11 Fictional Parents Who Are Really Nailing This Parenting Thing

Molly Weasley (Harry Potter, by J.K. Rowling)
She suffers some serious tragedies in the Harry Potter series, but man, Molly Weasley is just the best. Whether she’s knitting sweaters for her children, showering their orphaned friends with love, or basically exploding a dark witch in order to save her daughter, she’s totally nailing this parenting thing.

Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee)
Talk about leading by example. Atticus Finch is one of the best fictional dads out there and he shines as a strong, upstanding, loving character. He teaches his children about right and wrong, about standing up for what you believe in no matter what everyone else is doing, and about integrity and honesty. What more could you want from a parent?

Marmee (Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
She is the ultimate matriarch and, I’m sorry, but raising four girls alone while your husband’s away at war requires the strongest of ladies. It requires Marmee. She is the glue that keeps her family together, but she’s also a pillar of strength for her children to lean on and learn from. She is the ultimate mom goal.

Max’s Mother (Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak)
Hey, when you’ve got a kid who wants to leave a world where he is king and can do what he wants because he misses his mother? You know you’re totally nailing the parenting gig. Plus, Max’s mom still slips him a bowl of food despite his acting like a wild banshee. That’s a plus, too. I love the line in this book “where he was loved best of all”—few things describe a parent’s love better.

Mr. & Mrs. Quimby (Ramona Quimby, Age 8, by Beverly Cleary)
The Quimbys are some of the realest parents in any work of fiction and the love for their children, family, and each other is something to behold. Here’s why they are totally nailing this parenting thing—not only are they raising strong, happy, unique kids, but they also make sure their children recognize that they are more than just parents, they are people, too. They go back to school, they try to improve themselves, they work hard to provide—in short, they are giving their children the tools (and examples) they’ll need to become upstanding, productive citizens. And they’re doing it with Ramona Quimby as a kid. I mean, come on. Give this couple a medal already.

John Arable (Charlotte’s Web, by E.B. White)
I don’t know too many farmers that would save the runt of the litter for their kids, do you? John Arable can be counted as one and his act of kindness for his daughter becomes the first step to Wilbur and Charlotte’s friendship and the legacy the two will leave behind for those who know them. Major parenting goals, Pa.

The Couple (The Rainbabies, by Laura Krauss Melmed)
This was one of my favorite books as a kid, but it now makes me sob as an adult (in a good way). When the childless couple’s dreams finally come true, they realize they have been graced with twelve tiny babies to care for. They risk their lives, refuse to give them up, and do everything they can to shower those tiny little ones with love. In the end, they are rewarded with a child of their own, and it’s enough to make you weep all over the place. Parenthood is beautiful, but it’s easy to take it for granted on the hard days. This couple? They always recognize what a blessing babies are—especially on the hard days.

Mr. & Mrs. Little (Stuart Little, E.B. White)
Most parents might not take it so well to learn that they have a tiny mouse for a child, but the Littles don’t let their son’s species affect them at all. They do everything they can to not only keep him happy and comfortable, but the Little’s insist on giving Stuart the tools to thrive and to achieve his dreams. Parents like that are needed for all kids—everyone wants a mom or dad that constantly encourages, right? Especially if you’re only a couple of inches tall.

Alexander’s Mom (Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, Judith Viorst)
Two important things to note here—not only do Alexander’s parents let him have a bad day (meaning they don’t scold him or force him to be in a better mood), but his mother also reassures him that everyone has a bad day and that all you have to do is keep on going. A wise lesson, sure, but it’s incredibly hard to teach that when you’re just as frustrated as your whiny kid, right? Alexander’s mom gets it. Plus, she probably knows how to get all kinds of sticky stuff out of little boy hair.

Mr. Bennett (Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
Who doesn’t love Mr. Bennett? His relationship with Elizabeth is so lovely to read, but he’s also done an outstanding job of raising a strong, secure, assertive young woman. I truly believe that he thinks she has found her match in Mr. Darcy, but he also knows that she could be just fine on her own. A father and daughter relationship is always beautiful, but this one just truly gets me. Mr. Bennett totally deserves a “World’s Greatest Dad” coffee mug.

Olivia’s Mom (Olivia, by Ian Falconer)
Look, have you seen the stuff Olivia gets into at her house? She tries on all her clothes, she won’t leave the cat alone, and she attempted to recreate a Jackson Pollock painting on the wall. She refuses to nap, she insists on at least three books before bed, and she drives her baby brother insane. But all Olivia’s mom says is, “You really wear me out. I love you.” I mean, that pig is a saint. So patient and kind—all parents could take a lesson or two from Olivia’s mom.