<a href="http://www.everydaytreats.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/viewer.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-4519 alignleft" alt="viewer" src="http://www.everydaytreats.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/viewer-300x300.jpeg" width="300" height="300" /></a>When I called my very good friend the other day to wish her a happy birthday, I felt like an awful person because I've been absolutely terrible about staying in touch. After wishing her the happiest of days I started to apologize for being such a horrible friend and dropping the ball, etc... when she interrupted me.

"Just tell me one thing," she asked, "how do you do it all?"

How do<em> I</em> do it all?

ME?

"You have three kids and a husband who travels and a job and you volunteer at both schools and I don't know how you do it..."

I, um, eh...

I confessed that I don't do it all, and then tried to explain, in the five minutes we had before my friend had to get off the phone, in as non-rambly and succinctly a way as possible that we can't do it all and that we need to give each other a break and what's important in life, and all this stuff in the house, let's get rid of it, and, "OK, you've got the get off the phone? I get it love you, bye!"

My point, inelegant as it was, was that we're all stressing out because there's just too much to do. And most of the pressure comes from within. And we have to give ourselves a break.

I just wish that I could have explained it better to my friend. But you know, life.

A few days after that, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1937134342/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=1937134342&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=mothisblisort-20">MINIMALIST PARENTING: Enjoy Modern Family Life More by Doing Less</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=mothisblisort-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=1937134342" width="1" height="1" border="0" />, arrived on my doorstep. It was written by two friends of mine, <a href="http://www.bostonmamas.com/">Christine Koh</a> and <a href="http://www.parenthacks.com/">Asha Dornfest</a>.*

(I realize that there are a lot of friends on this post, but what can I say? I get by with a little help from them.)

Here's the thing about Asha and Christine and their book: Reading their book is like sitting with your wisest friends and getting the simple, honest truth you need to hear ALONG with simple real-life ways to make said truth part of your life.

I loved the book. I agree with the book. I've always been a minimalist parent at heart (I suspect many of you are) but I've let distractions creep and make me lose my way.

This book is a love letter to moms and dads everywhere, with a simple message: Trust yourself.

I know you know to do this, but how? It's in the book. Seeing it in black and white makes all the difference in the world. TRUST.

Here's what I think you should do: <a href="http://www.minimalistparenting.com/mincamp/">Sign up for MinCamp</a> -- it's free and EASY. You'll get a taste for the book and the Minimalist Parenting approach, and I guarantee you'll get a sense of peace out of the deal.

<em>*Confession: I've only met Asha once, but she is the kind of woman that becomes an instant friend, such is her warmth and kindness. I feel like I've know her forever. And Christine? She's a powerhouse. I know because <a href="http://pivotboston.com/">I've worked with her</a>. And she's fun. I know because we go out for drinks on occasion. In conclusion, these ladies know what's up. Listen to them.</em>

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