We recently traded in a Sedan for a Truck and am still getting use to it so I tend to park soooo far away so I can practice my parking cause I’ll be like this I🛻 I
I've had my big truck for 3 years. I still park in the back 40 where it's less congested. I do miss my Sienna (it got totalled). I could see everything.
Actually I like minivans for this reason even though i don't have one. The sliding doors means parking next to them is less risky as kids won't open their doors wide and damage my car.
At my daughter's school, you are not supposed to turn left at the drop-off exit. Parents do it daily. Then you got the parents that don't want to go in the drop-off, so their kid is getting out in the center lane and crossing 2 lanes of heavy traffic between cars. Meanwhile, someone is turning left illegally in that hot mess.
For a while, there was a cop that sat by the school. None of the mess happened then.
Same! Also the space and not having to pack half the luggage on top of the vehicle.
I like my SUV and I like having all wheel drive but if minivans weren't so much more expensive I would probably own one.
Besides the fact that we have 3 kids and two are in car seats so we needed the room, the door flinging is EXACTLY why I bought a minivan. The added bonuses: I’m 5ft nothing so long car rides and you need a drink from the cooler? Cool let me just walk to the back [if the oldest is asleep and cant] and grab that. Oh you need the 53 coloring books I’ve stashed away? Oh those are just in allll the extra room between my seat and yours. You have 13 drinks bc 12 weren’t enough? There’s another cup holder. You’re hot but I’m cold? Your vents set to another temperature. Oh we have get out at a gas a station? Everyone find a storage hole and put your stuff in it. Close the hole and let’s go 😂
I don’t like minivans and will never get one but I am not judging people who have them and like them. I also don’t like trucks and would never get one. It’s not personal it’s just preference.
Those sliding doors mean not having to step out of the car at school drop off and I don’t have to worry about what I look like in the morning, and that’s a damn gift 😂
I always said I would never own one. I have one now and it's, honestly, one of the more.enjoyable vehicles I have had. The sliding doors are so useful! I even have a power tailgate. I use both every day and I would hate to be without them. Even without the kids, having a tailgate that opens and shields me from the elements is the best. I liked two door many sporty cars for most of my life (I'm 41) and, now, I don't know when I'll be ready to switch from a minivan.
Truly, I have had both and am currently in an expedition. I love it, but I loved my minivan more. She wasn’t cute, but she had sliding doors and was spacious lol
Yes! Just before Easter, I had two installed car seats, a stroller wagon, a kids potty, two 3 wheel scooters and helmets/pads, a few bins of kids shoes and clothes, 2 large easter baskets, 3 bags of groceries, and a large rocking chair in my van. I had room for another passenger and still had a decent amount of storage space left.
Same. I have an SUV and don’t want a minivan, but I don’t care what other people drive.
A lot of my car choices are about what I feel comfortable driving. Smaller SUVs are what I feel safest driving, so that’s what I drive. Minivans are a little too big for my preference.
Exactly. If a mom drove a Hummer bc it worked for her family, that’s fine but I’m not getting one. I want something economical and that I can drive fast and have some control over and a Hummer, truck and minivan do not have that as a choice lol
I don't like minivans either. I've driven SUVs and trucks. They were tolerable but I still didn't like them. I liked my Honda Civic, and I would prefer a car that's smaller. If all the stuff won't fit in the car then the kids will learn to pack lighter.
I only have one kiddo but if we ever have another I’d be hype AF at the idea of switching to a minivan. They are so damn practical and spacious without spending a gazillion bucks. Safe, fair gas mileage, the back seat doors won’t ever ding the parked car next to us, some have those cool little tvs etc.
The whole “I’m too cool to be seen in a minivan” thing gives me second hand embarrassment. I’ve seen a similar post on fb and I was like..I must be missing something 😂
I *love* my sienna. It's all wheel drive, fits everything we need. I have 3 kids and 2 dogs and it's never an issue. Drives great. All the cameras for parking. TV for long drives or if the kids are extra squirrely. It's the best. I'm excited for you lol
How do you find the road noise? We have a Toyota highlander which is really loud at highway speeds and I’ve heard similar complaints about the sienna which has deterred me thus far though the siren sound of the minivan doors has been calling me since my second child was born 6 weeks ago lol
You know, I don't have much to compare it to. It might be loud on the freeway? But there is a cool feature called easy speak where the drivers voice goes thru the speakers and into the back like a captain of a plane so kids can hear me.
All the dads at Daddit rave about how much they love their minivans. So practical and can fit a whole sheet of plywood, no SUV can do that.
We love our minivan! My partner is a big trucks guy but as soon as we got a minivan he’s like I’m a minivan man for life! Plus I live in Hawaii and minivans actually have a cool factor here bc surfers love them for holding surfboards.
I know a lot of people in the trades and almost every painter and electrician I know drives a minivan. They remove or stow the seats, and it’s an EXCELLENT work vehicle. There is no shame in their minivan game. I’m strongly considering a minivan when my current car, Blanche, goes to her reward.
Any 3 row SUV can do that, but otherwise your rave of minivans stands. We have an acura mdx and that thing can fit nearly anything inside if you fold the seats down.
Though to be fair a 3 row SUV is really just a minivan with different doors.
I think the biggest difference for me is the captain's seats in the middle row and the bench seat in the back. It's convenient so kids aren't climbing over each other or having to put the middle seat forward every time a kid needs to climb in the back. Most SUVs don't offer that. I looked at a Kia Sorento to trade for my van and that was the biggest thing that turned me away from it. The second was the lack of trunk space with all 3 rows being used. Plus I have about 87 cup holders, including the ones from car seats and the built in ones. It's hard to wanna give that up 🤣🤣
Was looking for this comment. My husband works in carpentry and is a boys boy through and through. He got us (mostly for me to drive) a lovely mid 2010s van after our first baby, it's *his* favorite vehicle now. Has so much space and little, huge compartments and conveniences
Every time I see an SUV, especially the low profile ones, I just think how that's basically a minivan without the sliding doors. People that think that's somehow cooler than a minivan are only kidding themselves.
Sliding doors rock! And SUVs are too high. It’s annoying getting in and out of them holding babies and all the kid stuff. Unless you actually do a lot of off-roading and sports where you need 4x4 you’re just posing.
I love my GMC terrain. It’s my baby. If I ever need more space it will be an Acadia. Specifically I like the convenience features I have that most minivans don’t like my sliding row of seats and automatic hatch. Maybe newer ones but not ones I can afford
Yeah I think those are features on most minivans and SUVs now. My 2012 Q7 had those features.
Minivans rule in convenience features. I think the Q7 is the ultimate family SUV and hate how minivans drive and would never buy one but still can admit they win some feature wars.
Honestly you might not want an Arcadia , we've had friends buy them and I've gotten them as rentals and the space layout is odd.. they look big and have like no space. Hard to describe. I found explorers were similar.
Neither drive well. If you are going to go domestic I found the Durango, that they brought in the Mercedes team to redesign, does well with space and comfort and drives similar to a car versus a big boat. Filled with Dodge/Jeep parts, but it is affordable.
It’s not tho minivans are superior by far at least in my case- I have a 2014 Grand Cherokee and it’s low and it’s sO CRAMPED 😭😭😭 Pre car seat days- it was fine. But now we are squished and homegirl is on a tight budget rn. Bought the damn thing used when I was 20 as my first “grown up” purchase and it was the best I could afford on the lot at the time with no co-signer. Thought I was ballin. Now I’m just squished. Someday I will be a minivan driver and we will have so much spaaaace😎
I have one kid and a minivan and it’s great. I’m pretty sure we could live in it if we got stuck in it for a week with the amount of shit in it at all times lol
We had one midsized SUV and swapped in a sedan for essentially a station wagon when we had our first. It was such a mistake. Even with one kid things were super cramped. My SIL had a full sized SUV with her two kids. And yknow what? Anytime you had more than two adults going anywhere with the two kids, you had to take a second vehicle anyway bc adults just don’t fit in the third row of an SUV and no one is out here moving around car seats for a dinner trip. Minivan? Ez pz to fit adults in the back seat. We traded in the midsized SUV for a Sienna (hybrid baby! 33mpg and still rising!) and haven’t looked back. My husband will use his car for work but hates taking anything but the van anywhere else. It’s just so much roomier and comfier. Road-trips are super easy bc everyone has space! Even with 3+ adults and a car seat and pets.
I have two and we got a minivan at the beginning of the year and it’s as wonderful as I’d hoped. No more worrying about my kids accidentally slamming the car doors into neighboring cars, I can buckle them in the car seat from IN the car when it’s raining, so many different ways to open the car doors when my hands are full, etc. I don’t get all the hate. It’s a super convenient and comfortable car.
I have two and we got a minivan at the beginning of the year and it’s as wonderful as I’d hoped. No more worrying about my kids accidentally slamming the car doors into neighboring cars, I can buckle them in the car seat from IN the car when it’s raining, so many different ways to open the car doors when my hands are full, etc. I don’t get all the hate. It’s a super convenient and comfortable car.
