Whew! It's been a whirlwind of a week in my therapy sessions with clients. Can you guess the common thread? Mom Guilt. Just two little words, but they pack a punch, right? This relentless feeling of never being quite good enough, of always putting ourselves last, creeps into our lives more often than we'd like to admit. And, let's be honest, it's not a stranger—it's a feeling that walks right in without so much as a knock.

Often, it starts nagging at us even before our little one has even arrived, with that age-old question: "Are you going to breastfeed?" And from there, it's a slippery slope. We honestly don't have time to list all the ways mom guilt can rear its ugly head. It's relentless, it's exhausting, and it's the ultimate teller of lies.

We guilt-trip ourselves thinking we're selfish for wanting a bit of 'me time'. We convince ourselves that we're not doing the best for our kids. We worry that asking for help would burden others. Society and its outdated beliefs play a part, too, dictating what we “should” (and I despise that word) do. You feel me, right?

Mom Guilt is an expert at turning us into martyrs, making us believe that suffering is somehow more noble than fighting back against the lies our brains are telling us. No wonder we end up feeling anxious, depressed, snapping at our kids or partner, not sleeping, and feeling burned out.

But hear me out—it doesn't have to be this way!

Learning to acknowledge these thoughts and then kick them to the curb can make you a better mother, partner, friend...a better YOU. Imagine feeling good about focusing on your self-care course, going on a date with your spouse, or doing anything else that you keep putting off!

Here's the kicker—just because you're having these thoughts doesn't mean they're true! Thoughts are just that...thoughts.

So, how about some guilt-free, tried and tested ways to tell Mom Guilt where it can stick its unwanted advice. Bonus is these all double for amazing self-care course activities, too!

• Take the trip! As the old saying goes, "absence makes the heart grow fonder." A little time apart from your partner and kids can be healthy for everyone. It's like hitting the reset button. It allows you to miss each other, and that's a good thing!

• Rally your troops! Your support network is there for a reason. Use them. They want to help. Remember, your partner is part of that support network, too.

• Find yourself again. Remember her? What did she enjoy doing before the tsunami of parenthood took over? Rediscover your hobbies. I recently started reading for fun again, and let me tell you—it's amazing.

• Remember your self-worth. You're deserving of time for yourself and with your partner. And if that thought sends your anxiety into overdrive, consider discussing it with a therapist. As you get more comfortable with managing your anxiety, things will start to look up. Trust me, after your first guilt-free Girls Weekend, you won't look back.

So, there you have it, TheraMama. A guilt-free path to reclaiming your well-deserved 'me' time and nurturing the relationships that matter most to you. Remember, it's okay to hit the reset button, lean on your support network, and rediscover your individuality. Your worth extends beyond motherhood and the therapy room. Nurturing your self-care, interests and relationships outside of it can only enrich your life and, by extension, your family's life as well. So go ahead, plan that Girls Weekend, book that date night, and embrace the joyous, multifaceted woman you are. Because when mom's happy, everyone's happy, right?