Erin Kane and Kristin Brandt started out as neighbors in the Boston area, and their shared experiences as working moms led them to start the Manic Mommies podcast and website. They describe themselves as “thirty-ish moms juggling careers, children, husbands, and housework … and trying not to lose their minds!”  You can get exhausted just reading their biographies on their site, so you know that they understand what they’re talking about when they refer to themselves as “Manic Mommies”. Last year, Erin moved to Rochester, New York, but their partnership continues. Manic Mommies offers support, encouragement and advice for all mothers who need to fill numerous roles for their families.

A car is one of the most important tools for anyone trying to juggle careers and kids. As Kristin says, “They’re a basic necessity. They’re everything. Your car’s not working, everything falls apart.” Knowing the importance of cars to the Manic Mommies and their audience, Chevrolet established a relationship four years ago, including sponsoring the duo. Occasionally, Kristin or Erin will get an opportunity to drive a vehicle – like the Chevrolet Traverse – and they will then write a review covering their experience. Chevrolet is also a major sponsor of the annual “Manic Mommies Escape.”

The Manic Mommies arrive at the Dream Cruise in their Chevrolet Traverse

Chevrolet invited Erin and Kristin to come to Detroit for the Woodward Dream Cruise this summer, so that they could see first-hand the passion that people feel for the brand. The Mommies drove a Traverse on a road trip to the Motor City, and they used all the vehicle’s technologies to get them to their destination. Kristin owns a Chevrolet Equinox, so she felt comfortable in the Traverse, and served as Erin’s co-pilot on the drive from Rochester to the Detroit area. Kristin said, “I knew where everything was, and how we could use all the different features.” Among other features, they used OnStar navigation to provide directions, and the Bluetooth® phone feature to talk hands-free while they were on the road.

They arrived at the Dream Cruise route on a Thursday, just in time to ride in the Chevrolet Parade, which celebrated the brand’s 100^th anniversary. That parade started with flags being waved by NASCAR stars (and Chevrolet Volt owners) Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. Erin rode in a Volt during the parade, while Kristin was in the new Chevrolet Sonic with Orion Assembly Plant Manager Alicia Boler-Davis and Chevrolet Small Cars Marketing Director Margaret Brooks.

Kristin and Erin check out some classic Chevrolets at the Dream Cruise

The rest of the weekend was a whirlwind of activities, which included a tour of the OnStar Command Center, dinner with engineers and “Malibu Moms” Suzy Cody and Kara Gordon, a meet-up with local Detroit Manic Mommies, and a trip to the actual Dream Cruise event, where more than one million people showed up to see classic cars cruising on Woodward Avenue through the Detroit suburbs.

The Chevrolet relationship with the Manic Mommies continues this November, when the Manic Mommies Escape 2011 takes place in New Orleans. Chevy will provide complimentary round trip airport transfers for attendees flying into the Crescent City, and several Mommies will actually road-trip in Chevrolet vehicles to New Orleans, courtesy of Chevy. Chevrolet team members will join Erin and Kristin in several panels and podcasts. The weekend promises to be a great escape for Manic Mommies!  If you’re interested in joining Chevrolet and the Manic Mommies, there is still space available. You can register or obtain more information at Manic Mommies Escape 2011.

Chevrolet is glad to help make things a little less manic for mommies everywhere.