Netflix is the streaming service that really tries to be all things to all people, but through the years, we’ve come to realize that it is an amazing resource for mothers. It keeps us going through late-night feedings and entertains us on the sly as we sit through sports practices and dance classes. We can use it to comfort-binge teen shows and rom-coms when things are tough. But what we love best of all is how many depictions of so many different types of mothers we can find in the Netflix library.
Even if your finely tuned algorithm has presented you with every single “mom”-themed show Netflix streams — Workin’ Moms, The Letdown, and I’m Sorry are forever intertwined in our feed — you may not be seeing all the moms we think you’ll love. After all, there are maternal characters tucked into so many shows that aren’t necessarily about mothers. There are mothers in movies about teenage girls, mothers in shows about families and superheroes. It’s kind of like how in real life we don’t exist in a vacuum.
The best thing about the fact that more mothers like Mindy Kaling are actually writing, directing, and producing TV shows and movies is that we can see ourselves on the screen in all of our three-dimensional glory — not just as beloved saints or nagging harpies or beleaguered, unpaid maids. We also aren’t always in one single mood, so it’s wonderful that we can see these mothers of Netflix in so many different settings and genres.
What we’ve listed here are the Netflix moms that suit many a different mood, circumstance, idle thought, or obsessive worry that strikes us as women raising children. Scroll through and we think you’ll find the one that will be perfect to watch right now … or maybe after the kids are in bed.
‘Workin’ Moms’
Best viewed when: You feel like motherhood made you a walking disaster. These Toronto moms are hilarious in all the ingenious ways they find to screw up and rebuild their lives.
‘Gilmore Girls’
Best viewed when: You’re feeling like one of the “old” moms and half wish you’d had kids when you were much younger. Lorelai and Rory will demonstrate the pros and cons of that life.
‘The Letdown’
Best viewed when: You feel like the flunky of mom’s group and maybe sometimes wonder what you were thinking when you decided to have kids. As much as the Australian mothers of this very cleverly titled show struggle, however, they eventually remember why it’s all worth it.
‘Raising Dion’
Best viewed when: You’re just so proud of your very special child, but you wonder what it would be like if he had superpowers. (And maybe you also wonder what it would like to have a child with Michael B. Jordan?) Turns out, that’s not exactly a good thing for widowed mom Nicole.
‘Schitt’s Creek’
Best viewed when: You’re imagining what your children will tell their therapist when they’re adults failing to launch. For all her narcissistic tendencies, Moira Rose really does love her kids, though.
‘One Day at a Time’
Best viewed when: You want to celebrate both your family’s traditions and the many, many ways you break all molds. We’re still not entirely forgiving Netflix for giving the boot to this funny, heartwarming show about Cuban-Americans after season 3, but once you’re hooked, you can hop over to Pop TV for the latest episodes too.
‘Good Girls’
Best viewed when: You’re paying bills and stewing about how much big corporations have robbed middle class families blind. These three moms figured out a way to rob The Man right back— and it’s OK, because it’s in order provide for their families.
‘I’m Sorry’
Best viewed when: You really miss having drinks with your raunchy mom friends. Andrea Savage’s take on raising a child without losing her sense of humor is the next best thing to a girls’ night out.
‘Dead to Me’
Best viewed when: You’re really pissed at your partner and/or your best friend, but want to reassure yourself that you’re at least not as unhinged as Jen and Judy. The grief they both feel over Jen’s husband’s untimely death is hard to take, but their humor and the absolutely wild plot that follows makes that vicarious pain worth it.
‘Enola Holmes’
Best viewed when: You’re tempted to run away from your teenager for a few years to see if they’d be better off on their own. Most tune in to see Sherlock Holmes’ little sister (Millie Bobby Brown), but we’re just as drawn to her fabulous, missing mom (Helena Bonham Carter).
‘Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce’
Best viewed when: You need a little reminder that your life is far from over after kids and divorce. This dearly departed Bravo show is the Sex and the City coda we didn’t know we needed about a self-help writer who’s making lemons out of lemonade.
‘Never Have I Ever’
Best viewed when: You feel like you’re too strict and demanding with your kids. Rest assured, you’re probably not as tough as teenage Devi’s mom Nalini is after the death of Devi’s dad in Mindy Kaling’s series. But if you want to be, that’s OK too.
‘Lady Bird’
Best viewed when: You need to remind yourself that while having a teenager will sometimes suck, you will one day reconcile. The focus of Greta Gerwig’s movie is Saoirse Ronan’s rebellious character, but those of us who are mothers can’t help but feel her mom’s (Laurie Metcalf) pain throughout it all.
‘Kim’s Convenience’
Best viewed when: You wish you had the guts to raise your children with the fierce protectiveness your immigrant parents (or grandparents, or ancestors) had for you. This Canadian sitcom about Korean immigrants has themes that are applicable to all families, but we’re pretty excited to see Korean-American culture represented in the mainstream.
‘Otherhood’
Best viewed when: You’re caught between being exhausted by motherhood and already sad about the future when your kids will be grown and flown. Even though we’re not huge fans of Felicity Huffman post-college-scandal, we can take her for the sake of seeing Angela Bassett and Patricia Arquette on-screen as friends and mothers figuring out why their sons don’t call them anymore.
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