Best & Worst Moms Ever

10 Best Moms Ever

Dumbo's Mom

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Mrs. Jumbo loves her baby elephant boy with all of her heart. She doesn't care that his ears are growing to gigantic proportions, but seemingly everyone else does. Mama Jumbo does what she can to shield Dumbo from the taunts of other elephants and circus visitors, but when some mischievous boys tug at his ears, she goes into an elephantine rage. The circus workers think that Mrs. Jumbo has gone crazy and lock her up lest she injure anyone else. Dumbo is separated from his mother and left unshielded from the unrelenting attacks. But, showing the fortifying effects of a mother's strong love in his heart, he turns what others see as his greatest weakness into his greatest strength and uses his ears to fly. The metaphor is apt: a supportive mother can give her child wings.

10 Best Moms Ever

From the loving strength of Dumbo's mom to the caring overkill of The Joy Luck Club mothers, here's time.com's salute to the most significant moms ever.

10 Worst Moms Ever

Obsessing over wire hangers, putting a hit out on your own son, implanting never-ending neuroticism into your kid. What won't these bad moms do? The answer: love their children the right way. Time.com's selections for the worst moms ever.