https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 30 May 2026 01:57:22 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids/page/2#post-2491585 Fri, 11 Mar 2016 08:21:06 +0000 whiskers 2491585@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rainbow Sprinkles: just saw this. Awesome! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids/page/2#post-2488062 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 19:56:34 +0000 blackbird 2488062@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rainbow Sprinkles: that's great to hear because while I'm team minivan, I don't think we need one until they're older. </p> <p>My SIL has an expedition and a sequoia. They're freaking gigantic 😳 But also so comfy-I sat in the middle row and had tons of room </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids/page/2#post-2487951 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 18:15:44 +0000 MrsSRS 2487951@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have two kids, but I regularly have at least one extra infant and preschooler. We have a Flex and it's awesome! Two carseats in the third row, accessible by pressing a button and tumbling a second row seat forward, one carseat behind the driver, leaving two second row passenger seats open. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids/page/2#post-2487946 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 18:12:37 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2487946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@whiskers: At first we had one Radian on the side rear-facing, one Radian in the middle forward facing, and then one infant seat on the other side (obviously rear facing). It worked well, too. DD2 was 22 months when our third was born, so she was rear facing facing at first and then we switched her forward at 25 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids/page/2#post-2487942 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 18:10:25 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2487942@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: HAHA. That's never happened! We've lucked out with her. She's REALLY good and easy going and almost always listens! (knock on wood) She just hops right in and does her chest clip. And then tends to Ivy (gives her a pacifier, holds her finger, plays with her, gives her toys) while we drive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids/page/2#post-2487633 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 14:09:48 +0000 KayKay 2487633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH is anti-minivan too, but we rented one last year when house-hunting in our new city, and it was kind of awesome. Mostly, as @oliviaoblivia mentioned, for the convenience of the doors: sliding so no worries about getting infant bucket seat in/out of skinny parking spots and the automatic doors. On top of that, the ease of using the 3rd row, extra trunk space when still using 3rd row, and the gas mileage were all great.</p> <p>@denvermom: we just got upgraded to a loaded Yukon XL on our last ski trip and it. was. amazing. not necessarily the gas mileage or the turning radius...but everything else.</p> <p>ETA: i'm pro-"whatever makes our life easiest" :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids/page/2#post-2487627 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 14:06:49 +0000 MrsF 2487627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Even with *just* 2 kids - I'm obsessed with my Odyssey. Sometimes I have to drive DH's 4 runner and I just can't wait to get back to my van. DH is totally shocked at how much he likes driving it too. Now I kind of have to have at 3rd kid, right? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids#post-2487611 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 14:01:03 +0000 whiskers 2487611@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This has totally been on my mind lately. Fitting 3 kids in a car seems so complicated. The only appeal for a minivan for me is the doors. We won't be able to upgrade a car at all for a while, so we are stuck with my SUV. </p> <p>@Rainbow Sprinkles: This is the configuration I'm considering because I know DD1 will be most helpful in the middle, but with both her siblings being rear facing I've been wondering if it will be a challenge. I also have a CR-V (older style), so I'm glad it seems to work for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids#post-2487553 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 13:41:23 +0000 futuremama 2487553@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We looked at the "mid-size" SUVs and ended up with the new Highlander. It's perfect for us, but we only plan on having 2 kids. We use the 3rd row when we need it, but it's definitely not something I would want to rely on regularly. I don't think you could have a car seat in the 3rd row with a double stroller unless you folded half of the seat down. </p> <p>If we really wanted to go the SUV route, we would've had to upgrade to the Sequoia or Yukon as others have mentioned. Those things are serious beasts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids#post-2487542 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 13:29:20 +0000 skipra 2487542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: Yes the Rav4 and CRV are similar but ours is 2010 and for whatever reason they overlapped the seatbelts so much that it's not allowed or even possible to put 3 car seats in. We actually were between those two and I felt like I could see better in the Rav so that's why we got it but now I'm kicking myself! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids#post-2487531 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 13:25:42 +0000 BSB 2487531@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skipra: I thought Rav 4 and CRV was in the same class, compact crossover SUV. I didn't think it would be that much bigger. I have a CRV and I love it. I don't have 3 kids so I haven't tried 3 across. Yeah, the Highlander hybrid is pretty pricey, but my DH loves his Highlander. I'm really happy with my CRV and I don't ever want to trade it in. (well, maybe later, I'll get a newer CRV). I can drive DH's Highlander but it's slightly too big for my taste. It does drive like a car. We tried the 4 Runner but that drives like a truck and does not have a sliding second row... also it was more expensive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids#post-2487520 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 13:19:16 +0000 skipra 2487520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Following because we have a similar issue. Our Rav 4 can't accommodate 3 across. We have started researching but haven't checked out any cars yet. I don't want a bigger SUV so what we are considering so far are the Prius V, Subaru Outback, Honda CRV, and the Nissan Rogue actually has a 3rd row now but you can't put 3 in the second row so I doubt the storage space would be very good. The only larger SUV I would consider is the Toyota Highlander hybrid but I'm pretty sure it's more than we're willing to spend. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids#post-2487482 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 12:43:58 +0000 looch 2487482@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The Tesla model S has 2 integrated children's seats in the rear of the car, you can seat a total of 7 in a sedan. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids#post-2487473 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 12:39:09 +0000 winniebee 2487473@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rainbow Sprinkles: what do you do about the times when W won't cooperate? Or is that only my 4 year old? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids#post-2487472 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 12:37:20 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2487472@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: yeah, W is in the middle. She crawls in and puts herself in, and then I put the two younger girls in on either end. Once I'm in my seat, I turn around and buckle W. I love having her in the middle because she's a huge help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids#post-2487469 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 12:35:06 +0000 gingerbebe 2487469@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Last summer we rented a fully loaded Highlander from the dealer and while we liked the drive that 3rd row was a joke. The trunk space when it was up could not fit a Costco size pie. Granted their pies are large but really??! It definitely wouldn't have fit an ice chest. I sat in the 3rd row and it was so uncomfortable. We barely fit 4 adults and my son and our luggage for a short trip.