Top Five Television Moms of All Time

In honor of Mother's day, I would like to give my list of the five best TV moms of all time. I think there are going to be some on the list that will surprise you.

Please tell me who would be on your list:

5. Annie Camden - We all know the Camden family from 7^th Heaven. Running for 11 seasons, we got to see a lot of this woman's parenting ability. And, with 7 kids to raise, she did a pretty good job.

Annie is a jack of all trades, able to do more things than a bunch of people put together. Balancing the budget for a family of 9, which is itself a miracle, she also has time to cook, clean, fix most things around the house, and support her family when needed. She also took on many part time jobs throughout the run of the show, but she always came back to her main job, taking care of the family and raising her children the best she could.

I am not sure I would have done well with her as my mom. She expected perfection at times, something that is definitely not attainable. She sometimes sets herself up for disappointment, and can be a little judgmental at times. However, if her child (or anyone for that matter) is in need, watch out because there is no stopping her. An amazing mom, good-hearted, with tons of energy, Annie Camden definitely has to be on the list of best moms.

4. Marion Cunningham - There are not many people who didn't know Mrs. C. from the popular show Happy Days. She always brought a smile in every scene she was in.

Marion was not only mom to Richie, Joanie (and the disappearing Chuck), but she also became just that to Fonzie as well. Marion seemed to be very easy going, moving with the flow when her "kids" got in trouble.

But, whenever she needed to, Mrs. C. would straighten her back, and let everyone know without any argument allowed, that something was not acceptable. When you crossed that line, she was quick to deal with it, and afterwards, she let you know how much she still cared and accepted you, faults and all.

Her heart was bigger than most, her laughter brighter, and her maternal instinct spot on. If there was a problem, no one was quicker to help or offer advice. Even Fonzie would accept a kiss from Marion and she was the only person to call him by his actual first name of Arthur.

Life in the fifties was turbulent, but life with Marion Cunningham as your mother, was just right.

3. Kate Lawrence - Not many people remember this show from the 1970s. But, Family was about just that. And Kate Lawrence was a strong, matriarchal head of the family.

Her love and guidance for her family was without limits. The show was a drama so of course there were many obstacles to overcome. But, you never doubted her ability to handle anything that came her way.

I found her relationship with her daughter, "Buddy," to be extra special. Played by Kristy McNichol, Buddy's insecurity was so well done. And, you could see how well loved she (and the rest of the family) was.

One of the first shows to deal with serious issues, they were always handled in a very loving, yet firm manner. From, her other daughter, Nancy walking in on her husband and a friend cheating, to whether Buddy should have sexual relations, Kate Lawrence was always there to support her family. The show also dealt with adoption (something I have a personal interest in) when they adopted Annie Cooper (played by Quinn Cummings).

Kate Lawrence is the essence of a mom. She was there for her family and never turned away. What an incredible portrayal, an incredible mom.

2. Florida Evans - Good Times, well before Roseanne made its way onto your televisions was a sitcom about the not-so good times of living in an urban ghetto or slum area. Florida Evans, mom to JJ, Thelma, and Michael on was first seen on Maude, as the Findlay's maid. She was portrayed with a vibrancy and sense of humor.

Good times, with a sense of humor, realistically portrayed racial discrimination, street crime, blue-collar working conditions, and a family struggling to make ends meet.

It was their luck to have Florida Evans as a mom. With her smile, which was a mile wide, she made even the worst days bearable. She never gave up, always supporting her children and husband with a never say die attitude. Her job was to give her family hope, a reason to keep struggling and she did that and much more.

With all the stresses of a hard life, raising three kids and constant struggling of course she got exasperated, but Florida Evans was a woman who loved life and she was not going to let anything or anyone get her down. And, she successfully showed that love of life to her family. You would be hard pressed to find a better mom than Florida. And, why would you want to??

1. Lorelai Gilmore - Gilmore Girls was one of my all-time favorite shows. And, much of it was because of the relationship between Lorelai and Rory, her daughter.

Brought up in an opulent, yet cold home, Lorelai became the exact opposite type of mom then her mother was. Striving to be friend as well as parent, Lorelai gave Rory the freedom to become any one she wanted to be.

Was she perfect? Not at all. In fact, there were times when she was so adamant about not doing what her parents did that she ignored her parental instinct. But, as the show went on, we watched as she matured into an intelligent, fair, and confidant mom. She was always there for Rory, nothing was more important. She respected Rory's opinion and wanted her to feel in charge of her life, but was also a strong enough mom to stave off any self-destructive behavior. Lorelai learned about family with her daughter and even came to accept and forgive her own mom for some the mistakes made over the years.

Filled with witty, fast-paced dialogue and enough pop references to make everyone happy, the Gilmore Girls was an underappreciated show that bore the message of family. Family, which was more than biology because their town was full of eccentric and loving characters that were indeed part of the family, meant those people who you could always rely on, no matter what, foibles and all, they were there. And, there was no closer family than Lorelai and Rory, the Gilmore Girls.

These are my picks for the best moms on television. You may seek other traits for your version of a great mom. Share with me what you think. I am looking forward to seeing your choices.