http://www.motherproof.com/ Stay on top of the latest car reviews, tips and trends from MotherProof.com with our RSS feeds en editor@motherproof.com Copyright 2009 2009-11-20T20:00:31-06:00 http://www.motherproof.com/news-rants/story/momosphere-11.20.09/ http://www.motherproof.com/news-rants/story/momosphere-11.20.09/#When:20:00:31Z Here’s some of favorite posts for this week: Little House of Indoctrination; Parenting.com When I was growing up, my best friend and I would always watch “Little House on the Prairie” reruns whenever we could. We loved to re-enact the stories, although there were quite a few arguments over who got to be Laura. Kathryn Thompson, who blogs at Daring Young Mom, recently introduced her family to “Little House.” “By the time the girls had fumbled their way down the flower-strewn meadow during the opening credits, my kids were hooked,” she writes. “When Pa broke his ribs, they gasped, ‘How will they grow their food for the winter?!’ Magoo asked, all concerned for the fallen pioneer.” I Will Not Get a Dog; Rocks In My Driver Family life is often a whirlwind. There are play dates to keep, games to attend and school activities to support. One of the ways we slow down and enjoy each other’s company is when we take our dog, Wrigley (yes, we’re Cubs fans and he’s named after the baseball field), for a walk. Shannon, who blogs at Rocks in my Dryer, didn’t want a dog in her hectic life, but she caved when she saw a photo of an adorable shelter dog. She writes, “His name is Toby, although in keeping with this family’s tradition to bestow multiple nicknames on anything that moves, he’s also known as Tobalicious, Toby Wan Kanobi, Totally Tobular, and Tober Meister Meister Tober.” The Road Rage is Here; The Pioneer Woman Speaking of enjoying the slower side of things, The Pioneer Woman, aka Ree Drummond, writes about road rage in the middle of cattle country. As a former resident of Los Angeles, she knows something about road rage and can recognize it in others who are waiting for a herd of cattle to cross the road. She writes, “Cowboys don’t understand road rage. If cattle need to be taken down the road, you take them down the road. There’s nothing so important that can’t wait until the cattle get down the road. If you’re so enslaved to your schedule that you come unglued over a five minute delay, you need to spend more time whittling on the porch in the evenings.” She might have a point there. 2009-11-20T20:00:31-06:00 http://www.motherproof.com/car-reviews/new/2010-buick-lacrosse/ http://www.motherproof.com/car-reviews/new/2010-buick-lacrosse/#When:16:02:14Z Having anticipated the arrival of the 2010 Buick LaCrosse for more than six months now, I can officially say this shining star was well worth the wait. I know what you’re thinking: “Buicks are for grandparents.” Au contraire. This luxurious car caters to families with its roominess and stunning good looks both inside and out. One of the reasons I’ve been so interested in the LaCrosse is it could make a fine family car. It could even spur the renaissance of the family sedan. Although the LaCrosse comes with a V-6 engine — my CXL test car’s made 252 horsepower — it isn’t going to break any zero-to-60-mph records. This car felt like it didn’t have enough power for hills, and it took a significant amount of time get up to speed from a stop. However, it did fare well on the highway once I reached cruising speed. Forget about driving fast in the LaCrosse, with its slow response time this car is for the driver who wants to be seen. The LaCrosse’s ride is softer and quieter than I expected. With little engine or road noise creeping into the cabin, it was a pleasure to drive in silence — especially without the kids. In Diapers, In School, Teens, Sedans 2009-11-19T16:02:14-06:00 http://www.motherproof.com/lifestyle-trends/story/mom-cant-wait-to-see-edwards-ride-in-new-moon/ http://www.motherproof.com/lifestyle-trends/story/mom-cant-wait-to-see-edwards-ride-in-new-moon/#When:20:11:24Z I’m slightly embarrassed to admit that I’ve been bitten by the “Twilight” craze. I only have those bloodsuckers at Volvo to blame, and I mean that in the most affectionate way possible. I’ve wanted to see “Twilight” for a while now — for work purposes only, of course — because the Volvo C30  (full disclosure: I own one) was featured as Edward’s car in the first installment. I was instructed by one of my literary-crazed MotherProof.com reviewers to read the book before watching the movie. And so my obsession began. I breezed through “Twilight” last week and finished “New Moon” last night in an attempt to catch up in time for the impending craze surrounding the latest movie, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” which opens Friday. Edward’s car of choice in “New Moon” is the 2010 Volvo XC60, which I’ve driven and loved. His car plays such an integral part in the series that I can’t wait to see how well these “stupid, shiny Volvo[s]” are integrated into the movies. Incidentally, both the 2010 C30 and XC60 were awarded the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s 2010 Top Safety Pick. This is quite an honor because only 27 cars made the cut after