Author Topic: WHY do DINKs need an SUV? (Read 7334 times)

MaterDominici · « **Reply #15 on:** June 25, 2010, 03:00:54 PM »

Quote from: CathMomof7

This is a sensitive issue for me as well. I remember when we had only 3 kids, we drove around FOREVER in an old Chevy Cavalier. At that time, the car seat laws hadn't gotten outrageous, so we had one car seat in the middle of the back seat and the other two, who were 7 and 4, just sat on either side in seat belts. We were happy. We didn't get a mini-van until we were having #4!! We now have a mini-van that seats 7 and we have 6 kids--oye--two of whom have to be in car seats. We we all go places together and around town, we just cram the little ones all in the back. My husband has a little truck that we use for hauling stuff but it only seats 2. If we go on long trips and we have to take everybody we have to take both vehicles. We could really use a 12 passenger van since we are expecting #7. LOL

What are the carseat laws where you are? Here, they just upped the age to 8 for keeping kids in car seats. However, there are some "loopholes" for lack of a better term. If your vehicle holds 2 car seats and you have 4 kids, only two of them legally have to be in the seats. The same applies to seatbelts. Everyone has to be buckled UNLESS there simply aren't enough seatbelts to accomodate the passengers. The spirit of the law suggests that they only wish to require you to purchase a car seat, not a new car. But, they don't outright say that you can ditch all the car seats in favor of cramming more kids in. LOL

Don't trust my interpretation of this law too much, but the point was that there was some sort of "no hardship" clause in there.

In our case, we have 3 who should be in safety seats, but our car only fits 2 traditional car seats in the back. Legally, we don't have to have anything for our third, but we purchased a safety vest for him anyhow. The vest is designed with big-city taxi/train/etc passengers in mind. Also, for the carpooling mom who has an occassional extra passenger and doesn't want to keep an extra car seat in the vehicle. It's a bit of a pain to buckle, but was way cheaper than a new vehicle. :smile:

Here's the "plan" for #4 when that time comes... a relative passed down a Ford Explorer to us when they changed vehicles since they would have gotten next to nothing for trading it in. We've been driving it and it's reliable enough that we're going to put a few hundred dollars into buying an additional seat for the back. (I didn't know anyone made such a thing, but came across an ad in a homeschooling magazine.) The seat is kid-sized too, so kids in the 4-8 age range don't need a car seat to ride there.

If the Explorer holds up, perhaps our first vehicle purchase as a married couple will be for kid #6 (or #7?)

LOL

clare · « **Reply #16 on:** June 25, 2010, 03:28:31 PM »

In the UK, children need car seats until they are either 12 years old or 135 cm tall, whichever they reach first.

http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/law/index.htm

CathMomof7 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 25, 2010, 04:57:17 PM »

Quote from: MaterDominici

What are the carseat laws where you are?

In my state children must be in an actual carseat until their 4th birthday. They must be in a booster seat until their 7th birthday. Our daughter is 6 1/2 and we don't always have her in a booster seat, so we sorta push that. The state next to us, where we travel often, requires children be in a booster seat until their 8th birthday or they are 48 in' tall. It's all ridiculous and their is absolutely no evidence to suggest that, after age 2, a restraining seat is any more effective than a normal lap belt. The guys who wrote Freakonomics made a video about it. They blog about it often. Reports come out all the time to support the idea that car seats aren't any safer than a seat belt. AND if the car seat you own is ever in an accident, no matter the damage, that car seat must be replaced. It's all ridiculous and obsessive.

spouse of Jesus · « **Reply #18 on:** June 25, 2010, 05:28:56 PM »

My guess is that the whole "seat bussiness" is a trick to make mothers less contanct with their babies and less desirous of them as a result. It is not a law here, but people are buying seats for everything. Sth like stroler for use at home (so no need to carry the child) another with a handle when you are out door (no need to take them in your arms) one that moves, so that even if they cry, you shake it's handle rather than rocking the child. For those who can't affort many seats, there are 3 in 1 types.
So the image of a mother (or a father) with a child in their arm is soon to be a part of history along with family, modesty and many other values, (it could be 100% so if The church wasn't eternal)

Alexandria · « **Reply #19 on:** June 25, 2010, 06:43:12 PM »

What is a DINK?

Telesphorus · « **Reply #20 on:** June 25, 2010, 06:47:23 PM »

Quote from: Ancilla Domini

What I can't understand is why children are required to be in car seats or booster seats while riding in their families' vehicles, but school buses do not even have the most basic seat belts.

School buses are much heavier vehicles and are therefore safer.

Nevertheless, you make an excellent point. School buses are a symbol of the seemingly sacred public school system, yet what a symbol they are. Dirty, ugly, smelly, full of vulgar and often cruel children, they are symbolic of the callous contempt that liberalism holds for children.

clare · « **Reply #21 on:** June 26, 2010, 03:00:16 AM »

Quote from: Alexandria

What is a DINK?

Double Income, No Kids.

