School runs, visits to assisted living facilities, work commutes, road trips, camping – family cars have to do a lot and so you want to pick one that can do a lot. 

How? Here are 3 things to look out for. 

Clever Seat Configurations

Families do tend to grow, and at the very least more people means more friends, colleagues, acquaintances, etc. And so being able to get creative with seat configurations is something you genuinely want to consider. You want to be able to adapt your car to different situations, be it creating more passenger space or accommodating larger cargo.

Really, it’s a good thing plenty of cars are designed to roll out with innovative features like sliding second-row seats. These aren’t just for show; they strike a real balance between keeping passengers comfortable and easy access to the third row. And let’s not forget models with fold-flat or removable seats – these can transform your car’s interior based on what you genuinely need at any given moment.

Picture this: you’re picking up friends for a family outing. Thanks to those sliding second-row seats, adjusting for more space is a breeze. No cramped legroom, just a smooth entry and exit for everyone.

Hidden Storage Gems

Don’t underestimate the value of hidden storage solutions – it’s something you really want to pay attention to if you’re car shopping. You want to be able to discreetly stash smaller items securely and within easy reach without hogging visible space so that your interior is clutter-free and organized. 

Check out cars that boast under-floor storage compartments or cleverly designed door pockets for those extra storage spaces that mean a neat interior isn’t impossible. 

Say you’re loading up groceries, but hate it when items are rolling around in the trunk. That under-floor storage? It lets you neatly tuck away smaller items, preventing any shifting during the drive. Result? A clean, organized cargo area.

Tech Harmony 

In-car entertainment and connectivity features aren’t just extras you can do without. Really, you want to genuinely explore them if the car is going to cater to the diverse tech preferences of your family members.

When you’re scoping out cars, pay attention to user-friendly interfaces, compatibility with various devices, and entertainment options. Features like multiple USB ports, a rear-seat entertainment system, and seamless smartphone integration equal a tech experience that keeps everyone on board happy.

Think of a family road trip where each passenger, from the little ones to the grown-ups, wants to use their devices or dive into specific content. A car with a solid entertainment system, multiple USB ports, and easy connectivity options is how everyone can set up their preferred tech, making the journey a joy for all.

If you know what to prioritize, there’s no reason why a family car can’t benefit the whole family. Consider these tips. 

There may come a time in your life where you find yourself consistently not getting the sleep that you’re used to. This could be a result of having a new baby, feeling some anxiety in your life, moving into a new place or assisted living facility, or something else entirely. But when this happens and you still have to function during the day, it can be hard to keep it together. Luckily, there are a few things that you can try to get your sleep and your life back on track.

To help you see how this can be done, here are three things to do when you’ve consistently not gotten enough sleep at night. 

Focus On Just Surviving

The first thing that you’ll want to do during the day after you’ve had a few nights of not getting enough sleep is to focus all of your energy on just surviving. This is going to be hard enough, so putting more on your plate when you can push those things off until a later time isn’t a good idea.

The simpler you can make your days when you’re running on little sleep, the better off you’ll be. If you have things that you can postpone, do so. And if there are big decisions or choices that you’re having to make, try to push those things off until you have more energy to deal with those things. 

Fuel Your Body Correctly

While most people turn to things like caffeine when they’ve had a bad night’s sleep, there are better things to fuel your body with to help ensure that you can stay away throughout the day and get yourself to actually fall asleep when night time comes. 

Some of the best things that you can do to fuel your body when you’re tired is to eat healthy foods and drink enough water. Additionally, try not to skip meals or supplement healthy meals with meals that you’re just eating out of convenience, as they can often wreak havoc with your blood sugar and cause you to crash even more. 

Try To Rest Normally The Next Day

Although you might be tempted to just sleep all throughout the day whenever you can catch a few spare moments, if you don’t want to get stuck in a vicious cycle of not getting enough sleep at night, you’ll need to try to rest as normally as possible the next day.

If you feel that you need a nap, try not to take more than a 20 minute power nap. And when it’s time to go to bed, make sure you set yourself up for success by not having caffeine too soon and creating a relaxing place to get some quality sleep. 

If you’ve had a few days nights of sleep in a row, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you find some ways to work through this and get things back to normal.