I'm all about having a girlfriend tell me what to do, as in: Take those ass-fatifying pants off immediately and put the good ass jeans back on even if they do have yogurt spilled down the front! and Forget diapers already! Just buy the effing shoes., and of course, Go ahead and mack with the hot Brazilian guy who bought you drinks at the bar. You're not getting married for four whole days, sister! (Kidding, kidding). I especially love it when my girlfriends remind me to do things that are good for me when I forget how critical it is that I nurture people over three feet tall, especially that I invest a little of that healing energy in myself.

That's why I'm loving Rugrat Reprieve, a new column featured on Imperfect Parent, by Strollerderby's own CrankMama. CrankMama, known as Rachael Brownell in other corners of the blogo, is that girlfriend who not only gets the many stages of Mommy Stress but has real, practical, enticing ways to let go of it for a few minutes, an afternoon or even a blessed, blessed weekend away.

She's insightful, she's freaking hilarious and best of all, she's on our side. You go on, with yer bubble-bathing, Dave Barry-reading, sessy heel-sporting, girflriending self, CrankMama! We'll be right over.