At my age, I’ve had my fair share of life experience. I’ve been married, had kids, had jobs, lost jobs, taken on mortgages and moved house. All the big life-changing moments, along with plenty of smaller ones.
But one thing that hasn’t really changed is the challenge of finding the right car when a baby comes along.
Back in the 80s, things seemed a lot simpler. Getting a baby into the back of a three-door Ford Escort? No problem. Just pop the Moses basket in the back, seat belts were often treated as optional and sometimes the baby simply sat on someone’s lap in the passenger seat.
I’m certainly not saying any of that was safe, because it wasn’t. But it was how things were done.
Looking back now, I genuinely wonder how we got away with it!
These days, we’ve got child seats, ISOFIX fittings, click-in baby carriers and even seats that swivel to make getting your little bundle of joy in and out that much easier. All fantastic developments that have made travelling with children considerably safer.
Unfortunately, they’re not quite so fantastic when you’re trying to squeeze everything into a three-door coupé or a two-door sports car.
But here’s the thing. Having a baby doesn’t automatically mean you need to buy a people carrier.
Still fancy something sporty? Prefer a smaller car? Don’t want to give up driving something you actually enjoy? That’s absolutely fine.
The real question is whether the car will work for your everyday life. Will the pram fit in the boot? Is there enough room for the baby seat? And how easy will it be to get your little one in and out?
You might love the look of a sleek four-door coupé or even a sporty estate. They’re lovely cars, but they’re still relatively low. If Mum’s recovering after giving birth, is she really going to appreciate bending down every time she needs to get the baby in and out? Or would she prefer something a little taller, where getting herself and the baby settled is that much easier?
And that’s something worth thinking about before you fall in love with a car.
After all, it’s not just about finding a car you like. It’s about finding one that works for the whole family.
At National Car Finder, we believe there’s a car for everyone. You don’t need to sacrifice your personality or your taste just because your family is growing.
Tell Jon what you’re looking for, what you can afford and what matters to you. With his industry knowledge and network of motor trade contacts, he can help find something that fits your family without making you settle for a car you don’t actually want.
Your budget. Your style. Your family.
There’s a car out there that ticks the boxes, and our job is to help you find it.
National Car Finder. We Find. You Drive.