Mother's Day is one of those days that moms both look forward to and dread a little. There's always so much to be done in order to prepare for the occasion that it usually takes a little of the luster out of the entire thing. Over time, it's easy to get disillusioned about Mother's Day, but nothing quite breaks that disillusionment like a few really inspiring quotes, especially when they come from celebrities and inspiring moms we really look up to.
This list features 40 of our favorite Mother's Day quotes from some of our favorite moms. Instead of being mindless, generally happy words that everyone sees on the inside of expensive cards, these quotes are powerful, inspiring, funny, real, and just about everything in between. There are no false platitudes, but there are plenty of gems that can be tucked away and saved for the time they're needed most.
So here we go: 40 different moms, 40 different quotes, and 40 different feelings they bring out in us. Reese Witherspoon, Beyonce, even Madeleine Albright: The women quoted here have different careers, different mothering styles, and different outlooks on life. But the one thing they all have in common is their ability to move us with their words and make us feel strong and supported as moms.
Hilary Rosen Mother's Day Quote
Political pundit and columnist Hilary Rosen shared words of wisdom that just about every hardworking mom knows to be true.
Kate Winslet Mother's Day Quote
Perfect for any mom who needs a little inspiration to "just keep going," Kate Winslet's beautiful words are incredibly powerful.
Arianna Huffington Mother's Day Quote
As cofounder of the Huffington Post, Arianna Huffington knows firsthand just how difficult the jobs of working moms can be.
Maria Shriver Mother's Day Quote
Journalist Maria Shriver totally gets it right in this quote about the incredibly important job moms have when it comes to raising good kids into great adults.
Jackie Kennedy Onassis Mother's Day Quote
Jackie Kennedy Onassis's quote about failure as a parent is definitely rooted in tough love, but most moms feel the exact same way.
Carly Fiorina Mother's Day Quote
She may be a successful businesswoman and CEO, but Carly Fiorina never forgets to thank the woman who instilled strength and drive in her.
Reese Witherspoon Mother's Day Quote
Reese Witherspoon is totally right. No mom is ever doing anything perfectly, but perfection pales in comparison to unconditional love.
Madeleine Albright Mother's Day Quote
It's always difficult to nail down the most difficult part of being a mom, but politician Madeleine Albright's words about the constant dilemmas of raising kids definitely ring true.
Mariah Carey Mother's Day Quote
World-famous singer Mariah Carey is absolutely right when she brings up the fact that being a mom is equal parts difficult and a learning experience.
Michelle Obama Mother's Day Quote
Out of all the things she accomplished during her eight-year tenure as First Lady, her most inspiring was definitely her position as a mom.
Keira Knightley Mother's Day Quote
Becoming a parent changes everything, but whatever those changes may be, even if they aren't always good, they are definitely worth the reward of being a mom.
Barbara Bush Mother's Day Quote
Leave it to Barbara Bush to keep it completely real about the constant struggle moms face to love and raise their kids unselfishly.
Hillary Clinton Mother's Day Quote
Hillary Clinton is known for her wisdom, but these words perfectly describing motherhood as a gift hit the nail on the head.
Pink Mother's Day Quote
It's kind of hard to fully capture how amazing it is to have a kid in words. But singer-songwriter Pink does it pretty darn well here.
Ann Romney Mother's Day Quote
When celebrating moms, there are a lot of women who get left out of the fold. Ann Romney makes it clear that every mom, no matter her circumstance, is just as strong as the next.
Chrissy Teigen Mother's Day Quote
Chrissy Teigen is known for her hilariously honest takes about motherhood, but this more emotional quote really hits home.
Mila Kunis Mother's Day Quote
Actress and mom Mila Kunis absolutely nails the unchanging love a mother feels for her child.
Jennifer Lopez Mother's Day Quote
There probably isn't a mom anywhere who doesn't 100% relate to Jennifer Lopez's words about the complete uncertainty of life with kids.
Penelope Cruz Mother's Day Quote
No one ever really wants to talk about just how true all those cheesy clichés about motherhood are, but Penelope Cruz obviously has no problem admitting it.
Eva Mendes Mother's Day Quote
It can be difficult to watch our kids turn from our constantly curious little ones into fully fledged people with wants and personalities. Luckily, actress Eva Mendes reminds us how important it is for moms to let our kids be themselves.
Beyonce Mother's Day Quote
Singer and superstar Beyonce took the time to celebrate herself after she gave birth to her first child, and this incredible quote reminds us how affirming maternal love can be for both us and our kids.
Drew Barrymore Mother's Day Quote
So many of us moms feel like our kids have taught and improved us in unimaginable ways; actress Drew Barrymore put it into words beautifully.
Kerry Washington Mother's Day Quote
So many things change when a woman becomes a mom, but like Kerry Washington points out, the biggest change usually happens emotionally.
Kate Beckinsale Mother's Day Quote
Anyone with kids knows that it's incredibly emotional. Kate Beckinsale sums up the experience perfectly by comparing it to an exposed beating heart.
Tina Fey Mother's Day Quote
Those feelings of complete exhaustion coupled with nothing but pure elation are one of the most universal mom experiences there is.
Angelina Jolie Mother's Day Quote
Angelina Jolie is an incredible actress and an inspiring activist; to hear her refer to herself as a "mom first" just makes her that much more relatable.
Princess Diana Mother's Day Quote
Princess Diana may be gone, but her incredibly beautiful and inspiring words are still very much alive.
Sarah Michelle Gellar Mother's Day Quote
In a world where every mom is expected to be perfect and flaw-free, this quote by actress Sarah Michelle Gellar reminds us all that our best is good enough.
Meryl Streep Mother's Day Quote
Whether this Meryl Streep quote is taken literally or metaphorically, it's a universal truth for most moms.
Maya Rudolph Mother's Day Quote
Like pretty much everything else she says, this Maya Rudolph admission is both funny and relatable.
Lady Gaga Mother's Day Quote
Lady Gaga may not be a mom herself, but it's pretty clear that her own mother has had a huge impact on her.
Victoria Beckham Mother's Day Quote
Despite the fact that she's one of the most famous — and coolest — celebrity moms out there, Victoria Beckham's quote about the journey of motherhood is super relatable.
Maya Angelou Mother's Day Quote
Like so many things the late great poet Maya Angelou said, this quote is short and sweet, but still very powerful.
Alicia Keys Mother's Day Quote
We can't get over Alicia Keys' words about how motherhood has transformed her sense of self; they only make us even more inspired to discover our own changes.
Jill Churchill Mother's Day Quote
World-renowned author Jill Churchill is known for her amazing way with words, but this incredible quote may take the cake.
Jennifer Garner Mother's Day Quote
Not all quotes about motherhood have to be super profound. Sometimes, they're just hilariously real, like these oh-so-true words by Jennifer Garner.
Olivia Wilde Mother's Day Quote
Mom-of-two and dropper of truths Olivia Wilde is one of many moms who has spoken about how amazing it feels to be a selfless mom.
Nia Vardalos Mother's Day Quote
Another incredibly funny one, actress and mom Nia Vardalos keeps it real by talking about the perpetual stickiness moms have to deal with.
Solange Knowles Mother's Day Quote
Between mom-shaming, constant pressure, and self-doubt, it can be easy for moms to lose their way. In only a few words, singer Solange Knowles encourages moms to be unafraid to do what they want.
Jamie Lee Curtis Mother's Day Quote
To round out our list, actress Jamie Lee Curtis offers some words of encouragement every mom should be able to live by, beautifully reminding us that our presence in our kids' lives matters above all else.
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