2 young kids, 1 family car - logistical nightmare or workable?

Andrewf20

Hey folks,

We have a 2 year old and a 2nd baby due in December. Im thinking of buying a 2 seater car (without the ability to disable the passenger airbag possibly) but we are concerned with the logistics of having 2 kids and 1 "family" car.

Do many people have this set up and is it workable or a pain? i.e. Mammy wants to go somewhere with kid A but Daddy needs go somewhere else with kid B.

Some alternative ideas I have are child seats for the bike possibly, bus or good old fashioned walking. Other ideas welcome!

We are based in Dublin btw. All feedback appreciated.:)

Jennehy

4wd suv especially with all the snow we get now.

harr

Only one car here and generally it’s fine only on the odd occasion we have found a need for a second car..but if your are in the position of getting a second car I would definitely reconsider getting a two seater.. it would be a shame having a car in the drive and not being able to use it.
Kids grow up very quick and with that comes the long list of new activities..
Surely you can find a sporty car with 4/5 seats ...

Wheety

Priorities change now. If you're going to have 2 cars, both should be capable of carrying both kids?

If you insist, would a Go Car subscription or something similar work?

Andrewf20

Go Car might be an option - il look into that also - cheers.

The idea of not having this car breaks my heart and this car is very rare in Ireland. No 4 seater compares to this car im afraid. If I dont get it now, ill never get it. : (

jlm29

We have one car that fits us all (2 adults, 3 kids), and one commercial vehicle with two front seats and no ability to disable the front airbag.
It’s a balls about 3-4 tines a year, but otherwise it’s grand!
The odd morning I go away for work, my oh does the drop off in my car and I take the jeep.
Only one of our kids is in school now though, maybe it will be more annoying as time goes on!
My OH can take one child forward facing in the front seat of his jeep, airbags on.

pwurple

Andrew, you’re a father now. This sounds like a car for a man with a mid life crisis. Does it come with obligatory golf clubs and a bald patch?

Forget the pretty toy for a few years and get something practical for gods sake.

uck51js9zml2yt

2kids and 1 car.
My wife did the unthinkable and walked both kids to different schools. Both in same school this year

Pelvis

First World problems eh?

Yawns

2 Kids - 1 car here. I work about 85km away so wife walks the kids to school. It's only about 3k/m each way. If I'm off work and she needs the car for anything, I'll walk them.

If you are getting a car, don't get a two seater. Get something practical with plenty of boot space to carry everything you will need. You'll be delighted in the long run.

facehugger99

Andrewf20 wrote: »

Im thinking of buying a 2 seater car

You're having a mid-life crisis.

It's quite common and will pass.

Get an estate.

helimachoptor

Our oldest is almost 4, youngest 2.5.
We've had one car for 3 years, I cycle to work which helps.

The only time I miss a car is when my wife goes home for the weekend to visit her family but I'm in Dublin so I can't get anywhere I need to on the bus if I want.

Its been a big cosy saving tbh, #3 arriving later this year so will buy a 2nd car

BBMcQ

Yawns wrote: »

If you are getting a car, don't get a two seater.

Mazda RX8 is a great compromise but you need to have a mechanic as a best friend! And don’t intend on going far in it, you’ll have to save up for the petrol to come back!

Rowley Birkin QC

What kind of car is it?

Greybottle

Andrewf20 wrote: »

Go Car might be an option - il look into that also - cheers.

The idea of not having this car breaks my heart and this car is very rare in Ireland. No 4 seater compares to this car im afraid. If I dont get it now, ill never get it. : (

Buy it, no point in regretting it. If it doesn't work out you can always sell it.

Not sure if you drive t owork, but in Dublin I know almost no family who really needs 2 cars. As somebody above said, it might be inconvenient 3-4 times a year at the most.

Sign up to Go Car and use that if things get tricky. You'll only know if it's working or not if you try it.

Best of luck with it.

fishy_fishy

So car of your dreams comes along, you already have a family car, and the response here is "no no Andrew, you're a father now. No more fun for you." And then you're mocked for even liking it in the first place. Smells very Irish.

Go get the car. Exactly how often do you expect to be taking two kids to separate places that both require driving them and gocar or public transport or a lift or a little bit of logistics can't resolve? Plenty of families survive on one car, you'll have 1 family car and 1 daddy car. No big deal.

