[rimbo789]

As a parent of 2 a big reason we won’t have a third is the massive step up in transportation costs. Having to get a third car seat would require us to go from our Kia to a minivan. And then there is the cost of the car seat alone.

Then there is the time cost of wrangling kids in an out of them. My toddler can easily make it 15 minutes to buckle her in just on her own. A third would mean easily 5 minutes of to get everyone buckled in and only if they are cooperative.

[oleganza]

As a father of four (2+2: third one was born after 8 years since the second one), I thought all the trouble in the world would come and go, but what'll stay is us having a second life with kids when older ones get all independent teenagers. And we are not 40 yet.

The transportation costs are annoying, but worth it.

[Someone1234]

Yep, there is like two brands that specialize in three across.

A lot of new parents haven't yet realized that a carseat is wider than the average adult. Meaning that cramped middle seat isn't getting a third seat without very careful consideration and the right vehicle.

[nostrademons]

Diono and Clek, for those who are curious.

It's coming to mainstream seats though. Graco has had the Slimfit3 LX out for a couple years now; we had 6 (3-across in a Toyota Corolla and Honda Fit) and they worked great except for the kids not really liking them. Britax has the Poplar and One4Life Slim; Chicco apparently added the Fit3x when I wasn't looking.

[kqr2]

Why didn't your kids like them?

[nostrademons]

They're narrower and hence more cramped. My kids feel like they don't give enough shoulder and arm room.

[bombcar]

The one we use is diono but there may be others, and apparently in the UK you can get 4 across - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AEwtjK-U5X0 or https://www.multimac.com - not rated for the USA, but in the USA if you have 4 kids they just issue you an APC ;)

[tohnjitor]

A Honda Odyssey can fit three car seats across in the middle row. A Jeep Wrangler 4 door can fit three car seats across in the back seat.

[yread]

Daycare is like 3000eur/month for 3+ years. You can probably lease a double decker for that money

[reeredfdfdf]

I guess that's how it is in America. If you are lucky enough to live in the Nordics, you pay far, far less, sometimes nothing at all. I don't think anywhere near 3000 a month for 3 kids is normal in most of other EU either.

So, over here car seats may be a much bigger factor than daycare costs.

[yread]

3000 eur/month/kid is in the Netherlands. You do get state support (~50% so it's still expensive) if both parents work enough hours.

[Markoff]

that's crazy, state kindergarten cost like 50-60EUR here in Czechia, private ones start around 400EUR

[yread]

Jo, holt zemský ráj to napohled

[ErroneousBosh]

It's free for over-3s in Scotland, and while I can't quite remember what it cost for a 2-year-old, I know it was around the £500/month mark.

You could put two children through the local Montessori nursery for three grand a month, but frankly the parents (and children) there are a bit odd. Nice enough, just a bit odd.

[magarnicle]

Really? I fit 3 seats in a Hyundai i30. Not a big or fuel-hungry car.