What makes a smart parent?

Recently I joined The Station Wagon Forum in order to stay up-to-date on the latest trends of those cutting edge wagon drivers like myself.  I found myself spending time late at night reading up on the history of the wagon and perusing the thousands of photos of other member’s wagon whips.   Some of these cars have been taken care of very well.  Others are on the brink of becoming a rat rod. 

In one of the many galleries I came across this gem of an image.  It is an article from a magazine about Wagon Life and ways to make it more comfortable for the "kiddies."

At first glance I thought, WOW!  this is nuts!  Who in their right mind would just stand a kid up in the front seat like that.  Then I flashed back to the Caprice my dad owned and being excited when I could stand up to see out the window.  It was best in the summer because I didn’t have to sit on the vinyl seats that stuck to my legs.  I also cannot remember EVER sitting in the back seat of the car.  I guess that was for styrofoam coolers form the U-To Tum and Big Boy Burger wrappers. 

Its amazing how we have grown into such a "safe" society these days.  Looking back at the things we used to do makes me wonder how we ever survived in the first place.  If it wasn’t the asbestos in the tiles or the lead paint on the baby crib it was the "Safer-Seat" by Hughes Specialties. 

What really makes me think though is about the things we are doing right now that are kids will look back in thirty years and say, "Man!  remember when our parents actually DRANK Soda!?"  or something along those lines.  Who know,  I don’t know what makes a good parent but I am sure we are all screwing something up right now!