You're still a person deserving of interests independent of parenting.

shesty

Will this be your only family car?What are your schedules like, will child no.1 be in school soon?Who does drop offs and pick ups if they are in childcare?

If you have another car, then yeah maybe you could consider it depending on any childcare/school arrangements.If you don't have another car....then no.Sorry.

It is a bit of a mid-life crisis thing.At the same time, that doesn't mean don't buy it.But two kids is a game changer (and I'm speaking as a mum of 3 smallies here).Does it have room for a buggy, possibly a double buggy?Can ypu fit the shopping in it (and the buggy)?Sorry but you have to be practical here, two small kids is heavy duty and yes, your life kind of goes on hold for a few years and practicality has totake precedence over wishful thinking.

You have a lot of years ahead of you to get a car like this.Believe me.

miamee

Is it a car that mammy will be happy and comfortable to drive on days/weekends when you are with the two kids and she is heading off somewhere?

Neyite

fishy_fishy wrote: »

So car of your dreams comes along, you already have a family car, and the response here is "no no Andrew, you're a father now. No more fun for you." And then you're mocked for even liking it in the first place. Smells very Irish.

No, he's saying that the 2 seater will be the family car. He'll be trading in the actual family car for this one. The family has four people in it. The logistics won't work. Not with kids in the mix.



The time to get a two-seater was either before children, or wait until he's enough funds to get it as well as a car that holds the entire family. It's all very well to suggest walking or cycling but that is very dependent on your work circumstances and locality.

jlm29

I understood that he’s going to have two kids, and only one practical car. Ie, they will have two cars, but only one can accommodate the lot of them

Neyite

Maybe the OP can clarify that as I suspect the feedback he will get depends a lot on that.

fishy_fishy

Neyite wrote: »

fishy_fishy wrote: »

So car of your dreams comes along, you already have a family car, and the response here is "no no Andrew, you're a father now. No more fun for you." And then you're mocked for even liking it in the first place. Smells very Irish.

No, he's saying that the 2 seater will be the family car. He'll be trading in the actual family car for this one. The family has four people in it. The logistics won't work. Not with kids in the mix.



The time to get a two-seater was either before children, or wait until he's enough funds to get it as well as a car that holds the entire family. It's all very well to suggest walking or cycling but that is very dependent on your work circumstances and locality.

Pretty certain he's talking about the 2 seater being his car and his wife keeps the "family" car that will fit both kids in the back. Otherwise he'd be concerned about "what if we need to bring the kids anywhere" and not "what if we need to bring the kids to two different places at the same time".

Most people need A family car, and plenty of people on here saying they get along fine with just 1 car. OP will have a family car AND a 2 seater. Whoever has the kids with them takes the family car. Not seeing any reason why they both need family cars living in Dublin.

Bandana boy

Go for it
you only live once
you will find a way to manage when you need the kids to go in different directions

hi_im_fil

What car is it? If you’ve got a normal car already and the 2 seater will be an additional car then go for it. If it doesn’t work out just sell it!

GarIT

Couples in Dublin have 2 kids and one car or even two kids and no car and manage fine. If you have one practical car, one nice car, and back it up with a leap card and and go car and you'll never have any issues any will probably only used the leap card or go car once or twice a year at most.

_Brian

If you have easy access to gocar then I’d say you will be grand owning one family car.

mirrorwall14

How does your wife feel about it? Being the one driving the only car that the kids can fit in means she’s the one who may feel under pressure for runs around and could end up leading to some resentment. It would need to be a joint decision imo. We have one and two cars and a baby on the way. Honestly it wouldn’t work with only one workable car between commutes etc in ours anyways. What happens if wife is home late and you need to collect the children etc? These are the things to think about

Chocolate fiend

We have 3 children aged from 10 down to 6 and have only ever had one car. Go for it.

Andrewf20

Rowley Birkin QC wrote: »

What kind of car is it?

It's a BMW Z4. The compromise is for about 1.5 years as our eldest can go into it forward facing when she outgrows the rear facing seat.

Andrewf20

jlm29 wrote: »

I understood that he’s going to have two kids, and only one practical car. Ie, they will have two cars, but only one can accommodate the lot of them

Yes, we have 1 family car that can take all of us plus this car potentially. I'm in love with this motor, and there's only 1 for sale of this type in the country. If i don't buy it now, I'll never get it as in 5-10 years they will be too old / non existant. Definitely a hint of mid life crisis perhaps. I have to buy a car as the nct has killed my current car recently.