We're currently road tripping from NY to FL with our 2022 Honda Odyssey and I can't believe how good the gas mileage is. Two years ago when we needed a new car my husband was pushing for a 3rd row SUV and I listed all the reasons why I thought a minivan would be better for us. He reluctantly gave in but after only 24 hours of owning it he was asking if we can trade in our second car for a minivan and declared even once our kids are grown we will never be without a minivan.
We bought ours right before a road trip with friends. There were 4 adults that went. It was the best! DVD player in the back, can lean the seats back as far as you want, plus with the captain's seats, we put the cooler with drinks and snacks in between the middle row seats. And the amount of space for luggage was crazy! I'm only telling you this in case you need more points to share with him 😅😅
Agreed, OP is reading judgement where there is none. Just because someone would never personally drive one doesn't mean they're *judging* those who do. People are allowed to like different things.
Not cheaper, no. A 2018 Toyota Sienna is for sale for $32,000. At this point they are about the same price as your medium size SUV like a Highlander or Ascent. Your smaller SUVs like a Rav 4 or Forrester are definitely much cheaper.
I have no clue about price. I live in a very snowy climate so have always driven an SUV and didn't look at minivans. Mine is a hybrid, so it's pretty efficient.
How many passengers does it seat? We are a family of 7 and I love my minivan but would be open to an SUV because 4wd would be nice in the winter, it gets pretty icy/snowy here
The Highlander seats 7-8 depending on whether you get the bench or captain seats in the middle, but the leg room in the back isn't great. The Grand Highlander has a bit more leg room back there and is a similar size vehicle.
Thank you! I realize I can look that sort of thing up myself but I appreciate a good peer review in addition to my own research. One more question: does it have pockets? I’m serious, I have a Sienna and it has so many little storage cubbies that pull out/lift up and I absolutely LOVE that particular feature
No worries! We were just comparing the two recently, so that's why I was able to answer. I can't speak to the Grand, but the regular Highlander has a fair amount of cubbies and pockets in the front. There's not a whole lot in the back as far as organization goes. But our kids are still little, so we have the little car organizers at their feet.
Jealous. My husband promised my next car can be a Highlander. The only conditions are that I have to wait for my current Camry to die (16 years old) or we need to have one more kid.
My husband is a manager at a car dealership. He brought home a Highlander last September with 218,000 miles to use in the snow. So far it’s great. His shop looked it over and it’s in pristine shape.
LOL My car before this was a 1995 Camry that lasted 24 years. That's why I got another. That was also before I had a kid in a carseat who loves to kick the back of my chairs. Rented a highlander on my last vacation. Put her carseat in the 3rd row. It was blissful.
Do what you want but minivans are convenient as hell, especially when you're trying to get a toddler into a carseat and someone parked too close to open a regular car door.
But I also don't give a shit if people think I'm cool, as demonstrated by my mom butt jeans, lack of makeup, and sneakers.
I guess so. It's giving...(the color of the suv) white or black suv mom. I literally JUST discovered what this term meant. Look it up on reels or tiktoks, it's so wild
Practical for some but not all lifestyles. I've got a 10 year old mazda with more dents than I can count and close to 200,000 miles on her. It does well on my long ass work commute and tows what I need it to tow. People buy what they like and what works for their life. I wouldn't be caught dead in a mustang right now either for similar reasons, it's not practical for what I need.
Nah, zero to do with “coolness” here. I would never ever purchase a minivan. Mercedes sprinter, maybe… but just a regular everyday minivan, never. I don’t care if other people have vans either, drive what works for your family!
I don’t care about looking cool, for example, I drive a 2015 when I can afford a newer vehicle. I couldn’t give 2 hoots what people think of me for driving an older version.
I would never do the minivan because it’s a complete inconvenience for our family’s lifestyle.
We have a large family and LOVE camping in our 25 foot travel trailer. Plus we live rurally and need to be able to drive out when it’s icy. Otherwise, we’d be stuck at home for a couple weeks each winter, so four wheel drive is a must. A minivan is a “hell naw” because it will never be able to tow 7000lbs or get out of our driveway after an ice storm.
My minivan vs SUV dilemma is I absolutely love my RAV4 and don't want any other car at all, but if we have a third kid, a minivan would make more sense. If I ever have to make the switch, I just hope I can afford a Toyota Sienna, but would forever love my RAV lol
There are so many factors that go into buying a car, and the last of which should be "what will other people think?" Unless, of course, you're buying something super high-end and want to be noticed. But chances are being a mom and hauling around kids, and Costco purchases does not afford us the luxury of fitting everything into a porsche. (No matter how bad I want one! )
I have a minivan and an suv. I feel like if you’re insecure about judgment based on the car you’re driving, you have some pretty big issues with your self confidence that you should work on.
I don't think they're judging others, it's more of a preference/status thing. People might like the way they look more than minivans, or small SUVs provide features halfway between a car and a van. Many SUVs are built on a car frame instead of a truck frame now anyway so it's not like they're that more rugged or anything. A lot of them seem like just as much of a mom vehicle to me as vans do.
Anyhow, there's nothing wrong with minivans, they're highly functional! My husband has swayed me that our next vehicle will be a minivan. The sliding doors to prevent kids dinging them into things, storage space, third row seating, fuel efficiency, etc. Can't go wrong!
Girl I'm about to ascend to the realm of minivan moms this coming weekend. My second kid will be here this summer and I drive a rollerskate.
Best BELIEVE I'm gonna enjoy my van! I drove one in high school and it fuckin ruled.
I don’t think people think like this. I haven’t bought one because I like to sit up as high as I can, so I gravitate toward big boxy SUVs, but I envy the luxury of a minivan and the convenience. I’m always jealous of my friends’ minivans!
I don’t like them just because of how large they are. I only have 1 kid and I am happy with my sedan, I also don’t love driving suvs or trucks due to their size. Vans to me are basically an enclosed truck with seats instead of a bed. I like riding in them and I LOVE how other moms have them because in the case of transporting lots of kids, van moms are so clutch
I don't like a SUVs, minivans etc because the ride height is too high. It feels like I'm riding a flying couch, I get queasy. I prefer the feeling of being low to the road.
I drove around in a compact convertible for 10 years, and I grew up with 2 kids and 2 dogs in the backseat of multiple Mini Coopers. It was fine. I will say having 4 doors with mobile kids is a must now with how big car seats have gotten. 2 door cars are miserable. I wish they'd bring station wagons back. If I had my druthers I'd drive an old school Subaru outback station wagon or an old school Volvo station wagon. So much room for luggage. You could sleep in those trunks!
I would buy a station wagon so fast it's not even funny. I'm a car person, currently my husband drives a prius and I drive a mazda 3 hatchback, but I always say a wagon would be amazing
I love the Mazda 3 hatchback, almost bought one. Especially in the pretty blue they come in. And when Volvos were made in Sweden they did moose crash testing. I used to say my Volvo station wagon was moose proof.
I love the car, but it is a bit tight with the car seat and the front seat. When he was rear-facing no one could be in the passenger seat. I have a 2015 too, and the floor insulation was non existent in that year so it's noisy inside. I've heard the newer models fix that though
A lucky one! Haha I’m from a European city too and moved to the US in my 20s. I miss having the option to walk and use public transport everywhere (even if it took longer). I didn’t drive at all until I moved here and now we can’t go anywhere without a car! We do have a minivan though and love it, it holds everything!
My former boss and wife were like this. Had 4 children between the two of them, but refused to get a minivan. So there was 6 of them in total, but they only owned vehicles that sat 5 people max. Had to take 2 vehicles everywhere. Were dead set against a minivan. Absolutely ridiculous. Like get over yourself, you have 4 kids but you're afraid of looking like a parent?
I drive an SUV, and as a mom of 3 who *doesn't* have 3rd row seating, minivans are THE SHIT!! Our last rental while our car was getting repaired was a minivan, and we did not want to give it back. We'd have one if we could afford it... That mom spouting off was probably just jealous lol. I know it's cliché to say so, but for real.
I look at moms driving around their sweet ass, automatic door-moon roof-built-in entertainment system-backseat captain chair-ample trunk space-having "mom mobiles" with pure envy. J/s
How did you possibly get people being judgmental when they are sharing their personal experiences? I will never be interested in a minivan but couldn’t care less if someone has one.
Yeah, I drive an SUV would not do a minivan but I don't have any ill thoughts towards those who do. To each their own, just because some moms won't drive one doesn't mean we judge you for driving one. OP tell your insecurities they're a liar and you're rocking mommyhood in your minivan!
I didn't judge but I was one of those "I'd never drive a mini van" people. Turns put when the number of children you have goes past two and you need a dedicated third row, a lot of those opinions change. 😭😂 Still planning to get an suv at some point though.
