Three Car Family

We did it, we bought another car. We went over our budget because used cars are the newest rage and the good cars are in limited supply, but we found one at a dealership near our home that received the seal of approval from our friend that we call "The Car Doctor". We are now a three car family.

We now will walk the fine line of not calling this car Aly's car and at the same time giving her full access to it. Our concern is that Ashleigh had paid for most of her car and we chipped in eleven years ago. Now we are one of those families that hands their daughter a car just because, with no investment on her part. The trouble is that Aly has been sick for a year. Her attempt at working last fall actually made her feel worse and we had to yank her out of the working loop. Mean while I was finding myself more and more carless as my daughter heals and becomes more active. I want my car and my freedom back, so something had to be done.

The ground rules have not been put in place yet, but odds are good that if we call this vehicle "Aly's car" Avery would have days when she would not be "allowed" to ride in it and since Mark and I are paying the gas, upkeep and insurance it is more our car than anyone else's, so for now this will be another family car. I think once we sit down and talk there will be grade quota's that will need to be met and respect for sibling and parent quotas as well. This could potentially be more expensive and difficult then actually handing over cash to us.

Reality is that we cannot maintain the same parenting style for every one of our children, but I am always on high alert for the fair factor. Fair is not always an option, you just have to do the best you can with your family. My hope is that once we pick up the car we can become a cohesive three car family unit. Odds are good there will be a bump or two in the road (figuratively of course), but over all this new venture will be a good thing for the whole family.

(Pictures to follow once we pick up the car!)