Does This Minivan Make My Glam Look Gone? – Mom Life and a Death Knell to My Swag?
Listen people, this is a hard one to admit so let’s get right to it.
I drove a minivan and I liked it.
Your Honor, Exhibit A: Le Dodge Grand Caravan
This is probably not the first blog post you’ve ever read of some newish mom lamenting the perceived demise of her youth and fashionableness (is that even a word?*), and trust me it’s not gonna be the last you read either. Most people I know see minivans as a VIP pass directly into Momville where you check your cool points at the gate never to be returned again as long as you both** shall live.
It doesn’t help that I’m turning 40 in a month so I’m probably legit in the middle of a full-blown mid-life crisis at this point and this CLEARLY is not helping!
A little back story would be great huh?
My family rented a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan for a Spring Break road trip from MO to NC. I drove the van around while in NC with my just my son and me on several occasions. When my husband first pulled around the corner at the rental place my sister-in-law said I made a face that looked something like this >> 
<<. My first thought: “THAT is what he picked? It looks like a delivery van!” Like many people sliding out of their youth (I think 40 pretty much qualifies for coasting into solid adulthood), I’ve lived a pretty “minivan-averse” existence heavy on the judgment of those who choose to drive them. “How can they do it?” I thought. “They must not care about style!” I judged. But now (sort of like comfortable shoes) I can no longer cast a critical gaze on minvaners (is that even a word?***) because CLEARLY they make better decisions than I do. *insert thug tears here* 😭
Y’all … this car drove 3 adults, 1 teenager and 2 children in car seats from MO to NC and back no problem. Complete with Zion’s wheelchair, his Scooot, all our luggage, a small cooler, a VitaMix (#becausesmoothies), snacks and alladat (yes alladat).
To make matters worse, we didn’t have to return it until the night after we got back from our trip so I drove the van to and from school and the drop-off/pick-up line situation was REVOLUTIONARY compared to what I do now!
That my friends is AN ENTIRE PEDIATRIC WHEELCHAIR FULLY ASSEMBLED just-a-sitting in the back of the van like 
!! WHAT IS MY LIFE?!! *insert more thug tears * 😭 Do you guys know what I have to do now? This is what I do people. Basically, I disassemble and re-assemble his wheelchair twice a day minimum to get him to school because our hatchback decided to stop driving on a consistent basis. *how rude*
Back to George (that’s what I named the rental van after we returned him *sniff* 
) … the automatic side sliding doors that made getting my son … who cannot walk … in and out of the car SO BLASTED EASY! The clearance for my head while buckling him into his car seat (I’m 6’1″ tall folks, my back hurts dropping it low every day to swing a 40 lb kid into a sedan). The convertible 3rd row so his wheelchair fit FULLY ASSEMBLED! The ridiculous number of cup holders, compartments and USB ports! The actual electrical outlet! I even grabbed some groceries and they fit neatly in the little “abyss” in the back perfectly (please note: “abyss” is not the official name). It was jam packed for our road trip and actually might be too much room for my regular life and just the 3 of us. But you know what, I didn’t want to give it back!!!
Exhibit B (video – press play):
A video posted by 👑 Roshini Cope 💋 (@glamazini) on
This is not a review, this is a cry for help.
The following day I drove my son to school in our sedan, disassembled and reassembled his wheelchair, and all ’bout had a nervous breakdown in the school parking lot! Ok not really but really. I want George back!! *thug tears people tears of thug* 😭😭 THEN I get to talking to folks online and hear the Kia Sedona needs to be on my list. I get forwarded this review by The Crunchy Mommy, dig around and find the clips below in the middle of one of my recent vlogs (video – press play):
and now I’m going to test drive minivans this weekend. THEY GOT ME Y’ALL!! 😭
Well not entirely, I’m not 100% sold just yet and will be test driving a couple 3rd-row SUVs as well, but I’m closer to minivan Momville than I’d ever thought possible. What is happening? Who am I? Where is Glamazini? Should I change my name to Famazini? Huh? Huh? Should I?!! 😭
Stay tuned for more in my car search saga to see what we eventually end up getting. Something’s gotta give soon, my current situation is not situated.
What to you think about minivans? Let me know in the comments below!
*Why yes it is.
**You and the minivan.
***No, no it is not.
Roshini Cope
Roshini Cope, aka Glamazini, is a certified life coach and special needs mom who infuses wisdom with wit to guide Black and West Indian women on their journey of healing and transformation. She is a content creator that resonates deeply with women seeking meaningful change in their lives. Her down-to-earth approach to lifestyle enhancement makes personal growth feel accessible, inspiring, and fun. Surrounded by pineapples – her chosen symbol of joy – she guides her audience to create the life they truly desire, one heartfelt laugh at a time. Work with Roshini