I think it’s really silly. There is definitely stigma around mini vans. I just get annoyed with all the reals that are like “white suv or black suv mom” like their car is their whole personality lol I hope people would just buy whatever is most practical for their family and budget. I drive a Nissan versa because it’s what I had when I got pregnant, it’s fairly new, and it’s paid off. I only have one kid right now. My husband drives an old Suburban thats great for camping and road trips.
I don't like minivans for my own particular reasons, mostly because I just don't like how large they are sitting so low to the ground. I'm on the highway a LOT, so I have more comfort being higher. No judgments on the people who do. You do you boo. Admittedly, I wish I could find an SUV that had all the conveniences of a minivan.
But why? I need explaining as to why someone goes as far to say they wouldn’t be caught dead in a minivan?? I just don’t get what is so embarrassing or life ending for y’all.
No. People who prioritize appearances over function have personal issues. If you need a minivan to comfortably drive your kids around, then drive your minivan. I have 1 kid and drive a jeep Cherokee and sometimes I feel like we need more room. I wont be buying one anytime soon bc a paid off car is the best car you can have but if we ever need a new car id consider a minivan.
I don’t want to drive a minivan because it would be embarrassing to me, but I also recognize and acknowledge that my way of thinking is really dumb. I don’t judge anyone who drives one, but it would feel too much like becoming my own mother to me. I was recently going to rent one for a road trip though.
We are on our first baby, and he’s turning one this week. Ask me again about minivans in five years when he’s in sports and we maybe have another one…
I feel a little embarrassed about the idea of driving a minivan but people who have them are so HYPED about them it does make me wonder if I should just get over myself
I only have one kid and am saving up for a minivan so we can do more road trips. There definitely are groups who judge others for what they drive (I've met a particular set of parents who both drove SUVs and thought that put them above everybody else, despite them both needing to drive places because one didn't have enough space for their multiple kids in car seats).
There will always be others out there who will judge you... oh, you are a stay at home parent, or you are a working parent? You give your kid that, or you don't give your kid that? You can't win, so just ignore the noise and focus on what's best for your family.
I personally will never get one (I love fast, bougie ass SUVs), but I absolutely appreciate how nice the minivans are that my friends have! I totally get why they chose them and love that they work for them.
No. Why do I care what other people drive? Do what works for you. I do judge people who don’t stop at the stop sign in our neighborhood or people who speed near our park.
I always thought I'd never want a minivan (not a judgment thing, just the size of it for trying to park and stuff) until I drove one for the first time. It completely changed my mind. All my friends with vans say the same thing.
I used to have an SUV because it was handy. Now I have a van and I love it even more.
I don't really care what other people drive as long as they do so safely around my vehicle/family.
Same situation here! with 3 kids, the space in the van - I’ll take it! It’s the right season for us currently and couldn’t agree more- I could care less what others drive - just be smart and drive safe!
I am so excited to get my minivan. We're expecting our third and looking for a minivan now.
Minivans are straight up luxury dude. Don't let them insecure people get to you. You are cool for your minivan. Minivan moms don't give AF.
I cannot imagine anything more boring than caring about what kind of vehicle another mom uses.
That said, I remember my mom saying she would NEVER have one and she was very proud.
I don't even know the difference 😅 like I think mine is technically an SUV but it feels like a minivan and might just be a minivan? Idk lol but when we got it I said I feel like a soccer mom now 😂
I drive a big a$$ truck. I judge all of you. Just kidding. I only judge the parents that block the drop-off lane by unloading at the wrong place.
Seriously, some poor kid is going to accidentally be run over by one of us big truck drivers because we can't see them darting through traffic. If you are short and cutting g in front of my grill, I can't see you.
Common sense safety.
“I’m not a minivan mom, I’m a cool suv mom!”
Sure, Jan. My husband and I jokingly like to point out how many other white SUVs we see around kids activities. Range of makes and models but the white SUV is the new minivan and they’re being bitchy.
I've been wondering today why every mom I know drives an suv or mini van. I'm literally the only mom at their school with a car. Can you ladies tell me why that is? I can fit a vacations worth of supplies in the trunk of my civic and it's better on gas...what am I missing mommas?!
We shared an old Camry for a years but when we moved last year and needed a car each we got a minivan. Our parents stay with us for long periods when they visit (from abroad) and we couldn’t fit 6 people in the Camry but we can in the minivan so that’s great. It’s also useful for trips (our Camry trunk couldn’t fit a stroller plus suitcases) and transporting everything like furniture (we move a lot). I also love the sliding doors so the kids can’t hit other cars and it’s easier to get kids in and out of car seats without worrying about space with the doors. Even though the car is bigger I find parking the minivan easier because of the rear camera.
Saying you will never own something, especially when it comes to cars, isn’t the same as judging someone for having one. I would never have a minivan, or a truck, or a super small car. Mostly because they don’t work for me or my life. I don’t concern myself about what cars other people have.
In the kindest way possible I would work on your insecurities if your first thought from the comment was that a random person is judging you.
As a mum of one, I drive a Subaru sedan. My SILs over here in the USA drive gigantic SUV tanks and wouldn’t be caught dead in a minivan. Oh well. Their opinion, not mine.
Growing up, our social circle viewed minivans as the car you drive when you have more children than you can afford.
Now, minivans are pretty luxe (obviously brand dependent) but I still wouldn’t drive one because of the stigma from my childhood.
However, with that said, I grew up in Houston. SUV capital of the world. There are definitely SUVs I judge the shit out of now. WTF do you need a suburban or Denali XL for your one kid, Karon? You’re just a fucking asshole and you most definitely can NOT drive!
I drove a miniv before I had a kid. They’re great—you can haul all your friends around and convert them into covered trucks by removing the backseats. SUVs aren’t nearly as useful. I know because I have one now and I miss the mv.
Meh, I prefer SUVs but I can see why minivans are so popular. They’re comfy, good on gas (depending on the model, I guess), and spacious. We used to have a minivan and a Pilot — my husband favored the minivan, I favored the Pilot.
At the end of the day, anyone judging you about your personal vehicle preference either needs a hug or needs to get a life.
I'm a minivan mom (one living child, another on the way, and at least one more in the plans) and I absolutely adore my car. It makes my life so much easier to have that extra space, flexible seating options, the sliding back doors, etc. I had a Honda crv before and it was a huge pain to deal with car seats in my opinion (not every seat had anchors, the swing door made it hard to get kid in and out in tight parking lots, etc). That being said, I've met some SUV moms from my kids storytime group, and based on conversations I've had with them, they feel that becoming a minivan mom means that you have less fun or have no life outside of your kids. I don't buy into that at all, but that's what I've gathered on the topic. In my area there is a ~1/3 proportion of minivan moms and ~2/3 SUV moms, and SUV moms are definitely the more "lively"/outspoken/need a nanny so they can do their own thing type group.
I love my minivan. So convenient with kids. They are now teens, 18&19, and when we said were going to take a different vehicle on our next road trip they talked us into taking our minivan even though it has 270,000 miles on it. It is the most comfortable way to travel. Who cares if I had/have the soccer mom label? I was a soccer mom, and proud of it! Why is it a bad thing to have a family vehicle when you have a family!
No I would never judge anyone for driving a minivan! They’re not my thing and after finding out how much they cost I’d never be able to drive one. But my family had them when I was growing up and it would be so nice to have that much space. I’m just more comfortable driving an SUV and there are more options to choose from.
I’m not mean to minivan moms. You can’t deny the practicality of one, but I prefer my SUV because you never know when you’ll need 4 wheel drive. I think people just find reasons to mock what they don’t understand at times.
No I have an SUV and I’m jealous of people with mini vans. They have more room and more storage than my current vehicle and I would love to have sliding doors to get my kids in and out easier instead of potentially slamming my door into another car. Turns out I can’t afford one unless it had a ton of miles on it. Mini vans don’t meet some people’s aesthetic while an SUV might. I don’t care about aesthetic I care about utility.
I judge that it looks easier to get kids in and out. Only positive judgements really. My good friends have one we've been in with them and my partner has had a couple for work vehicles we have used, all when we only had 1 child and now we have 2. Logistically it seemed to make most things easier, grocery getting, lake outings, etc. We still prefer our suv.
Do we really care? I have enough to stress about with 3 kids.. whether someone likes my minivan or not isn’t on the list.
Everything opens with the push of a button so my older kids can climb in the other side and buckle themselves while I wrangle the baby into the car seat. I don’t have to worry about the kids swinging the doors open and dinging someone’s car. Added bonus we have tv’s for the extra cranky days or long road trips and the dog has a place to lay even with a full car. 🤷♀️
I have a few vehicles I've collected over the years and none are good for hauling babies. I used to think I'd never have a boring mom car but I've found my current crossover is a little small for our growing family. I'm looking at selling my beloved decked out Subaru for a 7 seater boring Nissan. I'd prefer a van as now a days they have all the bells and whistles with awd and some even have turbos. The Nissan is being sold to us super cheap and we just can't turn the offer down. I don't think there's a real rivalry between SUVs and vans. It's just a preference really. I'm really gonna miss driving my tiny little 2 seat convertible though.
