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Does Mom Want The Same Thing As Dad?
Jul 18 2007 by Emily Hansen
7/18/2007
Mother Proof’s Answer to the Suburban Dad Manifesto
Our friend Patrick Olsen over at Cars.com's KickingTires recently published his Suburban Dad Manifesto, a video about car features he finds indispensable. It got me thinking about the things I can't live without: ice cream, of course, and coffee; shopping for cute shoes — oops, that's my other list. Everything on my list of must-have features for my mom-mobile seems to have a common purpose: If mama's happy, everybody's happy.
While Suburban Dad loves his temperature gauge and auto-dimming side mirrors, I dream of heated and cooled seats and a big vanity mirror. Then there's entertainment, and I'm not just talking DVD player in the back, ladies. I'm talking about an MP3 jack (there's one where SD and I agree), satellite radio and the all-important wireless headphones. Having the kids listen to Raffi and Radio Disney in their own little world while I jam to my own tunes up front is my version of heaven. The only thing better would be a premium sound system for me and some noise-canceling headphones for the kids, so they don't keep telling me to turn down my tunes.
Another feature missing from his MANifesto is a perfect-sized center console. I don't need the massive junk collectors often found in giant SUVs, but give me somewhere to stash my cell phone, iPod and other various mom-gear (you know, the stain stick, baby wipes, sunscreen, breath mints, etc.) and I'm a happy girl.
I do think that one-touch down AND up on all windows is the biggest I-know-this-exists-so-why-don't-they-just-give-it-to-me feature on my list. The days of hanging out the window are gone for most kids; I know mine will never experience the sheer joy of making their hand do the wave out the window or sticking their necks out into oncoming traffic (ah, those were the days...), so let's give mom a break. This is how it will go: I'll shout, "Watch your hands and necks, the windows are going up," then hit the up button and, voila, it's done. I can't wait.
I think my girlfriend Laurie put it best when asked what her must-have car features would be. She replied, "An automatic Plexiglas shield between me and the backseat."
Rock on sister. You and your iPod are welcome in my car anytime.
User Comments
I want audio and/or visual backup sensors on each and every car I drive! And… a central vac system to suck up loose pretzel pieces from the cabin and shoot them out the tail pipe at the jerk that’s following me too closely on the highway.
One touch up windows were around some years back, but the lawyers (or was it the toddlers being strangled?) killed it off.
I really want something built into my key fob that will tell me EXACTLY where I parked. Am I really the only person who is forced to write down my exact location every time, before I go into the mall and totally forget? Especially in a familiar mall, where I have previously parked everywhere, so everywhere looks quite familiar. I am convinced that with RFID technology, or the GPS tracking devices they can build into your toddler’s shoe these days, my fantasy could easily be a reality. I just haven’t worked out how I could invent it myself and become an instant millionaire.
Another one is the key fob two click unlock and hold window roll down. A life saver on hot days! My husband’s Accord has this and I love it.