There are certain clichéd “marks of parenthood” that a lot of parents have difficulty committing to. Parenthood itself is certainly one. Turning your home office into a nursery. Your family room into a playroom. The backseat of your car into a trashcan.
So when it comes to the things you have some control over, you hold on even tighter. Like buying a minivan.
Not to toot my own horn here but I was ready for one three years ago. I was sick of cramming the three of us (at that point) and our stuff into a sedan for long roadtrips. I knew the family would be expanding so I figured – let’s get rid of any semblance of cool right now. Let’s do this thing. On top of that, I had been broken in my 20s when playing in a six-piece band that had no money for a real van. The used New Yorker I had been driving at the time died its final death and I traded in my balls for a 1990 Dodge Caravan - that I not only drove to shows but to college.
So yeah, I was fine with it. Rosalie, on the other hand, was not. So we leased a small Toyota Highlander and crammed ourselves into it for 3 more years.
Until two weeks ago when she finally caved and joined the team. We are now the proud 56 month leasers of a new Toyota Sienna. Yeah – that is a long time, pal. Youbetcherassitis.
The boys love the thing. Not only is it new but they can walk around in it like it’s a house. Because it kind of is. 15 cup holders (!), tray tables, an automatic door, room for 68, 2 glove boxes (I mean, really) and 6 nasty, badass cylinders. No DVD player, though. We’re on a budget here, people.
I think Rose likes it. She seems fine with it. She’ll see the real value when we’re headed to the Shore or Vermont and the boys’ knees aren’t against their chests because there just wasn’t room for the stroller anywhere else and strapping it to the roof isn’t an option because of the one time it almost flew off on 95.
Yeah – I think she’ll come around.