We have a mobile child seat, so contingencies for the 1.5 years (see last post) are taxi for short notice situations, or to swap this car with my parents car when needed. We are within walking distances to shops, schools etc so I'm thinking / hoping the risk is reasonably low. My wife cycles / has bike rack for family car currently. Worst case, I could just sell it perhaps.

It's one of the last great engines that doesn't have a turbo and it eats me to think I may miss this oppourtunity. My wife is on the fence in this one.

catrionanic

Andrewf20 wrote: »

Rowley Birkin QC wrote: »

What kind of car is it?

It's a BMW Z4. The compromise is for about 1.5 years as our eldest can go into it forward facing when she outgrows the rear facing seat.

Plenty of z4s on the market- we have one! Not sure why you feel it is a now or never deal (in fact you can buy ours in a year or two if you want it!).

We have a second baby on the way in the autumn. The z4 is just a toy for my husband, although you can disable the passenger airbag so he has taken our toddler in it before. The z4 lives in his parents house though as we have no use for it in Dublin - instead we use our family car. Neither of us have to drive to work though. I imagine it would be more difficult if you both commute.

Andrewf20

catrionanic wrote: »

Plenty of z4s on the market- we have one! Not sure why you feel it is a now or never deal (in fact you can buy ours in a year or two if you want it!).

We have a second baby on the way in the autumn. The z4 is just a toy for my husband, although you can disable the passenger airbag so he has taken our toddler in it before. The z4 lives in his parents house though as we have no use for it in Dublin - instead we use our family car. Neither of us have to drive to work though. I imagine it would be more difficult if you both commute.

It's the hardtop version though. I've looked into a disabling the airbag and unfortunetly it can't be done in this model as the key switch to disable it is not on the car. The retro fit is no longer available either.

catrionanic

Do you both drive to and from work? What is public transport like where you live?

Think about times when being limited to one car wouls be difficult. What would you do if say one kid is in creche and gets sick - but the parent with the family car can't pick them up? Or if the family car breaks down or needs to go in for repairs? Or if one of you is taking one kids to an appointment or a party or is out for the day or whatever? Would it be an issue for the other parent and kid to be housebound?

Andrewf20

catrionanic wrote: »

Do you both drive to and from work? What is public transport like where you live?

Think about times when being limited to one car wouls be difficult. What would you do if say one kid is in creche and gets sick - but the parent with the family car can't pick them up? Or if the family car breaks down or needs to go in for repairs? Or if one of you is taking one kids to an appointment or a party or is out for the day or whatever? Would it be an issue for the other parent and kid to be housebound?

My wife cycles to work and I drive. At the moment, my wife drives to creche and leaves the car there before cycling to work in the morning. This plan will continue when sprog 2 comes along. I usually pick them up in the afternoon by walking over to the creche to pick up and collect the car outside so I can do if child sick also. If the car breaks down, we can rent one for a few days or take a loan of my parents car worst case as they rarely use it.

Big Bag of Chips

It's really your wife you need to be making the decision with, and convincing. Why is she not convinced? It sounds like you don't have a while lot of use for 1 car, so maybe she feels a second car is an unnecessary expense at the moment. I think 2 seater isn't an issue really, as you will have a car that fits you all. At the moment you have 1 car, and I'm sure if that broke down you'd manage somehow with borrowing, or renting, or taxis or whatever. So, does your wife have an issue with a second car, or is it with this particular car?

Andrewf20

Big Bag of Chips wrote: »

It's really your wife you need to be making the decision with, and convincing. Why is she not convinced? It sounds like you don't have a while lot of use for 1 car, so maybe she feels a second car is an unnecessary expense at the moment. I think 2 seater isn't an issue really, as you will have a car that fits you all. At the moment you have 1 car, and I'm sure if that broke down you'd manage somehow with borrowing, or renting, or taxis or whatever. So, does your wife have an issue with a second car, or is it with this particular car?

