As a therapist (and mom myself) who specializes in maternal mental health and parenting, I often recommend Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts by Karen Kleiman, to new and expecting mothers. In fact, I have a copy in our practice waiting room and often gift it personally to my new mom friends.
It's a compassionate, easy-to-read book that speaks to a part of early motherhood many women are afraid to talk about: scary thoughts, anxiety, and self-doubt during pregnancy and the postpartum period. I love the simple illustrations which also make the book feel especially approachable and help readers absorb its message in a gentle, accessible way.
What makes the book especially helpful is its message that having intrusive or scary thoughts does not make someone a bad mother. Karen Kleiman brings these common but often shame-filled experiences into the open with honesty, warmth, and no judgment. For many readers, that alone can feel like a huge relief.
The book is also highly validating. When motherhood feels more exhausting, anxious, or overwhelming than expected, it can be easy to wonder if something is wrong. This book gently reminds women that they are not alone and that these experiences are far more common than most people realize. It normalizes experiences in motherhood that often go unspoken.
One of the book's biggest strengths is the way it explains intrusive thoughts. Kleiman makes it clear that these thoughts are often a symptom of postpartum anxiety, not a reflection of a mother's character or intentions. That distinction can be incredibly reassuring for women carrying fear and shame about what they are experiencing.
Overall, Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts is a compassionate, reassuring resource for new and expecting mothers who feel overwhelmed by anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or the emotional adjustment to parenthood. It offers an important reminder that struggling does not mean you are failing, and that help is available.
At Charlotte Therapy Associates, we support women navigating pregnancy, postpartum adjustment, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and the emotional challenges of early motherhood. Our practice offers compassionate, specialized therapy to help clients feel understood, build coping skills, and move toward healing with confidence and support. If you are seeking additional support during the perinatal period and parenting we would love to be a resource for you, call or email to schedule an appointment today.
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This article is for general information and is not a substitute for individual clinical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are in crisis, call 911 or dial 988.