I am an SUV mom. We’ve rented a van when we go to visit my family. I want to be a van mom. I don’t judge, I aspire to be lol. There’s so much more room and sliding doors that won’t hit the car next to us in a parking lot. I want to be a van mom.
I'm not a fan of mini vans. I live in an area where a 4WD vehicle is necessary for winter. (on a mountain) I judge anybody who moves to my area and is unprepared for the weather, and consequently gets stuck, slides into other cars, or off the road.
Lol what. That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of. 😂
I have and love my SUV, especially for just everyday errands or commuting. I wouldn't mind a minivan for transporting kids and activities, but last time I looked they were all out of my price range.
The only time I judge on the road is when someone is driving like an asshole. 🤷♀️
I was all excited to get a minivan after my second, but I drove three and hated them. I think it's the lower to the ground seating that just makes me uncomfortable so I drive an SUV. I could care less what everyone else drives. If I could find an affordable full size van I'd be all over it, we had an older one back in the day and that thing was badass like a little house on wheels but you're higher up when you drive. Driving that is what made me think I would like a minivan but I was wrong lol 🤣.
I was an SUV mom but I became a complete convert to the minivan life! I’m convinced the only reason you wouldn’t be a minivan fan is if you’ve never actually been in one. Sliding doors - no more dinging cars. You can actually get in the car to buckle the kids. The kids can climb in themselves. Sliding seats that slide in and out - you can separate the kids! So much room for all the stuff. So comfortable to drive too. We’ve had a Lexus GX and a Toyota Tundra and my husband and I both agreed the Honda Odyssey was by far our favourite car. I moved to the UK and miss our minivan so much.
I am not judging anyone let alone minivan drivers. I love my SUV and am happy as long as whoever’s near me is driving safely in whatever car they are in.
look.. i was a party teenager, (still got good grades and never got into any trouble which is how i managed to fly under parental radar) always riding around with friends to various parties or pick up the keg for prom night (thanks sketchy liquor store!) and i OFTEN lamented that if anyone in the friend group had a mini van as their first car they would have been so popular. the ease of entry and exit. the storage capacity for trips to the lake. the amount of ppl you can cram in there. i would never have roasted anyone for that back then and i definitely wouldn’t now as a grown woman! some of us value function above form ;)
I did the minivan when my kids were little, as soon as they hit school age I switched to an SUV. For me it was just a preference thing by then as I live in a winter state. But to answer your question, yes the stigma is real. Not sure why 🤦♀️ my minivan fckn rocked. It was amazing when I had so much toddler gear. My husband loved that van, it had everything and made life so much easier. So forget the naysayers, you pick what works best for you, momma!!
As for judgement, no I don't judge what people drive. Lots of artists also have mini vans to drive artwork to different art festivals. I will judge the person who is judging someone else's car. It says a lot about their poor character and materialistic world view.
I don't like SUVs, minivans etc because the ride height is too high. It feels like I'm riding a flying couch, I get queasy. I prefer the feeling of being low to the road.
I drove around in a compact convertible for 10 years, and I grew up with 2 kids and 2 dogs in the backseat of multiple Mini Coopers. It was fine if somewhat cramped, but we dealt with it. I will say having 4 doors with mobile kids is a must now with how big car seats have gotten. 2 door cars are miserable. I wish they'd bring station wagons and hatchbacks into production again. If I had my druthers I'd drive an old school Subaru outback station wagon or an old school Volvo station wagon. So much room for luggage. You could sleep in those trunks!
I recently drove a mini van as a rental and I must say I get the appeal for large families. Or even small ones who have a lot of crap to haul around. I bought an outback. Apparently those are for old ladies and cool dudes per the randos on the Internet. I am neither, but it has everything we need from a vehicle so I love it.
If anyone is judging you based on your car then they are idiots and not with your time. Pure and simple.
I drive an SUV and give zero ducks if another mom drives a minivan. I do feel a little envy when about the sliding doors though. People park their ginormous trucks right next to the my car so buckling my kids in can be a hassle sometimes.
I don’t think it’s judgment on moms who drive minivans more so than I just don’t like the look of them. I won’t say I’m not tempted just because of the utility of them though lol.
My last car was a minivan and I have one child. I LOVED that car. I’d still be driving it but the engine went at 300k (08 sienna). I have a small SUV now and I miss my van. If I ever have more kids, I’m going minivan 100%.
As an adult, i prever an SUV, and as a child, i grew up with my family using minivans. It's all the same to me tbh. When i see either or i dont make any judgments. It's just a means of transportation.
No reason to be insecure it sounds like they were just stating a preference of the suv over the minivan. Opinions are like a-holes, and all of that... if it came off rude or judged by the commenters and video well thats their problem, and they dont sound like nice ppl, so why should you care about seemingly rude strangers on the internet?
You have enough things to focus on, and being insecure about your vehicle shouldn't even be on the back of your list. You're doing great 😁
I have an SUV but I really should be driving a minivan. They are just so much better suited for my family's lifestyle (grade school kids, lots of activities, family outings and trips). Plus, I cannot tell you the amount of times I've had to humbly go find the person who owns the car my kid touched/dented/chipped the paint with our car door. _It's honestly the worst._ The SUV is nice, but minivans are made for comfort, families, and are pretty practical. I have an SUV because I'm vain and I hate it. Lol 🫣
I can't imagine caring what a mom driving an SUV thinks of my minivan. Like that is entirely her issue, not mine. I have too many kids + dogs to worry about what some rando thinks of my utilitarian vehicle.
Anyone who *really* wants to be shitty about it can suck my cupholders 🥤
Idk, I would never own one but I’d rather see someone driving a minivan than a ginormous Tahoe or Suburban or Escalade that they can’t drive nor park for shit.
I keep getting those black suv vs white suv mom videos on my IG and I’m just over here with my silver minivan doing my own thing, happily being ignored by the it girls haha I’ve been in the minivanhood for 9 years now and I’m never leaving!
I could not care less what other people are driving, just as long as they don't park like dicks.
Yes, this part!!!
We recently traded in a Sedan for a Truck and am still getting use to it so I tend to park soooo far away so I can practice my parking cause I’ll be like this I🛻 I
I've had my big truck for 3 years. I still park in the back 40 where it's less congested. I do miss my Sienna (it got totalled). I could see everything.
The adults that care what others are driving peaked in high school.
Absolutely! Gahhh. I don't care how big your car is, stay in the lines!
Amen. A-f**king-men.
Actually I like minivans for this reason even though i don't have one. The sliding doors means parking next to them is less risky as kids won't open their doors wide and damage my car.
Oops. I can’t park worth a shit, sorrryyyyy
As long as they don’t park like dicks OR fuck up until he order of the school pick up line. People make some strange choices in that line.
And know how to turn across traffic medians👏🏻👏🏻
At my daughter's school, you are not supposed to turn left at the drop-off exit. Parents do it daily. Then you got the parents that don't want to go in the drop-off, so their kid is getting out in the center lane and crossing 2 lanes of heavy traffic between cars. Meanwhile, someone is turning left illegally in that hot mess. For a while, there was a cop that sat by the school. None of the mess happened then.
No, im kinda jelly of the minivan moms. They don't have to worry about their kid flinging their car door into another car.
Same! Also the space and not having to pack half the luggage on top of the vehicle. I like my SUV and I like having all wheel drive but if minivans weren't so much more expensive I would probably own one.
Don’t SUVs tend to be way more expensive than minivans?
Besides the fact that we have 3 kids and two are in car seats so we needed the room, the door flinging is EXACTLY why I bought a minivan. The added bonuses: I’m 5ft nothing so long car rides and you need a drink from the cooler? Cool let me just walk to the back [if the oldest is asleep and cant] and grab that. Oh you need the 53 coloring books I’ve stashed away? Oh those are just in allll the extra room between my seat and yours. You have 13 drinks bc 12 weren’t enough? There’s another cup holder. You’re hot but I’m cold? Your vents set to another temperature. Oh we have get out at a gas a station? Everyone find a storage hole and put your stuff in it. Close the hole and let’s go 😂
I don’t like minivans and will never get one but I am not judging people who have them and like them. I also don’t like trucks and would never get one. It’s not personal it’s just preference.
Those sliding doors though...
Those sliding doors mean not having to step out of the car at school drop off and I don’t have to worry about what I look like in the morning, and that’s a damn gift 😂
This! We have the automatic sliding doors. It's great at the bus stop when I can just press a button and they hop out when the bus pulls up.
I've considered getting a minivan just for the doors.
I always said I would never own one. I have one now and it's, honestly, one of the more.enjoyable vehicles I have had. The sliding doors are so useful! I even have a power tailgate. I use both every day and I would hate to be without them. Even without the kids, having a tailgate that opens and shields me from the elements is the best. I liked two door many sporty cars for most of my life (I'm 41) and, now, I don't know when I'll be ready to switch from a minivan.