a new roof-strength test was added to the criteria. This makes either Volvo a great choice for racing away from — or toward — vampires. Don’t worry, I’ve already secured a baby sitter so I can see “Twilight” on the big screen during the one-day-only re-release in theaters tomorrow, which is just before the midnight showing of “New Moon.” I’ll be in line with the rest of the Team Edward tweens. Fitting right in, I’m sure. Trends 2009-11-18T20:11:24-06:00 http://www.motherproof.com/advice-safety/story/only-27-models-named-2010-top-safety-picks/ http://www.motherproof.com/advice-safety/story/only-27-models-named-2010-top-safety-picks/#When:15:35:12Z The 2010 Top Safety Pick winners from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have just been released — full list below — and the list has shrunk from 91 winners in 2009 to just 27 2010 models. That’s because the IIHS has added a new crash test — a roof-strength test — into the requirement, which is two-times more stringent than the one the federal government mandates. Rollover crashes account for 9,000 deaths annually, though not all from being crushed. The photo above is not a before and after image. On the left is a 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan after the IIHS’ new roof-strength test. On the right is the 2008 Kia Sportage after the same test. The Tiguan earned the top roof crash score and the Sportage the worst. The award now encompasses front, side, rear and roof crash tests, and each winner must earn a top score of Good on each crash test to get the nod. The biggest surprise to us was the complete absence of Toyota or Lexus models from the list; the automaker had 10 winners in 2009. Chrysler also surprised us by getting four models on the 2010 list, which is more than any other domestic automaker, and ties it with Volvo. The 2010 list’s true winner has to be Subaru, which had every one of its five vehicles — not including high-performance versions — earn a Top Safety Pick. The IIHS began testing roof strength in March and so far has tested 52 new models. Why haven’t they tested more? Spokesman Russ Rader says the IIHS contacted every manufacturer to explain the guidelines and request that they send any vehicles with a chance of passing the evaluation.  It seems only 52 were up to the challenge. A few models barely missed the mark or are on the list with exceptions. The new Volvo XC60 SUV had a glitch with its seat belts in side impacts, which the manufacturer has corrected. The IIHS nod only goes to XC60s manufactured after November when the fix went into effect. Current XC60 owners can also take their vehicle into a dealer to have the glitch repaired. Ford’s Fusion sedan and the Honda Accord both missed the roof-strength mark by a small margin, which the IIHS says can easily be corrected for future models. The Toyota Camry actually passed the roof-strength test but barely missed the top score in rear crash tests, which the IIHS also says can be easily remedied by the automaker and resubmitted for testing. 2010 Winners Large cars • Buick LaCrosse • Ford Taurus • Lincoln MKS • Volvo S80 Midsize cars • Audi A3 • Chevrolet Malibu (built after October 2009) • Chrysler Sebring (four-door with optional electronic stability control) • Dodge Avenger (with optional electronic stability control) • Mercedes C-Class • Subaru Legacy • Subaru Outback • Volkswagen Jetta sedan • Volkswagen Passat sedan • Volvo C30 Small cars • Honda Civic (four-door with optional electronic stability control, except Si) • Kia Soul • Nissan Cube • Subaru Impreza (except WRX) • Volkswagen Golf (four-door) Midsize SUVs • Dodge Journey • Subaru Tribeca • Volvo XC60 • Volvo XC90 Small SUVs • Honda Element • Jeep Patriot (with optional side thorax airbags) • Subaru Forester • Volkswagen Tiguan Keep Me Safe 2009-11-18T15:35:12-06:00 http://www.motherproof.com/news-rants/story/blogger-finds-joy-in-car-wash/ http://www.motherproof.com/news-rants/story/blogger-finds-joy-in-car-wash/#When:15:43:07Z On one of my favorite blog, MomLogic.com, Michele Ashamalla, aka the Recession Mama, has written a post about the benefits of going to the car wash with her kids. I’ve also written about how much I like going to the car wash — both with and without my kids. After water conservation laws prevented Michele from washing her cars at home, she headed to her local car wash to complete the chore. Michele subsequently discovered some great car-wash coupons online (she is the Recession Mama and focuses on saving money).  But what really intrigued me was her discovery that her kids “screamed with laughter” upon entering the car wash — just like mine do. This makes hitting the car wash not only recession-friendly but also a source a good, clean fun for the kids. I’m just glad I’m not the only mom who takes her kids through the car wash for the fun of it! 2009-11-17T15:43:07-06:00 http://www.motherproof.com/news-rants/story/hot-or-not-testicles-for-your-car/ http://www.motherproof.com/news-rants/story/hot-or-not-testicles-for-your-car/#When:19:13:38Z I’m all for expressing yourself through your car whether it’s with custom-paint colors, tattoo-inspired graphics or anything else that suits your personality. But I’m grossed out by car testicles. This car and truck accessory is a definite Not. I recently pulled through the drive-through behind a raised-bed pickup truck that was sporting bullhorns on the front and a huge “sack” below the rear bumper.  