18 TV moms who are good role models for parents

The Parents Television Council, a nonprofit organization that advocates for family friendly entertainment, released a list this week of the best moms you’ll find on television in honor of Mother’s Day on Sunday.

The list is a mix of modern and past TV moms, who are good role models for parents to follow, the PTC said.

“TV moms have changed over the decades. On television today we seldom see the idealized mothers of generations past; whose hair was always perfectly coiffed, whose clothes were always pressed and pristine, who managed their home and family with ease and grace,” the PTC said. “And while critics complain that those TV moms of generations past were unrealistic and painted a picture of suburban, middle-class America that never really existed; they also gave us an ideal to aspire to.”

Here’s a look at the PTC’s top 18 TV mothers.

Jesse Beckett — “Second Noah”

Jesse Beckett, mother of eight children, was a veterinarian at Busch Gardens in Florida. She was known as a caring mother, constantly taking in stray animals and children, the PTC said.

Jill Taylor — “Home Improvement”

This mother was married to Tim Taylor, a tool handyman without a plan. Jill was always the source of calm in the otherwise wacky world seen on “Home Improvement,” according to the PTC.

Hariette Winslow — “Family Matters”

Hariette Winslow was the mother in “Family Matters,” who, along with husband Carl Winslow, raised three children. She worked as an elevator operator before becoming a customer service representative.

“Dr. Mike,” Dr. Quinn — “Medicine Woman”

Dr. Quinn was a confident woman and female doctor in America just after the Civil War. She adopted her friend’s three children and raised them on her own. She promoted strong work ethic and compassion for her children, according to the PTC.

Amy Matthews — “Boy Meets World”

Amy Matthews was always the calming center of the family on “Boy Meets World.” Matthews kept things mellow as her two sons and husband partook in hijinks and craze, which often made her the moral center of the show, the PTC said.

Dee Mitchell — “Moesha”

Dee Mitchell was a stepmother to a teenage girl. In the beginning, she decided not to be best friends with her child, and instead chose to be a tougher parent so she could teach her teen daughter respect.

Mitchell’s decision isn’t a bad idea, either. Lois Collins of the Deseret News wrote that it’s not always beneficial to be best friends with your child.

Hilda and Zelda Spellman — “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”

Sure, Hilda and Zelda were technically aunts to young Sabrina, but they raised her as their own and helped her get through the rough teenage years that only a teenage witch can experience.

Annie Camden — “7th Heaven”

The PTC called Annie Camden “the kind of mom we all wish we could be more often.” Camden was calm, wise and centered. She was a gentle teacher and calmly told her children what she wanted them to be like in the future.

Claire Greene — “Promised Land”

Claire Greene could have sulked when her husband lost his job. Instead, she took her family on the road to live together. She taught her children about the importance of God and faith, which she promoted in each episode.

Lois — “Malcolm in the Middle”

Lois offered a more liberal view of parenting in “Malcolm in the Middle.” She was a little dysfunctional, but she still taught her children to love each other and spread kindness to others.

Marge Simpson — “The Simpsons”

Yes, this cartoon mother also makes the list of best TV moms. The PTC said that Marge Simpson is often the good parent in the show, compared to her husband, Homer, who’s constantly wreaking havoc in the fictional town of Springfield. Her parenting style seems to work for audiences, too — the show was recently renewed for its 27th and 28th seasons.

Bonnie Malloy — “Life with Bonnie”

Bonnie Malloy sure had a lot on her plate. She was wife to a doctor, a mother and she hosted a morning talk show. Despite her juggling, she taught her children to always act kind and help one another through the tough times.

Martha Kent — “Smallville”

Being the mother to Superman is no easy task. Martha Kent was the adoptive mother of Clark Kent during his time in Smallville, teaching the superhero-to-be good ethics and values that he took with him after he donned the famous red cape, the PTC reported.

Helen Girardi — “Joan of Arcadia”

Helen Girardi had a lot to worry about. Her family just moved to a new town, where her husband was the chief of police, and her son was recovering from paralysis. Despite this, she kept her faith in God and raised her family through the struggles.

Tami Taylor — “Friday Night Lights”

There’s no mother more fierce and protective than Tami Taylor, according to the PTC. She wasn’t just protective of her children, she eventually became the high school counselor and principal and watched the school’s children on a daily basis.

Frances Heck — “The Middle”

It’s not always easy making ends meet, but it’s still important to keep the family together. Frances Heck, a middle-class wife and mother of three, raised her children as best she could despite the economic issues her family often faced.

Erin Reagan-Boyle — “Blue Bloods”

Erin Reagan-Boye has a difficult task before her — raise a teenage girl on her own. But she makes the best of it, since she’s intelligent, loyal and tough with her daughter, according to the PTC.

Rainbow Johnson — “Black-ish”

Rainbow Johnson has also got it tough; she’s a working mother of four and a wife. Still, she remains “the glue that holds her family together as they take on the challenge of adhering to their roots while breaking down barriers professionally and personally,” according to the PTC.