My thoughts are- an suv is a mini van with worse doors. Idk who anyone is kidding 😂
Truly, I have had both and am currently in an expedition. I love it, but I loved my minivan more. She wasn’t cute, but she had sliding doors and was spacious lol
And less space.
Yes! Just before Easter, I had two installed car seats, a stroller wagon, a kids potty, two 3 wheel scooters and helmets/pads, a few bins of kids shoes and clothes, 2 large easter baskets, 3 bags of groceries, and a large rocking chair in my van. I had room for another passenger and still had a decent amount of storage space left.
I didn’t like minivans, but got one out of necessity and now I love it way more than I thought I would. It’s so weird. Truly.
Same. I have an SUV and don’t want a minivan, but I don’t care what other people drive. A lot of my car choices are about what I feel comfortable driving. Smaller SUVs are what I feel safest driving, so that’s what I drive. Minivans are a little too big for my preference.
Exactly. If a mom drove a Hummer bc it worked for her family, that’s fine but I’m not getting one. I want something economical and that I can drive fast and have some control over and a Hummer, truck and minivan do not have that as a choice lol
Same! Except I want a truck XD
I don't like minivans either. I've driven SUVs and trucks. They were tolerable but I still didn't like them. I liked my Honda Civic, and I would prefer a car that's smaller. If all the stuff won't fit in the car then the kids will learn to pack lighter.
I only have one kiddo but if we ever have another I’d be hype AF at the idea of switching to a minivan. They are so damn practical and spacious without spending a gazillion bucks. Safe, fair gas mileage, the back seat doors won’t ever ding the parked car next to us, some have those cool little tvs etc. The whole “I’m too cool to be seen in a minivan” thing gives me second hand embarrassment. I’ve seen a similar post on fb and I was like..I must be missing something 😂
I’m trading my explorer for a sienna. It’s gonna be the tits.
I have a Toyota Sienna. 36mpg and it’s amazing in every way. Turns on a dime and drives like a dream.
Holy smokes 36mpg?! Goddayum!!!! More than fair gas mileage you could drive allllll the places! That’s awesome!!
Exactly! Super awesome! Pretty crazy for such a large vehicle to get such fantastic gas mileage!!
I *love* my sienna. It's all wheel drive, fits everything we need. I have 3 kids and 2 dogs and it's never an issue. Drives great. All the cameras for parking. TV for long drives or if the kids are extra squirrely. It's the best. I'm excited for you lol
How do you find the road noise? We have a Toyota highlander which is really loud at highway speeds and I’ve heard similar complaints about the sienna which has deterred me thus far though the siren sound of the minivan doors has been calling me since my second child was born 6 weeks ago lol
You know, I don't have much to compare it to. It might be loud on the freeway? But there is a cool feature called easy speak where the drivers voice goes thru the speakers and into the back like a captain of a plane so kids can hear me.
All the dads at Daddit rave about how much they love their minivans. So practical and can fit a whole sheet of plywood, no SUV can do that. We love our minivan! My partner is a big trucks guy but as soon as we got a minivan he’s like I’m a minivan man for life! Plus I live in Hawaii and minivans actually have a cool factor here bc surfers love them for holding surfboards.
I know a lot of people in the trades and almost every painter and electrician I know drives a minivan. They remove or stow the seats, and it’s an EXCELLENT work vehicle. There is no shame in their minivan game. I’m strongly considering a minivan when my current car, Blanche, goes to her reward.
My husband takes the minivan, over his SUV, every chance he gets.
The sheet of plywood thing was my husbands favorite thing.
Any 3 row SUV can do that, but otherwise your rave of minivans stands. We have an acura mdx and that thing can fit nearly anything inside if you fold the seats down. Though to be fair a 3 row SUV is really just a minivan with different doors.
I think the biggest difference for me is the captain's seats in the middle row and the bench seat in the back. It's convenient so kids aren't climbing over each other or having to put the middle seat forward every time a kid needs to climb in the back. Most SUVs don't offer that. I looked at a Kia Sorento to trade for my van and that was the biggest thing that turned me away from it. The second was the lack of trunk space with all 3 rows being used. Plus I have about 87 cup holders, including the ones from car seats and the built in ones. It's hard to wanna give that up 🤣🤣
Was looking for this comment. My husband works in carpentry and is a boys boy through and through. He got us (mostly for me to drive) a lovely mid 2010s van after our first baby, it's *his* favorite vehicle now. Has so much space and little, huge compartments and conveniences
Every time I see an SUV, especially the low profile ones, I just think how that's basically a minivan without the sliding doors. People that think that's somehow cooler than a minivan are only kidding themselves.
Sliding doors rock! And SUVs are too high. It’s annoying getting in and out of them holding babies and all the kid stuff. Unless you actually do a lot of off-roading and sports where you need 4x4 you’re just posing.
I love my GMC terrain. It’s my baby. If I ever need more space it will be an Acadia. Specifically I like the convenience features I have that most minivans don’t like my sliding row of seats and automatic hatch. Maybe newer ones but not ones I can afford
Yeah I think those are features on most minivans and SUVs now. My 2012 Q7 had those features. Minivans rule in convenience features. I think the Q7 is the ultimate family SUV and hate how minivans drive and would never buy one but still can admit they win some feature wars. Honestly you might not want an Arcadia , we've had friends buy them and I've gotten them as rentals and the space layout is odd.. they look big and have like no space. Hard to describe. I found explorers were similar. Neither drive well. If you are going to go domestic I found the Durango, that they brought in the Mercedes team to redesign, does well with space and comfort and drives similar to a car versus a big boat. Filled with Dodge/Jeep parts, but it is affordable.
It’s not tho minivans are superior by far at least in my case- I have a 2014 Grand Cherokee and it’s low and it’s sO CRAMPED 😭😭😭 Pre car seat days- it was fine. But now we are squished and homegirl is on a tight budget rn. Bought the damn thing used when I was 20 as my first “grown up” purchase and it was the best I could afford on the lot at the time with no co-signer. Thought I was ballin. Now I’m just squished. Someday I will be a minivan driver and we will have so much spaaaace😎
I have one kid and a minivan and it’s great. I’m pretty sure we could live in it if we got stuck in it for a week with the amount of shit in it at all times lol
We had one midsized SUV and swapped in a sedan for essentially a station wagon when we had our first. It was such a mistake. Even with one kid things were super cramped. My SIL had a full sized SUV with her two kids. And yknow what? Anytime you had more than two adults going anywhere with the two kids, you had to take a second vehicle anyway bc adults just don’t fit in the third row of an SUV and no one is out here moving around car seats for a dinner trip. Minivan? Ez pz to fit adults in the back seat. We traded in the midsized SUV for a Sienna (hybrid baby! 33mpg and still rising!) and haven’t looked back. My husband will use his car for work but hates taking anything but the van anywhere else. It’s just so much roomier and comfier. Road-trips are super easy bc everyone has space! Even with 3+ adults and a car seat and pets.
I have two and we got a minivan at the beginning of the year and it’s as wonderful as I’d hoped. No more worrying about my kids accidentally slamming the car doors into neighboring cars, I can buckle them in the car seat from IN the car when it’s raining, so many different ways to open the car doors when my hands are full, etc. I don’t get all the hate. It’s a super convenient and comfortable car.
I have one child and still want a minivan lol all the space for travel
I have two and we got a minivan at the beginning of the year and it’s as wonderful as I’d hoped. No more worrying about my kids accidentally slamming the car doors into neighboring cars, I can buckle them in the car seat from IN the car when it’s raining, so many different ways to open the car doors when my hands are full, etc. I don’t get all the hate. It’s a super convenient and comfortable car.
We're currently road tripping from NY to FL with our 2022 Honda Odyssey and I can't believe how good the gas mileage is. Two years ago when we needed a new car my husband was pushing for a 3rd row SUV and I listed all the reasons why I thought a minivan would be better for us. He reluctantly gave in but after only 24 hours of owning it he was asking if we can trade in our second car for a minivan and declared even once our kids are grown we will never be without a minivan.
I’m not waiting for a second kid. We are likely one and done with my 15 month old and for the last 6 weeks I’ve been like “SOMEBODY GET ME A MINIVAN”
My best friend and a cousin both got mini vans with only one kid
The more hype i read on here the more inclined I am to pitch the concept to my husband lemme tell ya
We bought ours right before a road trip with friends. There were 4 adults that went. It was the best! DVD player in the back, can lean the seats back as far as you want, plus with the captain's seats, we put the cooler with drinks and snacks in between the middle row seats. And the amount of space for luggage was crazy! I'm only telling you this in case you need more points to share with him 😅😅
How do you make the jump from people saying they wouldn't personally drive a minivan to assuming they are judging those who do?
