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Your Mother’s Day Watchlist

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by Madeline Myers, Public Relations and Communications Specialist • Published on
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Program Notes

PBS Western Reserve has been capturing motherhood on screen for decades, reflecting the complicated, vibrant experiences of moms everywhere. From the kooky off-screen relationship between Patricia Routledge’s Hyacinth Bucket and her son Sheridan to Pat Loud’s authentic portrayal of motherhood on AN AMERICAN FAMILY, public media has maintained a legacy of depicting motherhood in its messiness, humor, beauty and everything in between. 

In celebration of Mother’s Day, here are four PBS programs that carry that legacy into the current era:  

Call the Midwife

For your mom 
Call the Midwife 

Inspired by the memoirs of Jennifer Worth, this long-running MASTERPIECE drama follows nurses, midwives and nuns from Nonnatus House, who visit expectant mothers of London’s East End from the 1950s to ‘70s. Watch with your mom to reflect on how the expectations of motherhood have been transformed by time and maybe take a nostalgic trip down memory lane. 

Anahita: A Mother’s Journey

For moms around the globe 
Anahita: A Mother’s Journey 

Anahita, a police officer in Kabul and the mother of five, escapes as the Taliban takes over in August 2021. This is the story of her harrowing journey out of Afghanistan and the beginning of her new life in the United States. A tribute to the bravery of refugee mothers like Anahita and the extraordinary obstacles they’ve overcome for their children, this film is a thought-provoking portrait of motherhood in the face of unfathomable challenges. 

Nature: Parenthood

For moms of a different kind 
Nature: Parenthood  

Narrated by David Attenborough, this recent NATURE series explores the extraordinary strategies and adaptability that animal parents employ to give their young a head start in life. Though the behaviors and habitats may look different in humankind, this “Parenthood” series is an inspiring testament to the profound connection between mothers and their children. 

Lyla and the Loop

For the little ones 
Lyla and the Loop 

Lyla’s mom Lydia is a powerful role model for young kids as her strong sense of self and giving personality guide Lyla through challenges both big and small. This PBS KIDS series for preschool and early elementary school children and their families will model the importance of fundamental skills within a family setting, from collaboration to creativity, problem-solving, and more.  

More on Mother’s Day from PBS: 

Six Mother’s Day Traditions from Around the World 

PBS KIDS Celebrates Mother’s Day 

Anna Jarvis and the History of Mother’s Day 

Nine Children’s Books for Mother’s Day 

Adoptive Moms Are Real Moms