Carpool Tunnel Syndrome: Motherhood As Shuttle Diplomacy [Paperback]

Judy Gruen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2000

Everyone has heard of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, that painful malady from too much repetitive motion. But how many have heard of its poor cousin, CARPOOL TUNNEL SYNDROME?

The only known cure for parents driven to distraction by all their parenting duties is to read this wonderfully funny new book by Judy Gruen, a mother of four who knows there are no atheists driving over potholes when short passengers are dangling body parts out the rear window.

Carpool Tunnel Syndrome takes a clever look at life with kids: the culinary creativity needed to satisfy "discriminating" palates; the politics of carpool; and the author's attempt to provide her kids with low-maintenance pet fish, only to discover the small aquatic creatures have the average life span of a souffle.

Carpool Tunnel Syndrome may not absolve parents from 3:15 carpool duty, but it will make the drive a lot more fun. Take our advice: read two chapters and call us in the morning.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'Carpool Tunnel Syndrome'" will make you laugh with recognition. Judy Gruen has the same wacky touch as Erma Bombeck." -- Chris Erskine, columnist, Los Angeles Times

"If I had to lead the singing through all the campfire circles of child-rearing hell, I'd want Judy Gruen as my head counselor." -- Michael Rosen, editor, "Mirth of a Nation"

"While my cartoons are a quick take on typical family life, Judy Gruen picks up where I left off. I thank the good Lord she's not drawing a newspaper comic. Get into this carpool. You'll enjoy the ride." -- Bil Keane, creator, "The Family Circus"

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Heaven Ink Pub (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970073712
• ISBN-13: 978-0970073716
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,504,565 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Judy Gruen has crafted a career of writing sophisticated, relatable, clean humor that has earned her an international following.

Her most recent book, The Women's Daily Irony Supplement, earned multiple awards, including a Gold award in ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year, a Silver in the Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPYs), and a Bronze in the PMA Benjamin Franklin Award, in 2008. A quote from the book also appeared on 5 million Starbucks® cups. Her previous books are Till We Eat Again: Confessions of a Diet Dropout,and Carpool Tunnel Syndrome: Motherhood as Shuttle Diplomacy, both of which earned awards in humor from the Midwest Independent Publishing Association.

Her work has appeared on Aish.com, American Thinker, Beliefnet.com, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, Christian Science Monitor, Family Circle, Jewish Journal of Los Angeles, Ladies' Home Journal, Los Angeles Times, MommaSaid.net, and many other media outlets. In 2009, Judy won an award for her humor columns that appeared on Aish.com, from the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. She's also a member of the American Association for Therapeutic Humor and the Authors Guild.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The humorous side of motherhood, September 6, 2003

By 

Harold McFarland (Florida) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Carpool Tunnel Syndrome: Motherhood As Shuttle Diplomacy (Paperback)

When you are a parent you can be sure that there will be many important, serious, life-changing situations as you and your child grow together. On the other hand, if you can laugh at your own foibles, there are even more humorous events that occur on an almost daily basis. Changing your perspective so you can see the humor in everyday life is the forte of author Judy Gruen. In her book "Carpool Tunnel Syndrome" she demonstrates the ability to see humor in life with children and with deftly turns words and phrases on their ear to provide a truly funny look at motherhood. Any mother is sure to immediately recognize the situations she is addressing as she discusses things like "Why your sons play Cain and Abel while your daughters play house", "Travel turbulence", and stretch marks. A book that is hard to put down without picking it up again only minutes later, it is a highly recommended title for any mother looking to have a good laugh at life.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Ride!, May 7, 2003

By 

Rochelle Krich (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Carpool Tunnel Syndrome: Motherhood As Shuttle Diplomacy (Paperback)

Judy Gruen "knows best." Carpool Tunnel Syndrome is filled with wry observations and vignettes about motherhood and family life that run the gamut from humorous to poignant and strike home. Every few minutes I found myself laughing out loud and saying, "Yes!" If you want a great read, go along for the ride.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Carpool Tunnel Syndrome: Motherhood as Shuttle Diplomacy, July 9, 2001

By 

That'sMe! (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Carpool Tunnel Syndrome: Motherhood As Shuttle Diplomacy (Paperback)

Judy Gruen's book is probably one of the funniest books I have ever read. I laughed myself silly over the chapter "Why Guar Gum is Really a Vegetable", I nodded in agreement over "Stretch Marks: Every Mother's God-Given Right" and easily related to "Be It Ever So Humble". This book is for every woman who has ever experienced morning sickness, endured screaming toddlers in a supermarket and/or have fallen victim to a Stupid Parent Trick by precocious progeny. Judy has been there, done that and written a hilarious book about it. You'll love it!