A mom often spends her days tripping over action figures, soothing her infant's emerging teeth and defusing the tantrums of a toddler. Exhaustion sets in, and, with a little luck, she may get a few hours of uninterrupted sleep. to bless her tired bones. The fast-paced life of a mother can run down even the most fit and healthy mom if she doesn't make time for herself. Ramani Durvasula, a Los Angeles-based family therapist and mother, notes that mothering has turned into a competitive sport in our society. The result is burnout and "suboptimal" mothering.