9 TV moms we wish were our own (but only sometimes)

When we’re in need of comfort, advice, and inspiration, we often turn to those bastions of compassion who have stood the test of time – TV moms. They’ve been our role models, confidants, and entertainment for decades.

That’s why we went looking for the best TV moms of all time. We checked out what people think on Reddit and other forums, as well as strolling through Rotten Tomatoes posts, and this is what we found.

These are moms who were main characters, provided a positive role model, were highly relatable, had a sense of humor and showed a strong bond with her children. These TV moms are the cream of the crop.

Let’s count down the top nine TV moms of all time.

In “Leave It to Beaver,” June Cleaver, played by Barbara Billingsley, epitomizes the classic 1950s housewife. And she throws a mean party, too. June never loses her grace and composure, always decked out in pumps and her trademark pearl necklace, even while gardening.

Where she really shines is her calm demeanor and level head. No matter what the rambunctious kids around her bring her, she keeps her cool. June is almost intimidating in her coolness, but it’s a trait worth admiring.

Played by Phylicia Rashad, Clair Huxtable is definitely the law around her home in “The Cosby Show.” This mother of five lays down the rules when she has to, but she’s also a hardworking career woman with strong feminist principles.

These high standards and commitment to fairness make her one of the most beloved TV moms of all time. And she’s not without a joke or two as well. Clair can be shockingly funny when she chooses to be. She’s had a profound effect on not just her TV family, but the real world as well.

Any woman who can put up with Homer Simpson probably deserves a medal, but Marge Simpson does it with grace, humor and wit. Voiced by Julie Kavner, this iconic TV mom not only has a distinctive look, but also a grounding personality that often holds the whole wacky show together.

Marge is really doing the heavy lifting in this family. With all the antics going on around her, she is often the one stabilizing force in the family. She also understands Bart even when he’s at his most mischievous, displaying the true depth of a mother’s unconditional love.

Tami Taylor from “Friday Night Lights,” played by Connie Britton, may be the most realistic TV mom on this list. The wife of the high school football coach, she’s also a guidance counselor at the local high school. This means a lot of characters come to her when they need help, advice and a sympathetic ear.

Listening to all the woes of high school students is no easy task, but Tami handles it with composure and compassion. This makes her a maternal figure to nearly the whole high school. Imagine having that many kids thinking of you as their mom. Yet Tami doesn’t even flinch, and for that, we commend her.

“The Brady Bunch” features a rowdy and ever-shifting family dynamic, yet Carol Brady, played by Florence Henderson, steps into the role of “mom” for this motley bunch with incredible poise. She is mom not just to her own daughters, but also to the three sons she gains through her marriage to Mike Brady. Talk about a big family.

Having six kids – many of them teenagers – sounds pretty overwhelming to us. Yet Carol manages to be there with life advice and stern but sweet guidance whenever the kids are in need. She even gets a job on top of all this in some of the sequels to the show. That’s a lot to juggle!

Lorelai Gilmore from “Gilmore Girls,” played by Lauren Graham, is the cool mom we all wished we had. Her wit and sarcasm shine through to make her a relatable parental figure. This helps while she tries to raise her daughter Rory all on her own and teach her to be a strong and independent woman like her.

No TV mom is quicker with a quip or snappy comeback than Lorelai. To be honest, sometimes we’re a little jealous of the fun she and Rory get up to. Sure, she can be embarrassing at times, but what parent hasn’t embarrassed their teenager at some point?

Claire Dunphy from “Modern Family,” played by Julie Bowen, is a working mom who manages to balance her career and family life. This requires a tough mind and strong organizational skills, but that’s where Claire shines. She knows how to get stuff done no matter what tangled mess she finds herself in.

Claire is the kind of mom who will do anything for her family, even if it means embarrassing herself in the process. Her organizational skills can get out of hand at times, resulting in some micromanaging tendencies, but we’ll forgive her considering the burden she’s bearing for the family.

Being a mother not hard enough for you? How about being a doctor on top of that?

Rainbow Johnson from “Black-ish” is an anesthesiologist as well as a mother of four. Played by Tracee Ellis Ross, Rainbow isn’t afraid to stand her ground when she believes in something, even pushing back against Dre’s more firm parenting style at times.

She can be a perfectionist, and that means she holds herself and those around her to high standards. But she also speaks multiple languages, pushes those around her to be their best, and provides the love and nurturing only a mother can.

Rebecca Pearson from “This Is Us,” played by Mandy Moore, has been through a lot, and it’s made her stronger. She is a wife, a mother of three, and a strong, resilient woman who puts her family first.

Rebecca is the kind of mom who will do anything for her children, even if it means sacrificing her own happiness. She is the mom we all wished we had, but only sometimes. Her emotional struggles and occasional overbearing tendencies could be a bit difficult to handle at times, even if they come from a place of love.

There were so many TV moms who almost made the list, including:

• Elyse Keaton from “Family Ties”
• Jill Taylor from “Home Improvement”
• Diane Johnson from “Cheers”

All of these moms are strong, independent, and have a great sense of humor. Maybe they make the list for you instead of one of our choices above.

This article was produced and syndicated by MediaFeed.