We definitely need a 2nd car so its mainly the flexibility of having 2 cars that can take at least 1 kid forward facing. Public transport is standard enough for Dublin. Ive chatted to 2 colleagues of mine with 3 kids and 2 cars and they say they never really needed to put the kids in the 2nd car. From chatting to them and reading here, I think the crux of the matter is how close to services we are that we use frequently and thankfully we are close (i.e. within walking distance) to schools, creche, shops, banks, pharmacies and the local GP is about 1.5km away so my gut says for 1.5 years we will be fine hopefully.

fits

We have two children who are 18 months and both drive to work. And we live in a rural area. we rarely need to use the second car with the boys intil now at least.

Big Bag of Chips

Andrewf20 wrote: »

We definitely need a 2nd car ....

But if the car is parked outside the creche all day, and you can walk to collect it if needed, then why do you definitely need a 2nd car? What is your wife's objection?

There is a difference between needing something, and wanting something. And if you want something, and can easily afford it, then that's fine. Lots of us have stuff we want, but don't necessarily need.

You seem to be trying really hard to convince us that you should buy this car, it's not us you should be convincing. Whether you buy it or not will have zero impact on our lives!

heroics

We both drive to work. Have 1 kid and 1 on the way. Wife changed hers for a bigger car already and I am looking at changing from a largish saloon to an estate. Probably different in our case as generally my wife drops son off and I collect as I start and finish earlier.

Personally I’d love a lotus Elise. Wanted one forever and looked at one before I bought my current car. Planning on having a kid the Elise just made no sense. (Still trying to convince her we need a 3rd car for weekends 😀)

appledrop

Are you mad? I'd be putting the money into making sure the family car you have is new or top spec for you needs. Then a second run around car will do that can take your kids. The time for car for two people was before you had kids. Your wife must be a saint.

Andrewf20

Big Bag of Chips wrote: »

But if the car is parked outside the creche all day, and you can walk to collect it if needed, then why do you definitely need a 2nd car? What is your wife's objection?

There is a difference between needing something, and wanting something. And if you want something, and can easily afford it, then that's fine. Lots of us have stuff we want, but don't necessarily need.

You seem to be trying really hard to convince us that you should buy this car, it's not us you should be convincing. Whether you buy it or not will have zero impact on our lives!

The creche is a 20min walk away so not ideal to push buggy and bring bicycle for cycle into town after. I also need a car for work and I work unusual hours so my wife needs a 2nd car when shes at home and im in work.

Ultimately, I am trying to gauge whether families have to split kids into 2 cars on a regular basis or not. I dont think they do in general (based on some people ive talked to) but I wanted to get a wider opinion. Tbh, if I dont get the car, its not the end of the world. But I dont want to get a 2nd car with rear seats to then find we never use them.

My wifes objection (understandably) is that for 1.5 years there is the potential that we will have constant hassle of the need to split the kids into 2 cars and we cant do it. If its the odd time, fair enough but not multiples times week. It would wreck my head too tbh. I cant imagine it being a frequent problem but maybe im wrong and her concern is valid.

In the 1980s most families had the one car and that sticks in my mind too.

Andrewf20

appledrop wrote: »

Are you mad? I'd be putting the money into making sure the family car you have is new or top spec for you needs. Then a second run around car will do that can take your kids. The time for car for two people was before you had kids. Your wife must be a saint.

The family car is a good family car already, we have no issues with it.

mirrorwall14

Andrewf20 wrote: »

The creche is a 20min walk away so not ideal to push buggy and bring bicycle for cycle into town after. I also need a car for work and I work unusual hours so my wife needs a 2nd car when shes at home and im in work.

Ultimately, I am trying to gauge whether families have to split kids into 2 cars on a regular basis or not. I dont think they do in general (based on some people ive talked to) but I wanted to get a wider opinion. Tbh, if I dont get the car, its not the end of the world. But I dont want to get a 2nd car with rear seats to then find we never use them.

My wifes objection (understandably) is that for 1.5 years there is the potential that we will have constant hassle of the need to split the kids into 2 cars and we cant do it. If its the odd time, fair enough but not multiples times week. It would wreck my head too tbh. I cant imagine it being a frequent problem but maybe im wrong and her concern is valid.

In the 1980s most families had the one car and that sticks in my mind too.

Honestly even with one child he is in and out of both cars constantly. Yes primarily mine as I do the childminder drop offs but also my husbands. It’s logistics in our case but also that both of us prefer driving our own cars. So if I’m heading to my family for the weekend he goes in mine, to the husbands? He goes in his car. If I’m doing the shopping with the three year old he comes in my car for example. If I’m going on my own I hop in my car without having to think about whether my husband will be able to leave the house or not with the three year old.

