Carpool Tunnel Syndrome

Book excerpt: 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.