As I set out to think about my favorite TV moms there were other characters that came to mind first. I thought about Tami Taylor from Friday Night Lights, the mom from Everyone Loves Raymond, but at the end of the day the TV mother that inspired me the most was Fiona Gallagher.

Recently I have joined the crowds of people hailing shameless as one of the greatest Television series of the 21'st century. As I binge watched all 6 seasons (haven't finished the seventh, no spoilers in comments please) the character I always found myself sympathizing with was Fiona. Doing whatever she can to raise a family while at the same time pursuing her own goals and aspirations. In reality there are people like her all across the world.

There are mothers who are doing it all on their own, sisters who had no choice to become mothers when their parents weren't present. So often our idea of a good mother is filtered through a lens of cultural cliché's.

Good mothers make mistakes. Good mothers aren't perfect. Good mothers can be selfish. But at the end of the day good mothers care.

We need to take time all year to celebrate mothers of every type in every situation, and realize that mothers are humans that make mistakes just like the rest of us.