16 TV Mums That Will Always Be Our Favourites

Aunt Viv's dance scene empowered an entire generation.

1. Lucy from Rugrats

Nickelodeon

Dr. Lucy showed us that women can have it all – she had four kids, piloted jets for fun, and even delivered baby Dil. Oh, and before she became a doctor she was a singer!

2. Jay from My Wife and Kids

ABC

Jay is proof that being a mum doesn’t mean you have to stop having fun – seriously, she was always laughing. Which is kind of surprising, cos if we had to put up with Michael’s shenanigans, we wouldn’t be amused. So Jay – we commend you!

3. Rochelle from Everybody Hates Chris

CBS

Okay, so Rochelle was the kind of mum you don’t want to cross, but her strict parenting was endlessly entertaining. “I don't need this. My man has two jobs” will always be iconic.

4. Beth This is Us

NBC

Whatever you think about Beth, we're sure you'll agree that she’s the one holding the Pearsons together. She doesn’t have it easy, but she supports everyone around her, and isn’t afraid to tell it as it is. Oh, and the woman can dance.

5. Maya from Girlfriends

BET

While we barely see Maya mothering in action, she’s the perfect example of a working woman who’s dedicated to her son but makes sure she finds the time to follow her dreams.

6. Dee from Moesha

UPN

Dee was a mother you looked up to. Never a hair out of place, highly educated, hard-working, and the perfect mother to her stepchildren. Even with all the trouble Moesha gave her, she treated Mo and Miles like her own. Her love knew no bounds.

7. Blanca from Pose

FX

The connection may not have been biological, but you can't deny that the bond Blanca shared with Angel, Damon, and Papi was straight up maternal. She supported them and pushed them to follow their dreams, proving that blood isn’t always thicker than water.

8. Trudy from Proud Family

Disney Channel

In a house like the Prouds, you need a calm, reasonable head, and that was Trudy Proud. Even when Oscar was running a mess, she never strayed from her strict yet soothing tone. Trudy Proud is probably one of the most relatable mothers on TV, we can't wait to see her again with the reboot.

9. Veronica from Shameless

Showtime

Good mums are hard to come by in Shameless, but Veronica’s a great one. Even before she entered motherhood she was Fiona’s second-in-command, and when Ethel came along we saw her softer side. She never stops working to give her twins everything they need, and we love her for it.

10. Ophelia from How to Get Away with Murder

ABC

Ophelia belongs in the motherhood hall of fame, in our opinion. Sure, she may not have been perfect, but she never stopped trying her best for Annalise and was there for her whenever she needed her the most.

11. Bow from Black-ish

ABC

Bow is the perfect antidote to Dre’s craziness – she’s the voice of reason in the Johnson family. Sure, she can sometimes be a little overbearing, but that’s what makes her so believable, and she’s so funny that it’s never annoying.

12. Lisa from Sister, Sister

ABC / The WB

Everyone wanted Lisa to be their mum – she was one of the funniest mums of the '90s. Sure, she was straight-talking, but she was a softie at heart. Lisa and Ray's tension was greater than Rachel and Ross' and provided us with endless entertainment.

13. Tanya from That's So Raven

Disney Channel

You know when you can tell someone just loves to be a mother? That was Tanya Baxter. Tanya gave her whole life to her family and even when she decided she wanted to go to law school, she still maintained the household and showed love to her kids. Tanya could do it all.

14. Maya from Scandal

ABC

Ok yes, Maya was a terrorist and yes, she tried to kill Olivia's father but does that make her a bad mother? No, just a bad person, we think. Maya would literally kill for Olivia, it's not something we endorse but we think that shows how deep (but dysfunctional) her love was for her daughter. Not the best example, but great to watch.

15. Aunt Viv from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

NBC

Original Aunt Viv will be talked about as one of the best TV mothers of all time for the rest of our lives. A scholar, an activist, a ballet dancer, and a mother you trusted like your own. They don't write them like Aunt Viv anymore.

16. And of course, Viola from The Fresh Prince

NBC

You can't speak about Aunt Viv and not mention her older sister Viola. It takes a lot for a mother to send her only child across the country for a better life – it's a completely selfless act. Viola did everything in her power to make sure Will had the best in life, even if that meant she had to sacrifice, and that's what being a mother is really all about.