A Lesson Learned: NEVER say never
I think one of God’s purposes in parenting is to humble us. Though we love our kids to pieces and take so much pride in them, there are also some moments where we feel about 2 inches tall because of something they’ve said or done. After all, we can’t (and shouldn’t) attempt to control every single aspect of our child’s lives. Or perhaps we’ve just evolved in our philosophy as parents. Or maybe stress just got the better of us at that moment.
A lesson I have learned (very quickly, mind you) is that as a parent, I should NEVER say never. For example, prior to becoming a parent, I boldy claimed these “nevers”:
- My child will never act like that…(ha ha…just wait!)
- I will never sit in the backseat of the car with our baby and make my husband be a chauffeur…(until the baby is screaming for 20 straight minutes and the only thing that calms him is seeing my face)
- I’ll never yell at my kids…(until I hang up the phone and realize he has colored on the walls in 8 different rooms–something I’m not proud to admit)
The list goes on and on! But the most recent of the “nevers” that have become “nows” is this:
- I’ll never own a minivan. (Don’t ask me why…I guess because I always considered it a “mom” car)
Until now! In the end, practicality (and value) won out. After literally 9 straight hours of wheeling and dealing (have I told you how much I can’t stand buying cars?), looking at tons of cars and trying to get the absolute best deal…we settled on a used Honda Odyssey! After our accident, we decided we wanted something a bit bigger.
Even though I had to swallow my pride a bit about now officially being a “soccer mom”, I think I’m gonna love it! We installed the new carseats
After all, Psalm 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” I’m hoping to gain LOTS of wisdom over the next 20 years, with the ample opportunities for humility. :)
Jenae! Congrats on the new van!! Aren't you glad thats over with?!!! Car shopping is the worst!
awesome!!! what year Honda? I also said NEVER to a van but have owned one for a couple yrs. now(ours seats 8), and I LOVE, LOVE it! :)
Yay! So glad you got the odyssey. You are going to love it. We have a pilot but I am now starting to look at the "mini van"…. One of those I will never drive a mini van. Another never I thought I would never say is we will have our cars paid off… Well, as of this wednesday I WILL get to say that both cars WILL be paid off! Whoo hoo!
recently started following your blog and enjoy so many of your ideas. i gave you an award. http://getdownandgetyourhandsdirty.wordpress.com/2011/01/16/i-won-an-award/
Yep- welcome to the Odyssey club. I'm not too proud to admit it- I LOVE OURS. Our salesman tried to make us feel better by telling us that not JUST parents were buying minivans- they are popular with retirees as well (who have to drive all their belongings from Wisconsin to Florida each season)…and sure enough, my grandparents have the same van we do. Great car!
I said I would never drive a minivan too. I have an Odyssey now and I LOVE IT! I said I would never drive a minivan for years. It took me a little to get used to parking it…but the extra room is great and I love how easy it is to get my two boys in, ages 6 and 2. You are going to love it!
i always said the same and was so reluctant to get one … but since i was pregnant with our 3rd, it was really the only practical car to get. and now i LOVE our odyssey and actually wish i had gotten it earlier! with certain features, i feel like they either did really good research with moms or a mom designed it herself. :) my husband works at a body shop and said that one of the techs our age (mid-late 20s) said he loves them too and would get one for himself (single guy) if he had the money. so that made me feel a little better! ;)
PS-i love your blog! i found it through moneysavingmom one time and have enjoyed reading all your ideas – thanks!
After my first c-section and onto the next a year later, I decided if I could have a car with automatic doors that opened–I wouldn't fight the minivan anymore.
I still have friends who make fun of me. Whatever-they have ONE child!
The other day I was at Mother's Day Out and a little boy pointed at our minivan (also an Odyssey) and said, "I want a cool car like that Mommy!"
I just laughed….
Cheers to the minivan, and making life easier!
I can sacrifice a few years of not having the car I want, after all, car seats don't really fit in a "two-seater."
Lol. We have the Odyssey too since right before the second baby was here. It is actually the most comfortable car I've ever had to drive and I've lost any pre-mommy pride about a mini-van. Hooray to trunk space and traction on snow. Your column reminded me about my pre baby days though when LATCH was not for carseats or nursing.
Hahaha! My husband was a "NEVER, NEVER, NEVER under any circumstances, regardless of kids, I absolutely HATE minivans" person for years. Guess what we just purchased from him parent's a couple weeks ago? Yep, we bought their used minivan from them and my husband now prefers driving it over our car. And of course, I enjoy teasing him for his years of declaring he'd never own one for any reason at all, which he replies that he's allowed to change his mind of he wants.