Needless to say, my daughters asked, “What’s hanging on the back of that truck?” How should a mom answer that? After a quick online search, I was astounded by the variety of “truck nutz.” Every color of the rainbow is available, including fluorescent pink, orange, flesh-colored and chrome. The most obnoxious title goes to the light-up variety that’s connected to the car’s brake lights. Are car testicles a Hot or Not?  Tell us in the comment section below. Photo Courtesy Bumpernuts.com 2009-11-16T19:13:38-06:00 http://www.motherproof.com/news-rants/story/recall-alert-2007-08-jeep-wrangler/ http://www.motherproof.com/news-rants/story/recall-alert-2007-08-jeep-wrangler/#When:16:49:39Z Chrysler has issued a recall for 161,450 Jeep Wranglers from the 2007-08 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The vehicles affected by the recall were manufactured from June 2006-July 2008 and are equipped with an automatic transmission. These vehicles weren’t equipped with a transmission fluid temperature warning system. Without this system, transmission fluid could boil over and come into contact with a hot engine or exhaust component, which could cause a fire. Dealers will inspect and install a “hot oil” message in the instrument cluster and a chime indicating an elevated transmission fluid condition. This recall is expected to begin in December. For more information, owners can call Chrysler at 800-853-1403 or NHTSA’s hotline at 888-327-4236. Recall Alert: 2008-09 Mitsubishi Lancer and Lancer Evolution Mitsubishi is recalling 29,353 Lancers and Lancer Evolutions from the 2008-09 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Administration. In areas where road salt is used in the winter, long-term exposure to a mixture of melted snow and salt may cause it to adhere to the car’s front-impact sensors. This recall affects vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. This water-salt coating may cause corrosion on the sensor. In a crash that would deploy the airbags, this type of short circuit may cause a delay in the airbag deployment, which would result in injuries to the driver or passenger.  Dealers will install new front-airbag sensors that have improved corrosion resistance for free. This recall is expected to begin by Nov. 27. For more information, owners can call Mitsubishi at 714-372-6000 or NHTSA’s hotline at 888-327-4236. Recall Alert:  2007 Dodge Nitro Chrysler is recalling 84,680 Dodge Nitros from the 2007 model year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. High usage of the windshield wiper system’s delay mode may affect the primary wiper function and render the wiper system inoperable. In inclement weather, this problem would impair visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will inspect and add external relays as well as update the totally integrated power module software to control the wiper functions. For more information, owners can call Chrysler at 800-853-1403 or NHTSA’s hotline at 888-327-4236. 2009-11-16T16:49:39-06:00 http://www.motherproof.com/news-rants/story/momosphere-11.13.091/ http://www.motherproof.com/news-rants/story/momosphere-11.13.091/#When:22:42:56Z Here’s some of our favorite posts this week: Lessons From the Bag of the Ineffective Parent; Mom-101.com Blogger Liz needed to give her daughter eyedrops, but the little one politely declined. OK, it wasn’t polite; there was plenty of wailing and thrashing. Liz then broke open her bag of ineffective parenting tricks.  She writes, “I asked nicely. I asked not so nicely. … I raised my voice. I stroked her hair. I offered her candy. I offered her cookies. I threatened her with no TV. I stopped just short of threatening to send her off to the circus to be raised by clowns. Really, it was like the worst episode of ‘SuperNanny’ you’ve ever seen.” Chocolate Poisoning; MommyTracked.com Are you helping yourself to your kids’ Halloween candy? My husband and I limit how much Halloween candy our boys can have each day, but we don’t bother with any limits for us. I’ll even admit to recently having a dinner comprised of only Halloween candy. It’s shameful, and blogger Stefanie Wilder-Taylor knows my shame. She writes, “Just while I was writing those last three sentences I consumed a mini Baby Ruth, a mini Nestle Crunch, a red strawberry flavored hard candy, a vanilla tootsie roll and two small boxes of Dots. It’s all I can do to not go get more.” Turning a Corner: The Little Helper; Surrender, Dorothy Every once in a while a normal child briefly becomes the perfect child. When you ask them to do something, they actually do it without whining. It’s a stunning, fleeting moment that should be cherished. Blogger Rita Arens’ daughter recently transformed into such a child. Rita writes, “Every time she finished a task, she looked at me expectantly. ‘What else can I do, Mommy?’ In between tasks, she sat on her little stool, hands folded demurely in her lap. I wasn’t sure I knew this kid, but I liked her. A lot.” 2009-11-13T22:42:56-06:00 http://www.motherproof.com/lifestyle-trends/story/mom-of-kart-racing-team-tells-all/ http://www.motherproof.com/lifestyle-trends/story/mom-of-kart-racing-team-tells-all/#When:17:13:54Z My friend Faith Cody is a mom with three kids, and she runs a Pampered Chef business. She does all the usual mom stuff (household management, homework duty, etc.), but her life includes another job, racing mama. That’s not just in the carpool sense of the word; she’s mom to three karting racers on the Fear the Turtle Racing Team. Faith’s husband, Eric, got their kids – Coleton, 12; Mitchell, 10; and Alison, 8 – started in kart racing. In the beginning it was just a way to get out of the house and have some fun, but an obsession was quickly born. One of the great things about karting for the Cody family is it’s something all of their kids participate in, Faith said. I can’t think of one thing my kids like enough to do together besides bicker, so I was impressed and curious. When the kids first got started, it was all about learning the rules of racing, Faith said. She was nervous about the karts’ speeds: Smaller kids’ karts go up to 35 mph while bigger kids’ hit 70 mph. However, Faith’s concerns were assuaged by the fact that so much of karting at young ages is about following the rules. Coleton, Mitchell and Ali learned how to take a line, when and how to pass, and when it’s legal to push or bump the car in front of you. In addition to driving rules, the kids learn about track safety. For example, there’s no getting out of the kart until an adult race official tells you it’s safe to do so. Kids can be disqualified in a heartbeat if they break the rules, which is a swift, efficient tool for driving home the rules. Another benefit of karting is her kids root each other on and help each other learn. Her kids pass along advice to each other and bond over their shared sport. Most of the time in kart racing, families helps other families, and there’s lots of encouragement and support, Faith said. “It’s neat to see the kids root for each other and learn from each other,” she said. Faith usually doesn’t drive a kart, but she did suit up for the first time recently and drove in a race for moms. The race taught her the importance of practice and track familiarity as well as how little improvements here and there add up to a better race time. It also helped her understand what her kids are going through both physically and mentally on the track. Faith was happy with her race results, she qualified in ninth place and finished in sixth—even though other moms had done track research and got coaching (which was against the rules). It’s a hard lesson at any age that sometimes playing by the rules doesn’t pay off. The Codys spent most summer weekends on the road heading to races throughout the region. They had a ball and really enjoyed their family time, Faith said. And, of course, the victories were sweet. As the kids grow older the sport becomes more competitive. But Faith is enjoying this time in their lives where the reward is going out and having a good time together. As words like “agent” and “sponsorship” seep into our conversation, Faith confides that it’s a bit overwhelming, but they’re learning as they go. Faith’s hope is that her kids will want to continue racing for years to come and that they’ll continue to do it together. In School, Teens 2009-11-13T17:13:54-06:00 http://www.motherproof.com/accessories/story/wrap-a-latte-sleeve-a-stylish-way-to-keep-hands-cool/ http://www.motherproof.com/accessories/story/wrap-a-latte-sleeve-a-stylish-way-to-keep-hands-cool/#When:19:33:54Z I was sitting with Chief Mama Kristin in a Starbucks recently when I first saw the cute pink-and-green sleeve wrapped around a woman’s cup of joe, replacing the usual brown cardboard sleeve. It had a pink monogram on it, too. After a little digging, I discovered it was a Wrap-A-Latte. Its makers, the kind folks at It’s a Wrap, sent me a sleeve to test out. What did I like most about it? It wasn’t that I could finally find something to assuage my guilt over throwing the cardboard sleeves away when I’m done with them (they’re made of recycled paper, but I don’t always recycle them). It wasn’t the cute pattern (37 choices) or the monogram. It was the fact that it worked! It fit on all standard-size paper coffee cups that I tried. My hand never got too hot while using the Wrap-A-Latte (yes, I’m a wimp). Even better, the inside of the sleeve has a neoprene-like grippy material on it, so it doesn’t slip around and fall off. Awesome! Wrap-A-Latte is available at several online boutiques and cost around $12. What a perfect teacher gift, hostess gift or stocking stuffer for the holidays. I’m probably going to pair them with some gift certificates and call it good! My only problem with the Wrap-A-Latte is I lost it, which is in typical fashion for me. Like the canvas grocery bags I use about 50 percent of the time, I need to be more diligent about keeping track of and using my green products. Hey, Wrap-A-Latte, do you make coffee-sleeve leashes? Sheesh. Gadgets 2009-11-12T19:33:54-06:00