I have not owned a Dodge Caravan, but I have friends who did, and I've owned simlar engines in the sedans. First off, you didn't say how many miles were on your vehicle, but there is a maintence schedule for the oxygen sensors. These get replaced about every 80,000 miles. At that point, the 'required maintance' light will turn on. There is a danger of overheating the catalytic convertor if the oxygen sensors are being ignored by the engine mamagement system. The fuel mix may be nominal or on the rich side (default starting conditions) and if one is stalled in traffic for a lengthy period or the engine left runing while parked, the catalytic convertor may overheat. The engine management system will ignore the oxygen sensors if it receives signals outside an acceptable range. I haven't heard about wiring problems. The main gripe I've seen are transmissions. Because of the built-in automatic adjustment (done by timing the application and release of clutches)the user doesn't get a hint that his transmission is failing until near the fateful day. Its only a few more miles after the first 'glitch' is felt to complete outage. In one case, my neighbor's transmission had an early failure at 36,000 miles. A fastener inside the tranny broke. Later transmissions seem to be better.

If you have an automatic transmission, you may be experiencing problems with the lock-up clutch. A sensor controls the voltage to the lock-up clutch and this is a common failure with GM lock-up clutches. The fix is simple - replace the sensor. To diagnose, temporarily disable the clutch by unpluging the lead to it. If this is the problem, it disappears when unpluged and re-appears when reconnected. The sensor is failing. Within the range of 45 to 55 mph, the lockup feature may be disengaging and engaging when the throttle position is suddently changed by a significant amount and will cause a small lurch. This is normal, however, lurching increases when the torque control part of the engine mount is worn. It may need replacing.

First, I don't live on my PC, I was away all weekend. So your not getting a run around. Second, you have NOT described the problem sufficiently for me to know whats wrong with your car. One thing is certain though, I do NOT suspect the torque convertor (a transaxle component) based on the pieces of information that you have provided. Now that is not a diagnosis that is saying it's not bad, I'll repeat, I don't suspect it's the problem. But there is a definate problem with getting you to verbalize in a way that allows me to "feel" what your car is doing without me having first hand experience driving it while it's acting up. You cannot blame a shop, a technician, or someone on this board, be they a technician or not for your failure to be able to communicate to us(me) exactly what your car is doing. FWIW, it's quite likely the problem with your car is engine control related. But before I type out a series of questions in order to attempt to draw from you what I would need to know in order to even try and figure out whats going on, you have to agree to answer them in a yes, or no fashion. Plus then add details as you feel necessary, without trying to decide in advance what you think the problem with the car is.

My children are older now, not babies or children, but I had the same ideas as you when they were little - limited tv, limits on sugary snacks and sweet drinks, breast feeding, etc. And, like you, my mom laughed or ignored some of them. Fast forward 20 years later, my mom appreciates the way I raised my children and she understands now why I made the choices I did. I am very, very glad I had the rules I did when my kids were young - I was right and I'm glad I held my ground. None of your choices sound extreme to me - limiting sugary snacks, limiting t.v., wanting a schedule and more time just the 3 of you, no trip to the beach at 4 months old - those are all reasonable choices. Cheri is right, your parenting ideas will change as your daughter grows. And she is right, your parents have things to contribute as grandparents. But that doesn't mean that you have to raise your children according to your parents' priorities and wishes. However, keep in mind a few things - whenever you talk about the way you want to raise your kids differently - many grandparents would see that as a criticism of how they raised you, their own child. Before you phrase things, think about how they might come across to your parents as implying that their methods were lacking. Also, be sure and make it a point to mention to your parents what they did right. My mom and I have different ideas about television, putting coke in baby bottles, etc., but my mom is also the person who taught me that when things look hopeless you pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and work as hard as you can to change things. That is a gift she gave me infinitely more precious than riches or even education. Be sure and tell your parents what things they taught you that you will pass on to your children. Another suggestion that worked for us is that I told my mom that my husband wanted those rules. My mom simply ignored my rules if they were my rules, but she thinks my husband hung the moon and should have whatever he wants, so she (sometimes) listened if she thought it was my husband's wish. She did whatever she dang well pleased if it was just something I wanted. If my mom was particularly stubborn, my husband told her himself that he wanted it that way. Another thing that works well (with grandparents and babies) is to redirect. If your mom wants to take the baby somewhere, tell her no, now is not a good time, but this weekend would be great, how about then. Or if she wants to give the baby icing, tell her no, but baby loves sweet potatoes, why don't you give her that. Grandparents love to see "firsts" - first bite of chocolate, first time at the beach. Tell your parents, no, you can't take her to the beach this year, but when she's 2 you can take her and be there for her first time. You are being more than reasonable to limit tv, unhealthy snacks, limit visits to less frequently than daily or every other day, and set the expectation of higher education for your children early. Your mother is right, your daughter will express preferences of her own one day in education, food, hobbies, etc. That is still no reason not to set your standards high. If you are raising your daughter significantly different than the way you were raised, it will take years for your parents to change their minds. But when they see your daughter as a teenager, healthy and maintaining a healthy weight, doing well in school, winning awards and doing whatever extracurriculars (sports, violin, girl scouts, dance, whatever rings her bell), trust me, your parents will tell you you did your job well. I want to address something else cheri mentioned - her daughter's desire to use organic food, use cloth diapers, read to her children daily (I heartily endorse the part about reading to your children daily, by the way). The drive to be the best mom she could possibly be was strong in cheri's daughter, and even if her daughter changed her ways, she still probably has a strong drive to do her best. That drive should be honored, respected, and as much as reasonable should be indulged by grandparents. The realities of life will knock some practicality into the heads of young parents - let them have their dreams and give it their best shot. When my oldest was a baby my mother-in-law told me this, "In every young mother's life there comes a time when she has to look at her mother and say, 'Mother, you raised your kids the way you wanted, now it's my turn to raise my kids the way I want'." Be loving, be kind, include and affirm the grandparents, and let the grandparents have their way when it isn't important to you. But stand your ground with kindness on the things that matter. Everything you're asking for is reasonable and healthy for your child.