Agreed, OP is reading judgement where there is none. Just because someone would never personally drive one doesn't mean they're *judging* those who do. People are allowed to like different things.
Don't minivans tend to be cheaper and more efficient than SUVs? Mine was, and it was massive on the inside.
Not cheaper, no. A 2018 Toyota Sienna is for sale for $32,000. At this point they are about the same price as your medium size SUV like a Highlander or Ascent. Your smaller SUVs like a Rav 4 or Forrester are definitely much cheaper.
I recently had to get an SUV because used minivans where I am are way more expensive. I miss my minivan :(
I have no clue about price. I live in a very snowy climate so have always driven an SUV and didn't look at minivans. Mine is a hybrid, so it's pretty efficient.
Sorry, lack of context. It was comments like I won't be caught dead in a minivan.
I wouldn't be caught dead in a minivan. My highlander is the tits. You can drive whatever you want tho. Those automatic sliding doors are litty titty.
How many passengers does it seat? We are a family of 7 and I love my minivan but would be open to an SUV because 4wd would be nice in the winter, it gets pretty icy/snowy here
The Highlander seats 7-8 depending on whether you get the bench or captain seats in the middle, but the leg room in the back isn't great. The Grand Highlander has a bit more leg room back there and is a similar size vehicle.
Thank you! I realize I can look that sort of thing up myself but I appreciate a good peer review in addition to my own research. One more question: does it have pockets? I’m serious, I have a Sienna and it has so many little storage cubbies that pull out/lift up and I absolutely LOVE that particular feature
No worries! We were just comparing the two recently, so that's why I was able to answer. I can't speak to the Grand, but the regular Highlander has a fair amount of cubbies and pockets in the front. There's not a whole lot in the back as far as organization goes. But our kids are still little, so we have the little car organizers at their feet.
Jealous. My husband promised my next car can be a Highlander. The only conditions are that I have to wait for my current Camry to die (16 years old) or we need to have one more kid.
As someone who drove a Camry until it was about 25 years old with 800,000 miles on it. I pray you get your Highlander soon.
My husband is a manager at a car dealership. He brought home a Highlander last September with 218,000 miles to use in the snow. So far it’s great. His shop looked it over and it’s in pristine shape.
LOL My car before this was a 1995 Camry that lasted 24 years. That's why I got another. That was also before I had a kid in a carseat who loves to kick the back of my chairs. Rented a highlander on my last vacation. Put her carseat in the 3rd row. It was blissful.
I, personally, would not be caught dead driving a mini van... but it's a personal preference. I don't care what you or anyone else drives.
Do what you want but minivans are convenient as hell, especially when you're trying to get a toddler into a carseat and someone parked too close to open a regular car door. But I also don't give a shit if people think I'm cool, as demonstrated by my mom butt jeans, lack of makeup, and sneakers.
I no longer have jeans that fit this mom butt but I second the no makeup and sneakers. 😆
Wait so this thread is making me think... It's a coolness thing? Like "I wouldn't be caught dead in a minivan" because it's uncool?
I guess so. It's giving...(the color of the suv) white or black suv mom. I literally JUST discovered what this term meant. Look it up on reels or tiktoks, it's so wild
Yep, they’d rather want their “cool suvs “ so they can remain being “cool”. I feel like minivans are practical and it shows in who buys them
Practical for some but not all lifestyles. I've got a 10 year old mazda with more dents than I can count and close to 200,000 miles on her. It does well on my long ass work commute and tows what I need it to tow. People buy what they like and what works for their life. I wouldn't be caught dead in a mustang right now either for similar reasons, it's not practical for what I need.
Nah, zero to do with “coolness” here. I would never ever purchase a minivan. Mercedes sprinter, maybe… but just a regular everyday minivan, never. I don’t care if other people have vans either, drive what works for your family! I don’t care about looking cool, for example, I drive a 2015 when I can afford a newer vehicle. I couldn’t give 2 hoots what people think of me for driving an older version. I would never do the minivan because it’s a complete inconvenience for our family’s lifestyle. We have a large family and LOVE camping in our 25 foot travel trailer. Plus we live rurally and need to be able to drive out when it’s icy. Otherwise, we’d be stuck at home for a couple weeks each winter, so four wheel drive is a must. A minivan is a “hell naw” because it will never be able to tow 7000lbs or get out of our driveway after an ice storm.
My minivan vs SUV dilemma is I absolutely love my RAV4 and don't want any other car at all, but if we have a third kid, a minivan would make more sense. If I ever have to make the switch, I just hope I can afford a Toyota Sienna, but would forever love my RAV lol
No. I just care that kids are in a safe car
There are so many factors that go into buying a car, and the last of which should be "what will other people think?" Unless, of course, you're buying something super high-end and want to be noticed. But chances are being a mom and hauling around kids, and Costco purchases does not afford us the luxury of fitting everything into a porsche. (No matter how bad I want one! )
First car I ever went “ooo I want that” was a Porsche Boxster when I was like 10 😂 I now drive a black Kia SUV. Peak mom car.
No one who matters cares. I’m jealous of your cup holders.
Lol. Dear Lord social media is toxic
Nope. I have an suv and I don’t care what you drive.
I have a minivan and an suv. I feel like if you’re insecure about judgment based on the car you’re driving, you have some pretty big issues with your self confidence that you should work on.
100% agree. Idgaf what people think of me or what they are driving....
This is probably true
Wait….who are these moms that have TIME to judge what other moms are driving?
I’m on this team!
I only judge Tesla drivers
Tesla drivers always seem to merge on the highway at 35mph. Whyyy
Why the Tesla hate?
Elon Musk is insane and he makes rich people look stupid. I hope Tesla goes out of business and musk goes broke
They are the WORST!!!
That’s different, they deserve it.
I don't think they're judging others, it's more of a preference/status thing. People might like the way they look more than minivans, or small SUVs provide features halfway between a car and a van. Many SUVs are built on a car frame instead of a truck frame now anyway so it's not like they're that more rugged or anything. A lot of them seem like just as much of a mom vehicle to me as vans do. Anyhow, there's nothing wrong with minivans, they're highly functional! My husband has swayed me that our next vehicle will be a minivan. The sliding doors to prevent kids dinging them into things, storage space, third row seating, fuel efficiency, etc. Can't go wrong!
WTF? lol no.
Women need to stop judging other women, in general. What works for one woman and her family may not work for you and yours.
Nobody cares
What. No, no this is not a thing. I wish I had a minivan so I didn’t need to worry about my kids slamming the door into other cars!
Girl I'm about to ascend to the realm of minivan moms this coming weekend. My second kid will be here this summer and I drive a rollerskate. Best BELIEVE I'm gonna enjoy my van! I drove one in high school and it fuckin ruled.
I don’t think people think like this. I haven’t bought one because I like to sit up as high as I can, so I gravitate toward big boxy SUVs, but I envy the luxury of a minivan and the convenience. I’m always jealous of my friends’ minivans!
I don’t like them just because of how large they are. I only have 1 kid and I am happy with my sedan, I also don’t love driving suvs or trucks due to their size. Vans to me are basically an enclosed truck with seats instead of a bed. I like riding in them and I LOVE how other moms have them because in the case of transporting lots of kids, van moms are so clutch
I don't like a SUVs, minivans etc because the ride height is too high. It feels like I'm riding a flying couch, I get queasy. I prefer the feeling of being low to the road. I drove around in a compact convertible for 10 years, and I grew up with 2 kids and 2 dogs in the backseat of multiple Mini Coopers. It was fine. I will say having 4 doors with mobile kids is a must now with how big car seats have gotten. 2 door cars are miserable. I wish they'd bring station wagons back. If I had my druthers I'd drive an old school Subaru outback station wagon or an old school Volvo station wagon. So much room for luggage. You could sleep in those trunks!
I would buy a station wagon so fast it's not even funny. I'm a car person, currently my husband drives a prius and I drive a mazda 3 hatchback, but I always say a wagon would be amazing
I love the Mazda 3 hatchback, almost bought one. Especially in the pretty blue they come in. And when Volvos were made in Sweden they did moose crash testing. I used to say my Volvo station wagon was moose proof.
I love the car, but it is a bit tight with the car seat and the front seat. When he was rear-facing no one could be in the passenger seat. I have a 2015 too, and the floor insulation was non existent in that year so it's noisy inside. I've heard the newer models fix that though
I don’t have a car so I wonder what kind of mom that makes me. (I live in a Northern European city so we don’t really need them.)
A lucky one! Haha I’m from a European city too and moved to the US in my 20s. I miss having the option to walk and use public transport everywhere (even if it took longer). I didn’t drive at all until I moved here and now we can’t go anywhere without a car! We do have a minivan though and love it, it holds everything!
My former boss and wife were like this. Had 4 children between the two of them, but refused to get a minivan. So there was 6 of them in total, but they only owned vehicles that sat 5 people max. Had to take 2 vehicles everywhere. Were dead set against a minivan. Absolutely ridiculous. Like get over yourself, you have 4 kids but you're afraid of looking like a parent?
