Lorelai Gilmore is easily one of the most watched TV moms of the twenty-first century. She has a compelling backstory, a (mostly) easygoing demeanor, and a fierce love for her only daughter. It's not too difficult to love Lorelai, and some appreciate her even more than Rory.
Devoted fans stuck with Lorelai through thick and thin for seven seasons and Gilmore Girls fans have found some aspects of her character that don't fly today.
Best Friend Or Mom?
Rory and Lorelai Gilmore's relationship is the crux of the whole series. The women look like they could be sisters, and they act like it, too. Lorelai provides for Rory and tries to teach her right from wrong, but the young mother interacts with her teenage daughter in a much more casual way than other moms would with their children.
It's great to have fun and be friends, but Lorelai's way of parenting doesn't always work well for the Gilmore girls. In today's world, parents definitely need to be strong enough to enforce rules and be level-headed for their kids.
Relationship With Luke Danes
The Luke and Lorelai saga makes for good television, but it isn't practical for today's woman. Lorelai shouldn't feel forced to act a certain way or operate on a given schedule for any man, and Luke clearly does what he wants in the relationship.
While they are an attractive and sweet couple, their communication skills aren't always irable.
Personal Versus Professional Life
There is no denying that Lorelai is a great businesswoman. She is a self-made professional in the hospitality industry, and fans cheer her on every time they rewatch Lorelai open The Dragonfly Inn. Without negating those positive aspects of her management style, fans can still it that Lorelai allows her personal and professional lives to bleed together too often.
It is normal for some problems in life to take over everything, but that happens a bit much for Lorelai. She often handles herself calmly and doesn't allow the inn to suffer, but some of her personal woes should be dealt with away from her business property.
Treatment Of Her Parents
Emily and Richard Gilmore are never portrayed as the perfect parents or grandparents. A lot of pain and discord has occurred between the wealthy Gilmores and their daughter before the show begins. When the tide starts to turn and Rory's Chilton deal commences, the relationship between Lorelai and her parents is understandably strained.
Richard and Emily could show more confidence in Lorelai, but Lorelai could also show her parents greater respect and common courtesy. She knows how to push their buttons, and she does it many times. Family dynamics can be fragile, but the Gilmores would need to show each other a little more grace today.
Relationship With Christopher
Yes, Lorelai can date anyone she wants, even if it's Christopher. However, nothing good ever comes of Lorelai and Christopher rekindling their romance as adults.
The toxic relationship between the parents certainly would not fly today, even when it appears to be smoothed over. It's never long before the bottom falls out again, but Lorelai just can't seem to learn her lesson.
Reaction To Rory's Mistakes
Going back to Rory, Lorelai is faced with some tough decisions. Even though Rory is a good kid and a model student, she makes mistakes in high school and college. This makes Lorelai uncomfortable because it is hard for her to discipline Rory. The mom sometimes ends up seething in anger and letting everything bubble up even more.
When she does address Rory's misbehavior, she has trouble getting the girl to listen to her. Thankfully, the majority of the show isn't an argument or a falling out, but those more trying situations might play out more sensibly today.
Emotional Outbursts
Once in a while, Lorelai airs her dirty laundry in the public square. Humans need safe spaces where they can talk about their problems and work on them in healthy ways. Lorelai discusses some of her issues in private with Rory, Luke, Sookie, and others, but it's easy for the whole town to know her business, too.
Connecticut is not confined to Stars Hollow, so perhaps Lorelai should get in the car and drive a few towns over to find a good therapist. At least she and her mother give it a try in the reboot.
Commitment Issues?
Again, no one is trying to limit Lorelai's dating and social life. But the woman might have missed out on some really great guys due to her long pursuits of Luke and distractions by Christopher.
Not so much with Jason "Digger" Stiles, but Max Medina? Who knows what that relationship could have become if Lorelai had given it more of a chance. She might be a little more open-minded if she had it to do over again.
Constant Unhealthy Diet
This one isn't too hard to guess, but Lorelai and Rory Gilmore share one of the unhealthiest diets of any television drama. Their steady stream of junk food and inability to cook is a frequent joke on the show, but it isn't funny for some.
There is nothing wrong with promoting some foods that are good for the human system.
Weirdness With Rory's Boyfriends
For someone who is supposed to be Rory's BFF mom, Lorelai is really weird around Rory's boyfriends. Whether it's an awkward comment with Dean or a confrontation with Jess or Logan, the mom doesn't know how to act around these guys.
She doesn't give Rory clearly-defined dating rules in high school, so maybe the mom is just trying to learn everything she can about her daughter's suitors to try to protect her.