Happy Mother’s Day to all the mums out there. I personally think you should appreciate your mum every day of the year. When I think of all the things my own mother has had to put up with over the years I wonder how she hasn’t lost her mind yet. It’s easy to take these remarkable women for granted. We expect them to always be there to cook our dinners, wash our clothes and put up with our bad moods. They deserve a gold medal for not only raising us but for managing to run a house and hold down a job all the same time. They truly are amazing people. Where would we be without them?
One thing I’ve noticed is that a lot of YA books feature very tempestuous relationships between the heroines and their mothers. In some cases the heroine is an orphan and she has no sense of who her mother was. In other cases the mother is distant or doesn’t seem to the heroine to be supporting her. My own experience is vastly different. My mum has always been like a friend to me and while it is true that we don’t always see eye-to-eye, largely we have a very good relationship.
Thinking about these YA mothers made me start to wonder if there are any positive mother figures out there. The answer is yes and for today’s post I want to share with you my favourite mothers from literature.
1. Mrs Lancaster, The Fault in Our Stars
Hazel’s mother has had to endure something no mother should – finding out her child has cancer – and yet somehow she still manages to be positive. Hazel might roll her eyes at her enthusiasm, particularly in the way her mom tries to get her to socialise and make friends, but it’s clear that Mrs Lancaster has one goal and that is to make her daughter happy. She wants to see her live her life as much as she can and while she does worry about her health, she still encourages her to go out and have fun. Mrs Lancaster is very much Team Augustus and she not only approves of Hazel dating him, she is probably more excited about the relationship than her daughter. She is everything a mother should be – loving, concerned and supportive.
2. Rosa Hubermann, The Book Thief
At first Rosa appears rather stern and scary. She shouts at Liesel and calls her ‘Saumensch’, and she quite frequently hits her with a wooden spoon when Liesel has done something Rosa doesn’t approve of. Deep down, however, she is actually a rather good mother. Despite the fact that Liesel is not her biological child she does love her. She takes her in willingly and tries to give her the best she can even although they have little money. Rosa has a good heart, as is evidenced by the way she warms to Max, the Jew the Hubermanns shelter. She might argue with her neighbours and grumble about her employers, but Rosa does have a good heart and she will help anyone in need of it if she can.
3. Jess Thomas, The One Plus One
Jess is a prime example of how amazing mothers can be. Nicky is only her stepson but she took him in and brings him up when his father abandons them. It is Jess who tries to pick up the pieces as he suffers at the hands of bullies. Meanwhile, she strives to make her daughter, Tanzie’s, dreams come true by agreeing to let her enter a math’s competition that could allow her to go to a private school. Jess has little money despite working two jobs and yet she gives everything she can to her kids. Their happiness always comes first and she will do anything in her power to give them the lives they deserve.
4. Olena Belikov, Vampire Academy
Olena is actually the hero’s mother, but she is a wonderful example of how resilient mothers can be. Not only did she bring her children up by herself, she also became a healing figure in the small Russian village she calls home. Her children love and respect her and she is a true matriarch. When Rose ends up in Russia searching for Dmitiri, Olena takes her in and gives her shelter. When she learns of Dimitri and Rose’s relationship she welcomes her into the family and treats her like one of her own. She is both strong and compassionate, a woman able to stand on her own two feet but also able to open her heart to others.
5. Molly Weasley, Harry Potter
If ever there was an example of the best mum in the world surely it is Molly Weasley. She is fiercely protective and proud of her children. The Weasleys might not be rich or live in a fancy home, but it is a house filled with love and laughter. She is warm-hearted and accepts her children’s friends into her fold as if they were her own. Moreover, she is prepared to fight to protect her family and she will stand between them and anyone who tries to hurt them. She is brave and selfless and someone we would all be proud to call our mum.
Make Your Own Fairy Tale 
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