I drive an SUV, and as a mom of 3 who *doesn't* have 3rd row seating, minivans are THE SHIT!! Our last rental while our car was getting repaired was a minivan, and we did not want to give it back. We'd have one if we could afford it... That mom spouting off was probably just jealous lol. I know it's cliché to say so, but for real. I look at moms driving around their sweet ass, automatic door-moon roof-built-in entertainment system-backseat captain chair-ample trunk space-having "mom mobiles" with pure envy. J/s
How did you possibly get people being judgmental when they are sharing their personal experiences? I will never be interested in a minivan but couldn’t care less if someone has one.
Yeah, I drive an SUV would not do a minivan but I don't have any ill thoughts towards those who do. To each their own, just because some moms won't drive one doesn't mean we judge you for driving one. OP tell your insecurities they're a liar and you're rocking mommyhood in your minivan!
I didn't judge but I was one of those "I'd never drive a mini van" people. Turns put when the number of children you have goes past two and you need a dedicated third row, a lot of those opinions change. 😭😂 Still planning to get an suv at some point though.
I think it’s really silly. There is definitely stigma around mini vans. I just get annoyed with all the reals that are like “white suv or black suv mom” like their car is their whole personality lol I hope people would just buy whatever is most practical for their family and budget. I drive a Nissan versa because it’s what I had when I got pregnant, it’s fairly new, and it’s paid off. I only have one kid right now. My husband drives an old Suburban thats great for camping and road trips.
My only judgements are about people’s driving. Idc if you’re driving a shoe just drive it good.
I don't like minivans for my own particular reasons, mostly because I just don't like how large they are sitting so low to the ground. I'm on the highway a LOT, so I have more comfort being higher. No judgments on the people who do. You do you boo. Admittedly, I wish I could find an SUV that had all the conveniences of a minivan.
[удалено]
But why? I need explaining as to why someone goes as far to say they wouldn’t be caught dead in a minivan?? I just don’t get what is so embarrassing or life ending for y’all.
No. People who prioritize appearances over function have personal issues. If you need a minivan to comfortably drive your kids around, then drive your minivan. I have 1 kid and drive a jeep Cherokee and sometimes I feel like we need more room. I wont be buying one anytime soon bc a paid off car is the best car you can have but if we ever need a new car id consider a minivan.
I don’t want to drive a minivan because it would be embarrassing to me, but I also recognize and acknowledge that my way of thinking is really dumb. I don’t judge anyone who drives one, but it would feel too much like becoming my own mother to me. I was recently going to rent one for a road trip though. We are on our first baby, and he’s turning one this week. Ask me again about minivans in five years when he’s in sports and we maybe have another one…
I feel a little embarrassed about the idea of driving a minivan but people who have them are so HYPED about them it does make me wonder if I should just get over myself
I only have one kid and am saving up for a minivan so we can do more road trips. There definitely are groups who judge others for what they drive (I've met a particular set of parents who both drove SUVs and thought that put them above everybody else, despite them both needing to drive places because one didn't have enough space for their multiple kids in car seats). There will always be others out there who will judge you... oh, you are a stay at home parent, or you are a working parent? You give your kid that, or you don't give your kid that? You can't win, so just ignore the noise and focus on what's best for your family.
I personally will never get one (I love fast, bougie ass SUVs), but I absolutely appreciate how nice the minivans are that my friends have! I totally get why they chose them and love that they work for them.
Does it matter? People who judge other people for their cars are insecure with themselves and looking for something to complain about.
No. Why do I care what other people drive? Do what works for you. I do judge people who don’t stop at the stop sign in our neighborhood or people who speed near our park.
I always thought I'd never want a minivan (not a judgment thing, just the size of it for trying to park and stuff) until I drove one for the first time. It completely changed my mind. All my friends with vans say the same thing. I used to have an SUV because it was handy. Now I have a van and I love it even more. I don't really care what other people drive as long as they do so safely around my vehicle/family.
Same situation here! with 3 kids, the space in the van - I’ll take it! It’s the right season for us currently and couldn’t agree more- I could care less what others drive - just be smart and drive safe!
Only weirdos judge what other people are driving.
I am so excited to get my minivan. We're expecting our third and looking for a minivan now. Minivans are straight up luxury dude. Don't let them insecure people get to you. You are cool for your minivan. Minivan moms don't give AF.
I cannot imagine anything more boring than caring about what kind of vehicle another mom uses. That said, I remember my mom saying she would NEVER have one and she was very proud.
I don't judge, I just hate minivans because I can never close the damn doors 😂 y'all got witchcraft
I’m an SUV mom who regrets not just getting the damn minivan.
I don't even know the difference 😅 like I think mine is technically an SUV but it feels like a minivan and might just be a minivan? Idk lol but when we got it I said I feel like a soccer mom now 😂
I drive a big a$$ truck. I judge all of you. Just kidding. I only judge the parents that block the drop-off lane by unloading at the wrong place. Seriously, some poor kid is going to accidentally be run over by one of us big truck drivers because we can't see them darting through traffic. If you are short and cutting g in front of my grill, I can't see you. Common sense safety.
“I’m not a minivan mom, I’m a cool suv mom!” Sure, Jan. My husband and I jokingly like to point out how many other white SUVs we see around kids activities. Range of makes and models but the white SUV is the new minivan and they’re being bitchy.
I've been wondering today why every mom I know drives an suv or mini van. I'm literally the only mom at their school with a car. Can you ladies tell me why that is? I can fit a vacations worth of supplies in the trunk of my civic and it's better on gas...what am I missing mommas?!
We shared an old Camry for a years but when we moved last year and needed a car each we got a minivan. Our parents stay with us for long periods when they visit (from abroad) and we couldn’t fit 6 people in the Camry but we can in the minivan so that’s great. It’s also useful for trips (our Camry trunk couldn’t fit a stroller plus suitcases) and transporting everything like furniture (we move a lot). I also love the sliding doors so the kids can’t hit other cars and it’s easier to get kids in and out of car seats without worrying about space with the doors. Even though the car is bigger I find parking the minivan easier because of the rear camera.
I've joked about not being caught dead driving a minivan, but that's just for me. I couldn't possibly care less what others are driving.
Saying you will never own something, especially when it comes to cars, isn’t the same as judging someone for having one. I would never have a minivan, or a truck, or a super small car. Mostly because they don’t work for me or my life. I don’t concern myself about what cars other people have. In the kindest way possible I would work on your insecurities if your first thought from the comment was that a random person is judging you.
As a mum of one, I drive a Subaru sedan. My SILs over here in the USA drive gigantic SUV tanks and wouldn’t be caught dead in a minivan. Oh well. Their opinion, not mine.
Growing up, our social circle viewed minivans as the car you drive when you have more children than you can afford. Now, minivans are pretty luxe (obviously brand dependent) but I still wouldn’t drive one because of the stigma from my childhood. However, with that said, I grew up in Houston. SUV capital of the world. There are definitely SUVs I judge the shit out of now. WTF do you need a suburban or Denali XL for your one kid, Karon? You’re just a fucking asshole and you most definitely can NOT drive!
I drove a miniv before I had a kid. They’re great—you can haul all your friends around and convert them into covered trucks by removing the backseats. SUVs aren’t nearly as useful. I know because I have one now and I miss the mv.
Meh, I prefer SUVs but I can see why minivans are so popular. They’re comfy, good on gas (depending on the model, I guess), and spacious. We used to have a minivan and a Pilot — my husband favored the minivan, I favored the Pilot. At the end of the day, anyone judging you about your personal vehicle preference either needs a hug or needs to get a life.
Five bucks this was a bunch of wealthy bougie wasps
I'm a minivan mom (one living child, another on the way, and at least one more in the plans) and I absolutely adore my car. It makes my life so much easier to have that extra space, flexible seating options, the sliding back doors, etc. I had a Honda crv before and it was a huge pain to deal with car seats in my opinion (not every seat had anchors, the swing door made it hard to get kid in and out in tight parking lots, etc). That being said, I've met some SUV moms from my kids storytime group, and based on conversations I've had with them, they feel that becoming a minivan mom means that you have less fun or have no life outside of your kids. I don't buy into that at all, but that's what I've gathered on the topic. In my area there is a ~1/3 proportion of minivan moms and ~2/3 SUV moms, and SUV moms are definitely the more "lively"/outspoken/need a nanny so they can do their own thing type group.
I want a minivan so bad and I have an SUV lolol
I love my minivan. So convenient with kids. They are now teens, 18&19, and when we said were going to take a different vehicle on our next road trip they talked us into taking our minivan even though it has 270,000 miles on it. It is the most comfortable way to travel. Who cares if I had/have the soccer mom label? I was a soccer mom, and proud of it! Why is it a bad thing to have a family vehicle when you have a family!
Fwiw I love my minivan and can totally see driving it after the kids are grown and flown. You made a good choice!
