First things first, we really do love our mums! But there are some TV mums out there we secretly wish would adopt us as their own (here’s looking at you Julie Rafter).
From the eccentric Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek, to Summer Bay’s nurturing Irene Roberts and the hilarious Kath Day-Knight, beloved mums are all over our screens.
These leading ladies are strong, smart, sassy and always know the right thing to say.
Keep reading to see which TV mothers fans would love to have in their families.
Carol Brady
The Brady Bunch – Carol Brady (Florence Henderson)
Hats off to any mum that can raise six kids. (Including three girls of her own!) Carol and her husband Mike (Robert Reed) are the epitome of blended family bliss.
Kath Day-Knight
Kath & Kim – Kath Day-Knight (Jane Turner)
Who wouldn’t want a strong and foxy mother like Kath?! Her confident demeanour and signature flamboyant style made her fabulous – even if Kim (Gina Riley) didn’t always appreciate it!
Lorelai Gilmore
Gilmore Girls– Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham)
Lorelai’s tight mother-daughter relationship with Rory (Alexis Bledel) was more akin to best friends. These two bonded over their passion for all things pop-culture – and talking really fast!
Claire Dunphy
Modern Family – Claire Dunphy (Julie Bowen)
Claire Dunphy’s parenthood method easily qualifies as ‘pedantic mother’. However there’s no denying the fact that her neuroses about her kids stems from a place of love and good intentions.
Susan Kennedy
Neighbours – Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne)
Susan Kennedy has dealt with plenty of drama over the years: infidelity, a dead husband, betrayal and even murder. Despite it all, Susan remains a devoted, good-hearted wife and mother.
Lois Wilkerson
Malcolm In The Middle – Lois Wilkerson (Jane Kaczmarek)
When it comes to disciple: it’s Lois’ way or the highway! But despite being loud, controlling and a little crazy, there’s something endearing about Malcolm’s (Frankie Muniz) domineering mum, Lois.
Nina Proudman
Offspring – Nina Proudman (Asher Keddie)
Dr Nina Proudman lost her partner Patrick (Matt LeNevez) while she was heavily pregnant. Despite her trauma, Nina soldiered on to be the best mum for her little girl, Zoe!
Irene Roberts
Home And Away – Irene Roberts (Lynne McGranger)
Irene wasn’t the greatest mother to her own children (she was struggling with alcoholism at the time). But since then Irene has fallen into caring for kids and played mother to many. If you ever run into strife in Summer Bay – Irene’s your woman!
Julie Rafter
Packed To The Rafters – Julie Rafter (Rebecca Gibney)
Julie Rafter was always there for her grown-up children as they fumbled their way into adulthood. She got to experience it all again though – giving birth to baby Ruby in her 40s!
Rebecca Gibney and Erik Thomson look back at Packed To The Rafters
Schitt’s Creek – Moira Rose (Catherine O’Hara)
While having an eccentric and zany mum like Moira Rose could get overwhelming at times, there’d certainly never be a dull moment around her.
Samantha Stephens
Bewitched – Samantha Stephens (Elizabeth Montgomery)
She seems like a normal mother and housewife – but what makes Samantha different is she’s a witch! Any wish can be granted with just a twitch of Samantha’s nose!
Shirley Partridge
The Partridge Family – Shirley Partridge (Shirley Jones)
What’s a widowed mother to do with her five musically talented kids? Form a band, obviously! Shirley was the original momager, who led her family band on tour around America.
Tami Taylor
Friday Night Lights – Tami Taylor (Connie Britton)
Tami Taylor does it all. She’s a mum to a sometimes-rebellious teenager, the school counsellor and the football coach’s wife. No matter what the problem, Tami handles it with class.
Meredith Grey
Grey’s Anatomy – Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo)
Meredith grey adopted her first baby, Zola, with husband Derek (Patrick Dempsey) before going on to have another two. After his sudden death, Meredith has raised the the kids on her own and maintained her chaotic job as a general surgeon.
Marge Simpson
The Simpsons – Marge Simpson (Voiced by Julie Kavner)
She may only exist in animation form, but Marge is one patient mother! She deserves saint status for keeping her sanity (and blue bouffant) intact – despite Homer’s antics.
