Who is your favourite fictional mother figure?

[DontTellMama]

Something I’ve been working on in therapy for a long time is what makes a good (enough) mother. And I’ve realised I don’t have any real life role models of good mothers (aunts and uncles on one side of the family are childless, and on the other side are estranged), so I’m looking to fiction for some help!

Who would you say is the best/your favourite fictional mother figure?

Yes 100%. Mick is probably my favourite fictional dad too. I love how accepting she is of Smithy who really did have a hard time. I love the arc of his character, I think the reason he matured so well was because of her and Micks support and acceptance.

Ah, oops, OK. I nominate Mrs Byers then!

Hester Prynne! Refused to let shame define her and endured relentless societal judgement with dignity, independence and resilience. Rather than begging for forgiveness or conforming to the expectations of the rigid Puritan society around her, she built a life on her own terms, raised her daughter with fierce devotion, and slowly earned respect through compassion, intelligence and quiet strength.

One of my favourite literary examples of a woman who refused to be broken by society's expectations.

Young Sheldon's mum is pretty good! Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax are both motherly but in very different ways

I was thinking of her too
X

Oh god don’t 🥺

Marmee is good, but read the next books in the series and Jo and her husband runs school for boys and she is fabulous. Little Men is one of these. For an example of a good mum with boundaries she is still an example for modern day parents.
Another good example is cousin Helen in What Katy Did
I also think Ma in Room is phenomenal but may be hard to read as there is awful abuse.
i love all the Enid Blyton mums but they are good at benign neglect which isn’t so popular these days
agree with Garnie and Nana from Ballet Shoes
the woman in Lessons for a Sunday Father by Claire Calman
and the ill sons mum in John Grisham rainmaker

There are also some fabulous mums in the Witch series by Deborah Geary. It’s a lovely series that includes witches who knit and have a fabulous family structure and love their kids fiercely

and the mum in The Truth about Melody Browne by Lisa Jewell

Totally agree

I think Sue Johnson’s characters in both Royle Family and Brookside would be my idea of a good fictional mam

Just watched the latest Spider-Man film so would have to say Aunt May!

Oh I love Lady Montdore, she's wonderful! But the only other mother I actually like is The Bolter, Fanny's mother.

@IsadoraQuagmire The Bolter was brilliant. Her final lines in The Pursuit of Love are amazing and tear-jerking.

Adam's missus Eve

Mrs Quimby - very patient and caring with Ramona!

A combination of Gwen and Pamela in Gavin and Stacey.

Definitely Taylor Greer. She’s dropped right in it and becomes an excellent mother. Taylor’s own mother is also excellent. Kingsolver’s books have many strong mother figures.

If he hadn't been such a shitty husband he wouldn't have had to go to great lengths to see his children because Miranda wouldn't have divorced him. Robin Williams gives a great performance and there are some very funny moments in the film, but watching as an adult I just find it so creepy and manipulative. Miranda is the one keeping a roof over their heads and food on the table while he gets fired for shooting his mouth off - I think she's the better parent.

I saw a post here a while back, can't even remember the specific context but it was about how mothers evolve from being team Daniel as a kid and team Miranda as a mother. It made me laugh as I related so much. I watched again a few years ago with my kids and saw it in different eyes. A good Dad shows respect for the house and the other parent. It's not just about playing. All that said he was treated very harshly before he deceived everyone. He was a desperate man

Another vote for Molly Weasley. She had so many children but was only too happy too welcome another who didn't have a mother and treat him like her own. She is fierce in the battle of Hogwarts and fights for all her children even after losing one.

@Dontlletmedownbruce I was definitely team Daniel as a kid although even then as an eldest daughter I worried a lot about how they would clean up after the birthday party! I dislike how he never even acknowledges Miranda's point of view or how much she does, he just moans about how she used to be fun If I remember correctly when they first split up and she gets custody, he has three months to show he can hold down a job and a flat and then the arrangement will be reconsidered but he can't even wait that short time before steamrollering back into their lives. And he nearly kills Stu, whose only crime is to find Miranda attractive and enjoy spending time with her and her kids!

Mary poppins

Apologies if she showed up earlier, but Taggie in the Jilly Cooper Rutshire Chronicles. Such a great stepmother across several books.

Depends what stage of life you are in maybe? I’m surprised how many people are voting for Nanny Ogg, as she is a terrible terrible Mother in Law and none of her sons seem to stand up for their wives at all - so don’t think she brought them up properly in that respect! Similarly agree that Molly Weasley seems to be a better mother to Harry than to her own children.

I agree with Charlotte from Charlotte’s web but can’t think of many excellent fictional ones - definitely agree with whoever said it often tends to stifle plot development.

Oh no, too close to my late mil

I think Miss Honey in Matilda. Not just lovely to Matilda, but to all her class

Bina Roklov from “Nobody Wants This”. Oh and Roz Focker from “Meet the Fockers”.

I am not Jewish - but clearly have a deep admiration for the Jewish matriarch figure!