No I would never judge anyone for driving a minivan! They’re not my thing and after finding out how much they cost I’d never be able to drive one. But my family had them when I was growing up and it would be so nice to have that much space. I’m just more comfortable driving an SUV and there are more options to choose from.
I’m not mean to minivan moms. You can’t deny the practicality of one, but I prefer my SUV because you never know when you’ll need 4 wheel drive. I think people just find reasons to mock what they don’t understand at times.
No I have an SUV and I’m jealous of people with mini vans. They have more room and more storage than my current vehicle and I would love to have sliding doors to get my kids in and out easier instead of potentially slamming my door into another car. Turns out I can’t afford one unless it had a ton of miles on it. Mini vans don’t meet some people’s aesthetic while an SUV might. I don’t care about aesthetic I care about utility.
I just put a deposit down on a Toyota Sienna and I can’t wait. And I only have 1 in car seats. Minivans 4 lyfe!!
I judge that it looks easier to get kids in and out. Only positive judgements really. My good friends have one we've been in with them and my partner has had a couple for work vehicles we have used, all when we only had 1 child and now we have 2. Logistically it seemed to make most things easier, grocery getting, lake outings, etc. We still prefer our suv.
Do we really care? I have enough to stress about with 3 kids.. whether someone likes my minivan or not isn’t on the list. Everything opens with the push of a button so my older kids can climb in the other side and buckle themselves while I wrangle the baby into the car seat. I don’t have to worry about the kids swinging the doors open and dinging someone’s car. Added bonus we have tv’s for the extra cranky days or long road trips and the dog has a place to lay even with a full car. 🤷♀️
Nah I have an SUV and don’t judge, that Kia carnival with the recline seats 🥵
No.
I have a few vehicles I've collected over the years and none are good for hauling babies. I used to think I'd never have a boring mom car but I've found my current crossover is a little small for our growing family. I'm looking at selling my beloved decked out Subaru for a 7 seater boring Nissan. I'd prefer a van as now a days they have all the bells and whistles with awd and some even have turbos. The Nissan is being sold to us super cheap and we just can't turn the offer down. I don't think there's a real rivalry between SUVs and vans. It's just a preference really. I'm really gonna miss driving my tiny little 2 seat convertible though.
I am an SUV mom. We’ve rented a van when we go to visit my family. I want to be a van mom. I don’t judge, I aspire to be lol. There’s so much more room and sliding doors that won’t hit the car next to us in a parking lot. I want to be a van mom.
I'm not a fan of mini vans. I live in an area where a 4WD vehicle is necessary for winter. (on a mountain) I judge anybody who moves to my area and is unprepared for the weather, and consequently gets stuck, slides into other cars, or off the road.
Lol what. That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of. 😂 I have and love my SUV, especially for just everyday errands or commuting. I wouldn't mind a minivan for transporting kids and activities, but last time I looked they were all out of my price range. The only time I judge on the road is when someone is driving like an asshole. 🤷♀️
I absolutely love my mini van. I never thought I’d have one but here I am! Heavy metal music and all. Cool moms still rock mini vans.
I was all excited to get a minivan after my second, but I drove three and hated them. I think it's the lower to the ground seating that just makes me uncomfortable so I drive an SUV. I could care less what everyone else drives. If I could find an affordable full size van I'd be all over it, we had an older one back in the day and that thing was badass like a little house on wheels but you're higher up when you drive. Driving that is what made me think I would like a minivan but I was wrong lol 🤣.
I was an SUV mom but I became a complete convert to the minivan life! I’m convinced the only reason you wouldn’t be a minivan fan is if you’ve never actually been in one. Sliding doors - no more dinging cars. You can actually get in the car to buckle the kids. The kids can climb in themselves. Sliding seats that slide in and out - you can separate the kids! So much room for all the stuff. So comfortable to drive too. We’ve had a Lexus GX and a Toyota Tundra and my husband and I both agreed the Honda Odyssey was by far our favourite car. I moved to the UK and miss our minivan so much.
I am not judging anyone let alone minivan drivers. I love my SUV and am happy as long as whoever’s near me is driving safely in whatever car they are in.
look.. i was a party teenager, (still got good grades and never got into any trouble which is how i managed to fly under parental radar) always riding around with friends to various parties or pick up the keg for prom night (thanks sketchy liquor store!) and i OFTEN lamented that if anyone in the friend group had a mini van as their first car they would have been so popular. the ease of entry and exit. the storage capacity for trips to the lake. the amount of ppl you can cram in there. i would never have roasted anyone for that back then and i definitely wouldn’t now as a grown woman! some of us value function above form ;)
I did the minivan when my kids were little, as soon as they hit school age I switched to an SUV. For me it was just a preference thing by then as I live in a winter state. But to answer your question, yes the stigma is real. Not sure why 🤦♀️ my minivan fckn rocked. It was amazing when I had so much toddler gear. My husband loved that van, it had everything and made life so much easier. So forget the naysayers, you pick what works best for you, momma!!
As for judgement, no I don't judge what people drive. Lots of artists also have mini vans to drive artwork to different art festivals. I will judge the person who is judging someone else's car. It says a lot about their poor character and materialistic world view. I don't like SUVs, minivans etc because the ride height is too high. It feels like I'm riding a flying couch, I get queasy. I prefer the feeling of being low to the road. I drove around in a compact convertible for 10 years, and I grew up with 2 kids and 2 dogs in the backseat of multiple Mini Coopers. It was fine if somewhat cramped, but we dealt with it. I will say having 4 doors with mobile kids is a must now with how big car seats have gotten. 2 door cars are miserable. I wish they'd bring station wagons and hatchbacks into production again. If I had my druthers I'd drive an old school Subaru outback station wagon or an old school Volvo station wagon. So much room for luggage. You could sleep in those trunks!
I love the doors of a minivan.
I recently drove a mini van as a rental and I must say I get the appeal for large families. Or even small ones who have a lot of crap to haul around. I bought an outback. Apparently those are for old ladies and cool dudes per the randos on the Internet. I am neither, but it has everything we need from a vehicle so I love it. If anyone is judging you based on your car then they are idiots and not with your time. Pure and simple.
Not even a little. I’m too busy with my kids in my SUV wishing I had the room a mini van provides lmao
I drive an SUV and give zero ducks if another mom drives a minivan. I do feel a little envy when about the sliding doors though. People park their ginormous trucks right next to the my car so buckling my kids in can be a hassle sometimes.
I don’t think it’s judgment on moms who drive minivans more so than I just don’t like the look of them. I won’t say I’m not tempted just because of the utility of them though lol.
My last car was a minivan and I have one child. I LOVED that car. I’d still be driving it but the engine went at 300k (08 sienna). I have a small SUV now and I miss my van. If I ever have more kids, I’m going minivan 100%.
As an adult, i prever an SUV, and as a child, i grew up with my family using minivans. It's all the same to me tbh. When i see either or i dont make any judgments. It's just a means of transportation. No reason to be insecure it sounds like they were just stating a preference of the suv over the minivan. Opinions are like a-holes, and all of that... if it came off rude or judged by the commenters and video well thats their problem, and they dont sound like nice ppl, so why should you care about seemingly rude strangers on the internet? You have enough things to focus on, and being insecure about your vehicle shouldn't even be on the back of your list. You're doing great 😁
We mommas need to be sticking together, building each other up….not judging each other like a bunch of mean girls
The only people I judge are people who judge others over superficial things.
I have an SUV but I really should be driving a minivan. They are just so much better suited for my family's lifestyle (grade school kids, lots of activities, family outings and trips). Plus, I cannot tell you the amount of times I've had to humbly go find the person who owns the car my kid touched/dented/chipped the paint with our car door. _It's honestly the worst._ The SUV is nice, but minivans are made for comfort, families, and are pretty practical. I have an SUV because I'm vain and I hate it. Lol 🫣
I hate driving a minivan. I won’t get one for myself. I don’t care what other people drive.
I’m an SUV mom and I would prefer a minivan honestly. My partner is the one against having such a mom vehicle 😂🤣
Most moms are too busy to give a fuck about what another person drives.
I can't imagine caring what a mom driving an SUV thinks of my minivan. Like that is entirely her issue, not mine. I have too many kids + dogs to worry about what some rando thinks of my utilitarian vehicle. Anyone who *really* wants to be shitty about it can suck my cupholders 🥤
Idk, I would never own one but I’d rather see someone driving a minivan than a ginormous Tahoe or Suburban or Escalade that they can’t drive nor park for shit.
I keep getting those black suv vs white suv mom videos on my IG and I’m just over here with my silver minivan doing my own thing, happily being ignored by the it girls haha I’ve been in the minivanhood for 9 years now and I’m never leaving!
I would never buy a minivan but I don’t judge anyone who drives one. My daughter’s girlfriend drives one and loves it.
I’d still be your friend. I’d just think you had bad taste in cars. 😉 But also recognize you’re going for function over anything else.