Honestly I’m with your wife here. Bringing small children and baby’s places needs planning between what you bring (changing bag, bottles, drinks, snacks, etc), considering nap times etc. Having to add planning the cars on top of that would wreck my head.

In my opinion it’s different if you are working off one car. That’s a decision made by the family and planned and worked around. The idea that there would be a car outside the door that couldn’t be used for the two children even in an emergency would crack me up

lawred2

Andrewf20 wrote: »

Hey folks,

We have a 2 year old and a 2nd baby due in December. Im thinking of buying a 2 seater car (without the ability to disable the passenger airbag possibly) but we are concerned with the logistics of having 2 kids and 1 "family" car.

Do many people have this set up and is it workable or a pain? i.e. Mammy wants to go somewhere with kid A but Daddy needs go somewhere else with kid B.

Some alternative ideas I have are child seats for the bike possibly, bus or good old fashioned walking. Other ideas welcome!

We are based in Dublin btw. All feedback appreciated.:)

Would this two seater car be your second car or your first car?

Personally whether first or second I'd not be buying a two seater when you have kids. There are going to be times where both cars are needed for something with the kids.

My wife wouldn't be long knocking a two seater car out my mind anyway lol

Big Bag of Chips

It really depends on your work schedules I suppose. We have 2 cars. My husband started with a new car in 2012 and has upgraded it every 2-3 years since. First 2 cars our children were rarely in it. Because I was at home, and did all the dropping and collecting. In fact when returning the first one the salesman asked him had anyone ever even sat in the back of it!! When I went back to work, he then was doing school collections and his 'new' car is now wrecked from them climbing in and out, throwing in school bags and gear bags, dragging in hurleys, musical instruments etc!

I know your children are smaller than that, but if two parents are working, and two parents are using cars, then yes, it is very very likely that you will occasionally need to take 2 children in your car if your wife has the other car somewhere.

If you have 1 car, you tend to work around it. If you have 2 cars, you'd expect that both could be used, if required. My brother had a 4 seater classic car, and a family car. He had 3 children and eventually had to get rid of the 4 seater because it was a hindrance.

appledrop

In the 1980s usually only 1 person working so that was the big difference. Kids didn't go to creche. Also no money back then. You clearly have the money.

McTigs

3 kids, one car here.

Kids walk/cycle/scoot to school, I cycle to work, wife cycles to work ( we are lucky that these are not big distances)......the one car sits idle most of the week, we actually considered getting rid of it and just hiring one when we need it, it would probably work out cheaper after tax, insurance and loan repayments

shesty

Yeah, but you are at school going age mctigs.
Small kids,two working parents and one usable car would be a complete pain in our house.

Andrewf20

Andrewf20 wrote: »

Go Car might be an option - il look into that also - cheers.

The idea of not having this car breaks my heart and this car is very rare in Ireland. No 4 seater compares to this car im afraid. If I dont get it now, ill never get it. : (

You don't want to hear this but, it's time to grow up. You made the decision to have not one but two kids. They should be the priority, not your toys.

Don't want to be harsh, so am sorry if it comes across as such.

Hannibal_Smith

Andrewf20 wrote: »

Go Car might be an option - il look into that also - cheers.

The idea of not having this car breaks my heart and this car is very rare in Ireland. No 4 seater compares to this car im afraid. If I dont get it now, ill never get it. : (

You only live once....if you really want the car go for it. You buy it in the knowledge that it'll be a headwreck at times. Plenty of times you'll have to be a sensible parent, you may as well have some fun!

uck51js9zml2yt

Andrewf20 wrote: »

The creche is a 20min walk away so not ideal to push buggy and bring bicycle for cycle into town after. I also need a car for work and I work unusual hours so my wife needs a 2nd car when shes at home and im in work.

Ultimately, I am trying to gauge whether families have to split kids into 2 cars on a regular basis or not. I dont think they do in general (based on some people ive talked to) but I wanted to get a wider opinion. Tbh, if I dont get the car, its not the end of the world. But I dont want to get a 2nd car with rear seats to then find we never use them.

Thats were you're going wrong!!!