should i or should i not

i drive a 91 Chrysler mini van that's an embarrassment to my teens.I put a lot of work into this van and it purr rs like a katt lol.My the body is ugly i will admit but i like my van it sure beats walking.At our monthly family meeting the teens want me to trade her in and buy a car with a nicer body.I had planned to fix up my house with my tax money i never thought about buying another car 8'| I know teens have a hard enough time in school without getting teased about my (bucket)car.What would you do?

Ooh that is a difficult one Rena.  I remember when my son was a teen and I did everything I could to not embarass him as I knew how important little things were to him.  This is a big thing though, not just for you but for your teens.  I really wouldn't feel comfortable advising you what to do.

I'm sure someone will have a story that will help you.

blue

i know blue i thank you for your post.I feel the same way its soooooo hard being a teen.I have to pick them up a block away from the school 

hmmm a tough one rena lol, maybe depending what your budget is u could buy a very cheap car maybe do a trade in so u get something for your old car too, then the rest on your house that way u win both ways

but to be honest i think what materials we have in our lifetime is not what is important and people dont see that these days in this comercial world we live in, its all just about what materials we have, anyway thats just my oppinion, most important things is we live healthy and have family and friends by our sides

gl in your decission

LuckyRJ

I would tell your teens that there are other teens in other countries that have to walk 5 miles or more to get to school. But maybe I'm too harsh.

Not harsh Johnny.  Telling it like it is.

blue

we always made my mom or aunt, when we were lucky enough to get a ride, drop us off a couple of blocks away so we wouldn't be seen getting out or their cars.  Worked for us.

Plus there's some kids who don't even get the chance for education.

Rena, rena, rena... if your old car purrs like a katt you have all that you need...

Now seriously... a new car costs way more than they are worth, they are built to wear out so you need a new one when the one you have is paid off. You have a vehicle that runs like a top after all these years. You have a vehicle that I am sure you no longer have to make payments on. You have a vehicle that will get that house full of teens where they need to go. Perhaps if it is just the fact that the body is not so pretty anymore you could get a bit of body work and a paint job done on it. Lot less expensive than a new car. You could let them pick the color! (come to think of it, I could use a little body work and a paint job myself! )

As to them walking a block to the car... they say kids today don't get enough exercise so you are contributing to their good health! And by not getting a new car that will put a huge dent in your budget you can't really afford you are teaching them the real value of things and helping them to build character.

Just one katt's opinion cause I can't really tell you what you should do...

katt

thanks for all your input.I am going to do what i wanted to and thats house repair then im going to pamper myself.All my time and money thru the year is spent on the kids.Boxing lessons,gold gym,clothes, shoes christmas, bdays im very much needing a break.I think i will just stick with my purrrrring cat car with the worn body and keep it moving.Like i said it could be worse i could be walking and on the bus.

Rena, love, the hardest part of being a mom is doing something for ourselves.  We feel so much guilt.  DON'T.  You are your own individual.  Yes, we take care of our kids first, but at some point we have to take care of ourselves.  From what I can gather, you are a wonderful mother and person.  Do what makes you happy.  You deserve it.

I agree with Johnny.. thats not harsh, it's the truth.

It's not whats on the outside that counts.. it's whats inside

Have the kids relax and enjoy the ride or offer a nice walk. I bet every single one of those kids that might do the teasing would prefer a ride in any car to keep from walking if it came down to it Fix your house up and give yourself a little pampering, you're moms and you deserve it.. oh.. maybe get a nice stereo sysem put in your van.. lol

let them walk. hopefully its cold and snowy, or better yet cold and raining. see how much they like the van after a couple of days of that.