Huge props to Marmee for (basically single-handedly) raising four wildly different girls and honoring them as the amazing individuals they all were.  She imparted wise words and tenderhearted hugs at every turn, and her cheerful presence was like a smile on every page.  Marmee wasn’t an idol on a pedestal, though.  She was not afraid to ask for help and she was willing to share her weaknesses with her girls to help them better themselves.  She was all that and a bag of chips.  Seriously.

  “You think your temper is the worst in the world, but mine used to be just like it.”

While at first Molly Weasley may seem a little scatterbrained (who wouldn’t be after raising seven children including tricksters Fred and George), Molly proves she is a worthy matriarch, keeping all seven of her children, her husband, and semi-adopted son Harry in line. Seriously, who didn’t want to crawl under the table when she sent the Howler to Ron?

She is the definition of a mother bear when she roars, “Not my daughter, you bitch!” at Bellatrix Lestrange, a scene in the book and the movie that still gives me goosebumps.  But she is also the tender-hearted mother that hugged Harry after Cedric Diggory’s death when he was all but inconsolable.  Disciplinarian, bad-ass, or teddybear, Molly Weasley is the mom you wish you had and wish you could be.

            Fiercely protective and loyal she is willing to do most anything for her children.  And while most of the time she is a sweet, nurturing, maternal character, don’t be fooled; she has a vicious and vengeful side that comes out when her children are hurt or threatened.  This is one loving mother you don’t want to mess with.

“Ned always said that the man who passes the sentence should swing the blade, though he never took any joy in the duty.  But I would, oh, yes.”
A Clash of Kings

Not all moms have to sacrifice their lives to prove their love for their children, but Natalie Prior was more than willing to do so to save her daughter, Tris.  At the beginning of the story, we see Natalie as a smiling, supportive, behind-the-scenes kind of mom, and it’s not until later, when Tris is in trouble that we really see the depth of her love and commitment.

“My mother’s death was brave.  I remember how calm she was, how determined.  It isn’t just brave that she died for me; it is brave that she did it without announcing it, without hesitation, and without appearing to consider another option.” – Tris Prior

Lisa is the definition of strength in motherhood; raising her children to be aware of the racial injustice around them but not to be embittered by it, and to always look for and work for the good around them.  She is no Pollyana and she is certainly not a push-over, but she wants her children to understand that there is always more than one side to a story.  She is not perfect, but she is real, and she loves her family with everything she has.

“At an early age I learned that people make mistakes, and you have to decide if their mistakes are bigger than your love for them.”