TV moms – you gotta love ’em!

Take a moment to think about your favorite shows. Whether they are feel-good sitcoms from your childhood or binge-worthy shows you stream after your kiddos go to bed, there is a reason we come to love certain programs. One of the best reasons to keep watching: characters who can teach us important lessons and relate to our lives.

That brings us to TV moms, especially those from the ’90s and early ’00s. These are women who raised us on a perfect blend of hard truths and sarcastic humor. They knew their value, were unafraid to be themselves, and (most importantly) loved their families fiercely.

Dive into our list of TV moms and the lessons they offer to us!

Good Advice From TV Moms

Here’s the best motivational and inspiring advice we’ve pulled from a few favorite TV moms!

Gilmore Girls

We cannot start this list with anyone other than dynamic duo Lorelai and Emily Gilmore. And we mean “dynamic” literally – these two had the most explosive mother-daughter relationship. Each episode is filled with catchy one-liners, but here are their best moments.

Emily is forever poised and perfect, but when her beloved granddaughter hears horrible things about the way she came into the world (out of wedlock, supposedly destroying the potential of her parents), Emily won’t stand for it. She thrives on order and rules, but she will put that aside to make sure Rory knows she is loved. Here’s Emily’s best quote:

“Rory, I know you’ve heard a lot of talk about various disappointments tonight, and I know you’ve heard a lot of talk about it in the past. But I want to make this very clear: You, young lady, and your existence have never, ever been — not even for a second — included on that list.”

Of course, Lorelai is a little trickier. She’s full of wisdom, but that wisdom always comes out in wisecracks. In this example, she’s comforting her daughter about an embarrassing incident with a boy she likes. It’s heartfelt and humourous, which fits every line Lorelai utters.

“I’m afraid once your heart is involved, it all comes out in moron.”

Reba

Reba is an icon! Music, television, and movies – she’s done it all! And she brings some sassy life lessons to everything she does. Here’s a great moment from her sitcom, Reba, that highlights her mix of motherly love and fiery humor.

Reba: [when Van gets an injury involving his spine and tail bone] It’s a mother-in-law’s job to make the best of a bad situation.
Van Montgomery: [sarcastically] I thought it was a mother-in-law’s job to make butt-jokes about her son-in-law.
Reba: We wear many hats.

Home Improvement

Jill Taylor was the best ’90s feminist. She loved and cared for her family, reentered the workforce, earned advanced degrees, and maintained a happy marriage with her crazy, clutzy husband.

Jill was the mom of three rambunctious boys, and in one episode they won’t stop fighting and wrestling. In that moment, Jill loses her cool in such a relatable way. How many of us have resorted to yelling and screaming about peace and quiet? Ironic, huh? Here’s her quote:

“Why are you so fascinated with fighting? I don’t want anybody to beat anybody up. What is wrong with you people? You make me sick. I just want you to love each other, you big bunch of jerks.”

Sabrina the Teenage Witch

This one might be a stretch, but we can count aunts as mothers, right? Especially when those aunts are your guardians – and witches! We all loved watching Sabrina get into crazy situations, equal parts normal teenage angst and magical mishaps. But her aunts Hilda and Zelda really came in clutch with the motherly love and helpful lessons.

In this quote, Sabrina is heading out and her aunts offer advice that showcase their extreme personalities. Zelda was a scientist who used reasons and logic, and Hilda was a hilarious goofball. They actually parented really well, balancing out each other in the best way. Here’s the quote:

Zelda: [Sabrina’s going on a trip] Wear seat belts! Watch the road! Avoid ice! Don’t pass on mountain roads!
Hilda: Have fun?
Zelda: That’s implied.

What Are You Watching?

How did we do? Did you grow up loving these shows? Which ones did we miss? What newer characters would you add to the list?

The next time you’re bingeing Netflix, take a moment to think about the TV moms and the example they are setting for you as a mother. Let’s all bring love and laughs to our homes like these awesome ladies have!