Claire Dunphy was a sarcastic, overbearing worrier in Modern Family. Because of the way she and her brother Mitchell were raised, Claire has a desire to always be in control. Her controlling behavior can bother her husband and kids from time to time and has given her some flak by fans, but deep down, Claire has a heart of gold.
With three kids and a husband who considers himself a kid in many ways, Claire is the only parent in the household who creates boundaries. This can make her seem like the "bad parent" at home, but she deserves more credit for all that she does. For over 11 seasons on Modern Family, Claire has held down her house, raised three independent children, and became a business powerhouse who deserves recognition.
She's Firm But Forgiving
Claire can come off as being strict or too firm, but it's her way of showing love for her family. She knows that rules for her kids are the only way she can have any kind of say in their busy lives.
Some Modern Family fans thought Claire came off as toxic when she was pressuring her daughter Haley about going to college but it was only because she knew Haley could do more with her life than dropping out of school and following Dylan's band around the US. Claire's maternal method was harsh for Haley at the time but it turned out to be just what she needed because Haley was eventually accepted into college and attended that fall.
The Older Her Kids Became, The More She Tried To Understand Them
There are plenty of TV parents who treat their adult kids like they're still children. It's hard for them to see past their growth. But with Claire, she appreciated their growth and did everything she could to prepare them for adulthood.
Claire came off as immature at times when her kids didn't listen to her, but she slowly got on her kids' level and tried understanding where they were coming from. This side of Claire came out when Haley went through her heartbreak from Andy. Claire saw her daughter in pain and mourned with her instead of forcing her to get over it.
She's A Strong Female Figure
When the kids got older, Claire was ready to go back to work but was worried it would hurt the family. She didn't want to not be available for her kids. With a little bit of encouragement from Phil and her dad, Jay, Claire went back to work at her dad's company, Pritchett's Closets & Blinds.
The more confident Claire became, Jay, felt secure retiring and handing the business down to Claire. She soon became a wife, a mother, and a CEO. Claire has always been independent but now she was a boss. As a mother to two young girls, Claire was a powerful female role model in their lives. She proved that women can do it all and never give up a goal.
Claire Went Through Great Lengths To Keep Her Kids On Track
Like any parent on a sitcom, Claire goes through extreme lengths to keep an eye on her kids or to make sure they're on the right path. In many aspects, she worries more about her kids' future than they do. Funny enough, Claire was just as carefree as a teen as her kids are and she should follow her own advice.
In one episode, Claire worried about her son Luke and what he was doing. With Phil's help, the two followed his location and tried spying on him with a drone. But after realizing Luke and his friends were in no harm and were actually making a zombie movie for fun, Claire dropped the reigns and let Luke be the free spirit that he was.
She Goes All Out On Holidays
Another way that Claire is an amazing mom is her love for the holidays. Her favorite holiday is Halloween and she makes sure that everyone is festive on such an exciting day. She decorates the house all spooky, she encourages the kids to go trick-or-treating, and she dresses up in a theme with her kids.
Claire knows how to have fun with her kids and inspires them to do the same. There are Modern Family episodes where her kids are annoyed by Claire's need for perfection on the holidays, but she does it for the family.
Claire Stepped Up When Haley Became Pregnant
No one was more shocked by Haley getting pregnant than Claire was. Claire had Haley at a young age and didn't want Haley following in her footsteps because she wanted her to get life experience before settling down. However, that was the case for Haley.
She found herself pregnant with her longtime on-again/off-again boyfriend, Dylan. And while Claire was upset because she (and most Modern Family fans) wanted Haley to end up with someone other than Dylan, she pushed her emotions aside and dove headfirst into mom duty. She encouraged Haley and Dylan to move into their basement to save money and helped with the twins when they were born. Claire really did put her differences aside for the better of her daughter and grandkids because she wanted them all to have a great start in life.
She Has No Qualms With Making A Fool Of Herself If It Means Calming Her Mind
Some of Claire's actions to be closer to her kids may seem extreme, but she doesn't mind making a fool of herself if it means she's closer to understanding them. In one episode, Haley made a mistake and left her phone in her friend Andy's car. With her mom out of town, Claire assumed Haley was ignoring her texts and calls because of a previous fight.
However, she began to worry about her daughter because it was unlike her to remain silent for this long. Claire tracked her phone and found out she and Andy were at a wedding chapel in Las Vegas. Although this is certainly considered invasive, especially when fans found out she set up fake Facebook profiles to get updates on her children's lives, the viewers did come to realize that this didn't come from a place of malice. She just wanted to make sure they were safe and okay, which most parents are likely to relate to.
Claire's Anxiety And Need For Control Can Be Seen As Relatable
Claire's need for control may seem off-putting to viewers, but it's the only way she can have peace of mind in her home. Some Modern Family fans believe Claire and Phil are polar opposites and don't always make sense, but they have a healthy balance.
Claire's need for organization and structure for peace of mind is also incredibly relatable. She used her fondness for coordination into getting her a new job at an organization company. And while it bothers her that her kids aren't as structured as she is, she allows them to be independent and find what works for them.
Motherhood Isn't Easy
Most sitcom moms make parenthood look so easy. It's typically getting the kids off to school, reprimanding them on the weekends, and having heart-touching talks before bed. But in Modern Family, Claire's stress around motherhood is shown in every aspect.
To unwind from the stress that comes with parenting, Claire says everything Modern Family fans were thinking and carves out time for herself. She goes to yoga, she drinks wine while she reads, and she goes to the shooting range to let off some steam. Claire shows all sides of motherhood.
Claire Allows Her Kids To Find Their Independence
As strict as Claire can be, she finds the courage to let go so her kids can make mistakes for themselves. She encouraged all her kids to go away to college; she pushed Alex to get outside her comfort zone and didn't get involved too much when she began to date, and she allowed Luke to find himself before he made a decision on college.
As hard as it is for Claire, she knows that she's not always going to be around for her kids and encourages them to live life for themselves.