A Mommy Van? Oh No!

I’m not driving a Mommy Van.


It’s 1999. I’m pregnant with my third daughter, comfortably driving to and fro with my 3 year old and 1 year old strapped in their 5-point harness car seats in the rear of my 1988 Volvo 240 GL. It’s a spacious enough family car, yet cozy enough for me to reach back to my girls without much effort. However, long distance traveling with Darling Husband, our luggage, and baby paraphernalia is more challenging. Packing the trunk requires a mathematical equation.

It occurs to us that another car seat and more baby stuff is going to put us on overload. It’s time to get a larger vehicle.


I’ve had my sophisticated Volvo since my single, career days. Now, I’m waddling around with an extra 20 pounds on me (and growing), and I still feel more like a Volvo than a minivan. That’s for those child-centered, soccer moms. I just can’t go there.

Sooo, instead, I say to Darling Husband, “I’d like one of those SUVs. I’ve been looking at them for awhile and the Ford Expedition is what I want. It’s big and powerful… nothing wimpy about it.” A few trips to the dealer to test drive it, and the day before my Y2K baby is born, it’s parked in my garage.

It’s 2008; summertime. I’m spending the day at a water park with a girlfriend, my daughters and her daughter; 6 of us. The Expedition is getting some TLC at the dealership, but because we planned in advance, our loaner is a van.

As I step out of my garage to see it on the driveway where Darling Husband parked it, I feel a little geeky. It’s not the latest model and a bit unattractive… but, who cares; it’s transportation.

I unlock the doors, put in our cooler and sacks, tell the kids to get in, step inside, and suddenly a transformation occurs. I realize how comfortable I am getting in. I don't have to hold on to a ceiling handle to pull myself into it like I do to get in the Expedition.

Hmm.

I feel lower, too, but not as low as being in a car.

Hmmm.

There’s a space between the two middle row seats (later I learn that these are Captain’s Chairs). The cooler fits there nicely. The kids can reach in when they want something.

Hmmmm.

We pick up T. and her daughter. Everyone has leg room.

Hmmmmm.

This is not bad! It’s actually kind of nice. But I like my Expedition. It’s serving us well AND, it’s paid for.

It’s May, 2011. I knew the day would come when we’d have to say goodbye to the Expedition, although I thought it would be much later, like when it was about 18 years old instead of 11. Anyway, Girl #3 and I are walking toward it at the horse farm where we take lessons, when gusty winds uproot a top-heavy tree that comes crashing down upon it. We are 40 feet away, as we watch in horror and amazement.

My first thought is, “My car just got totaled.” My daughter’s hysterical reaction is, “MOMMY, HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET HOME!?!”

It’s quite an ordeal for us and the five other people there. An electric line is down near the pig pen. The houses across the street have lost power. My cell phone is in the car (truck), and so are my reading glasses. I’m borrowing a phone, but need help dialing because I can’t see the numbers. Another parent is trying to get the electric company or the fire station… and so on.

This will be a memorable day.

The dust has settled. It has taken me almost 9 months to decide on my new vehicle, and yes, it’s a mommy van. But… times have changed. It has more of a Crossover look, with elements of a hearse thrown in. I like it.

Count your blessings.

Given a choice of vehicle, what would you choose?

The first image is from www.clipartoday.com It looks more like an SUV, but it was too funny to pass.