</p> <p>We test drive the Honda Pilot and liked that too but the trunk space was still an issue.</p> <p>Then we rented a really bare bones dumpy Dodge minivan when we went to Hawaii and even with no options it was a MILLION times more convenient. The storage, the sliding doors, etc. My husband was starting to become convinced.</p> <p>My cousin has a Yukon XL with 3 kids and she actually ended up leasing a Mini Cooper because she was burning so much gas taking her one kid to the allergist multiple times a week that it was cheaper and more fuel efficient to have a lease on a 3rd car! So she decided to get one that was fun to drive at the very least. </p> <p>Another friend was about to get a Yukon XL after driving a fully equipped Highlander but then realized she couldn't fit it in her garage (you need those long 3rd bay garages) and couldn't justify buying a car that expensive to have it sit in the street or driveway. So she just bought another Highlander because she is anti minivan. We don't have an extra long bay garage either so all that combined we traded in DH's Jeep Grand Cherokee for a Toyota Sienna XLE.</p> <p>Let me tell you, with the captains chairs, storage, automatic sliding doors and trunk - it's heaven. My husband actually ended up LOVING our van and drives it more than me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids#post-2487467 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 12:32:07 +0000 kodybear 2487467@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we have the 2016 honda pilot and theres plenty of room for 3 carseats in the 2nd row. however, it makes the 3rd row inaccessible from the 2nd row as the seats won't move forward with a carseat attached. but if you get the captain row, then people can get in and out of the 3rd row easily, except that one of the kids would have to sit in the back.. so it depends how often you'll have more than 5 people. but we love it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids#post-2487461 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 12:25:50 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2487461@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Years ago HLK posted about switching from a Highlander to a van. She talked about trying to wrangle three into the SUV in a parking lot and how difficult and scary it was.<br /> With a van, L can climb in and get to her seat while I'm buckling the babies. I don't have to worry about her waiting around a busy parking lot while I'm hoisting the other kids into the car.<br /> Team mini van. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids#post-2487456 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 12:18:16 +0000 Happygal 2487456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: I was truly sad when Tom passed. :crying: The brothers always seemed to be having a good time together. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids#post-2487454 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 12:15:59 +0000 winniebee 2487454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@dagret: my husband has an F150 too....I currently have an Edge, which is fine for 2 kids....but 3.....yeesh. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids#post-2487453 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 12:13:28 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2487453@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@dagret: Yes, especially in work clothes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids#post-2487443 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 12:07:12 +0000 dagret 2487443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: Only 2 kids here, but *my* Ody is getting fixed and I'm driving DH's huge, lifted F-150 and I do drop off and pick up. I hate it and it's only Tuesday. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids#post-2487441 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 12:04:34 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2487441@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@dagret: Yup! A mom at daycare just had her third and got a gorgeous new Ody. For a week or so I noticed her loading her kids in and out through the trunk of a Flex. I finally asked her what happened and she said her Ody got rear ended and the flex was the rental. She said it was a huge PITA for kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids#post-2487438 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 12:02:29 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2487438@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just got a Santa Fe xl. Only one kid so far and one on the way. But we got the middle row with bucket seats like a van. I think we will be able to do 3 and have ds in the 3rd row when we eventually have a third kid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids#post-2487437 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 12:00:17 +0000 BSB 2487437@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We don't have 3 kids but DH likes his highlander. You could put 3 across if you use Diono convertible car seats. We traded DH's tacoma because he couldn't put his seat back with the twins infant car seats. With the highlander, the second row can slide back and forth so he has no issues with the car seats touching his driver seat. If you can put everything in the 2nd row, you still have the 3rd row or fold it down for storage. We managed to get a bigger car for the same payments as his pretty new truck. I'm glad the resale value for his truck was great. Oh, his highlander was a year older and fully loaded compared to his truck. Not a bad deal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids#post-2487434 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 11:57:23 +0000 misolee 2487434@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just bought a minivan and we only have two kids. I used to drive the highlander and still love, love the car and am in my mourning period. But the cons of the highlander is that it doesn't have a middle latch and we had to put both the car seats not in the middle. Well, I tried sitting in the middle and it's really uncomfortable and my butt barely fit. My mom occasionally comes with us so she wouldn't be able to fit. We have a third row seating, but since both car seats are at the end, we couldn't fold it down to access the 3rd row unless you wanted to climb through the trunk (which my 32 year old brother had to do when he came to visit). </p> <p>So we switched and although I was very anti minivan...you can't beat the room and comfort! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids#post-2487419 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 11:52:03 +0000 winniebee 2487419@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Happygal: i love CarTalk! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids#post-2487418 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 11:51:43 +0000 winniebee 2487418@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rainbow Sprinkles: how do you get the infant seat in and out of the car? Is one of the convertibles in the middle? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids#post-2487415 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 11:48:38 +0000 dagret 2487415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My friends with triplets had a brand-new Ford Flex and they hated it. They went for an Ody and love it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-mini-van-options-for-3-kids#post-2487411 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 11:47:29 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2487411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have 3 in a Honda cr-v and it's been easy peasy. No need for anything bigger unless we want to drive with other people, but that has yet to happen. My husband is rarely with us so I have room for a sister or MIL. We have Diono Radians and a Keyfit (soon to be another Radian) 3 in a row and it fits great. :) and I didn't have to get rid of my beloved car. </p>