Also known as DINKY: Double Income, No Kids Yet.

treadingwater · « **Reply #22 on:** June 26, 2010, 07:23:45 PM »

DINK ! :roll-laugh1: I just love the suv people who have dogs instead of children. they always have great parenting advice and life tips. On the other end the green people with their hybrid cars look at my family as if we are the :devil2: with our large gas guzzling van, and all my little carbon footprints.

i think the car seat laws are crazy! of course I follow them what choice do we have. When my grandmother was raising her 5 children their were no laws. the day she brought her youngest home for the hospital they had a milk truck (my grandpas occupation ) her older kids sat on milk crates and the baby was in a wicker basket. She would be in jail today.

dabollig · « **Reply #23 on:** June 26, 2010, 08:44:48 PM »

Have you ever seen that commercial about signing on for parenting which includes relinquishing afternoon naps and disposable income. What is disposable income? My mom raised me full time on an income less than 8 thousand a year and some years were worse than that. When I became a mom I relinquished my rights period! My right to sleep, eat in peace, think normal age related thoughts ( which were replaced by kid themes and annoying tunes), enjoy quite time and my right to live in a non crying/whining environment. retirement comes in 15 years and I will celebrate!

CathMomof7 · « **Reply #24 on:** June 29, 2010, 08:16:51 AM »

Quote from: spouse of Jesus

but people are buying seats for everything. Sth like stroler for use at home (so no need to carry the child) another with a handle when you are out door (no need to take them in your arms) one that moves, so that even if they cry, you shake it's handle rather than rocking the child. For those who can't affort many seats, there are 3 in 1 types.

This drives me crazy. We do have a stroller but we only use it for walks and trips to the mall. We live in a really cold climate and in winter it is not uncommon to see people carrying car seats with covers over them. It sickens me. I bought a sling one year, which I use all the time, and someone actually looked at me in astonishment. When I was carrying my infant in a sling around the grocery, people thought I was insane. One woman even offered to get me one of the carts that has a car seat attached to it. When we were attending the NO, families with infants always brought the whole car seat in the Church and put it on the pew. I honestly believe I was the only mother who actually carried my child in my arms and held him or her throughout Mass. Poor babies--no wonder they have flat heads.

Belloc · « **Reply #25 on:** June 29, 2010, 08:30:33 AM »

Quote from: ACS

Why I am even dignifying this with a response is beyond me but oh well, as you said, I'm crazy because I have an SUV.

well thanks for replying your lordship :roll-laugh1:

:rolleyes:

guess you are one of many that signed up for this forum, yet apparently had no clue of what we talk about, our people here and there views,etc.....sign up, post and then act shocked about what you see/read....

Matthew, can we institute here a literacy test before people are allowed to post?

Belloc · « **Reply #26 on:** June 29, 2010, 08:33:14 AM »

Quote from: ACS

Well, I might be a little late in replying, but at least better late the never, right? Since you were so non-judgemental and just said that my wife and I were crazy instead of insane I figured I would at least reply to your pointless ramblings. Why I am even dignifying this with a response is beyond me but oh well, as you said, I'm crazy because I have an SUV.

First, my wife and I have an SUV, a convertible, a full size pickup truck, and a compact pickup. Why? Because I can. Each one has it's own purpose and I can afford it. That doesn't mean I have to LIKE expensive gas and feel like spending more to fill up. 2nd, yes, I do haul a lot of things frequently. I also tow frequently. I also go off-roading. I also go motocross racing. We also travel a lot. Camp frequently and have a 80 lb dog that we take along during all of these adventures. So yeah, the SUV is pretty necessary. I only have a Grand Cherokee for my daily driver though there are times I could use a Suburban.

Anyway, I've already wasted enough time replying so I will stop things short there. Before passing judgment on other again maybe you should think before you spout off. Or should I just pass judgment on you for the actions of other Catholics as well?

maybe you need those vehicles fow work, etc-fine and good---if not, sounds a tad materialistic." i have them because I can"..well whoppity for you, some here are unemployed, some husbands are about to be.etc...I have some $$ in the bank, but do not brag about it.....some here are barely getting by...good to know you will not be lingering here....

Belloc · « **Reply #27 on:** June 29, 2010, 08:34:21 AM »

Quote from: Matthew

Why don't you have kids? Money doesn't seem to be an issue for you.

You seem to have it backwards -- 4 or 5 cars, but no kids.

I tell you what -- your car collection isn't going to miss you when you're gone. For that matter, they won't keep you company in your old age, either.

4 cars "because I can" --

Ladies and Gentlemen, I think we've found one small example of what's wrong with America today. Why we're in BIG trouble.

Matthew

a ditto head perhaps....see if the cars change his adult diapers some day, or send him a card, nurse him, bury him and mourn for him....

Belloc · « **Reply #28 on:** June 29, 2010, 08:37:38 AM »

Quote from: Catholic Samurai

I really want to start out with a pick-up truck, that way I can transport my wife and 2 children (when I get them... lol) and be able to haul stuff as well. I think I would have to eventually get an SUV since I cant just throw the rest of the kids in the truck bed like some of the Mexicans do (though that would be fun). lol.

true, but at least you are open to life, which is important....the SUV thing is not a biggie for me per se, though it is :roll-laugh1: when one has a huge suburban and one kid nor none, nor work requring such a vehicle.....

I own a Ford Escape, its 5 yrs old, has 85,000 miles and will likely just replace the engine some day as opposed to buying a new car......its paid for, do not want the debt for a new one..

Belloc · « **Reply #29 on:** June 29, 2010, 08:38:32 AM »

Quote from: Matthew

Quote from: Trinity
Wow, you struck a nerve here, Matthew. But I know this is one of your pet peeves.

I'm a bit confused by this post -- could you elaborate?

you may have upset the SOA by critcizing something going on stateside.....