Minivans, station wagons—those kinds of vechicles are parents' issues for middle-aged people, right? They are the folks I pity when I pass them in my two-door, manual shift, sun-roofed coupe. Yet after a few months of bending and stretching to strap a child safety seat into the back of that coupe, those huge sliding doors on the average minivan look like pretty good family ideas.
Even better, vans and wagons help travel for babies. They can carry all the cribs, carriers, diapers, wipes, toys, tapes, books and snacks that keep the newest family member happy while traveling. It seems that even the shortest trip to the mall involves a mountain of baby-sized baggage. And since we never take our reluctant traveler out of her seat when the car is moving, shifting into the back seat of a van to plug in a pacifier is a whole lot easier than leaning over the high-backed seats of a compact car.
Still, don’t be fooled the next time a red light stops you beside a slightly beat-up minivan. Inside its driver, beats the heart of a former speed demon. For now, though, that heart belongs to the precious passenger asleep in the back seat.