM