Mom guilt is one of those things that every mother deals with at some point. It's that little voice in the back of your head that tells you you're not doing enough, that you're screwing up, or that you're not cut out for this whole motherhood gig. It's the shoulds and the supposed to's that are clanking around in your head as you try to make it through the day.

Guilt is a normal part of motherhood, but it can also be destructive. When mom guilt is allowed to take over, it can lead to some pretty harsh consequences, like substance use, thoughts of harm to self or others, anxiety, and depression. 

Part of the problem is that we live in a society that idealizes motherhood. There are images of perfect moms everywhere we look, and it's easy to compare ourselves to them and come up short. But the truth is, there is no such thing as a perfect mom. We're all just doing the best we can with the resources we have.

If you're struggling with mom guilt, the first step is to identify the...