What's wrong with Janine's mom in Abbott Elementary? Character explored in depth

Janine Teagues, the much-loved character known for her optimism and commitment to teaching, finally gets a chance to look into her family life in Abbott Elementary's Season 2, Episode 21, called "Mom." This moment in the show brings in Vanetta Teagues, played by Taraji P. Henson, and it's all about Janine's rocky relationship with her mom.

For a while, viewers have wondered about Janine's background because Abbott Elementary has been dropping hints here and there that she's had a tough time with her family. This episode opens up Janine's past, showing her mom as someone who loves her but isn't always there emotionally.

Janine's mom is more into herself than her daughter. But then there's Barbara Howard, who's Janine's "work mom," and gives Janine the love and support she's been missing.

Throughout the show, we see Janine trying to deal with her mom's shortcomings, and in this episode, she hits a turning point. She's deciding whether to keep seeking her mom's approval or to start putting herself first.

What's a better way to show that than going on a solo vacation? It's a big deal for her to take this step, and it's in the storyline of this episode. It's a look at Janine growing up and finding her way to happiness, despite her mother's flaws.

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How does Vanetta Teagues shape Janine's personality?

Vanetta Teagues is shown as a parent with her own issues, who ended up playing a part in shaping Janine into the selfless person she is today.

Some folks on Reddit have been chatting about the idea that Janine might have been "parentified" when she was young, which basically means she had to act more like a parent than a kid to take care of her mom and sibling.

This could explain why Janine always tries to stay positive on Abbott Elementary, even when things are rough because she learned to deal with her mom's neglect by pretending everything was okay.

There's this moment in the show where Vanetta stands up for Janine against Ava, which suggests she does have a protective streak. But because she can't completely admit her own mistakes, things between them are still a bit rocky.

Through this, Janine starts to understand that her mom's love has its limits. It's a big deal when Janine begins to set boundaries and look to the people at Abbott Elementary, who feel more like family, for support. This is a big step for her, as she starts putting more effort into taking care of herself.

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Barbara's role and Janine’s found family at Abbott Elementary

Barbara Howard, brought to life by Sheryl Lee Ralph, is like the mom Janine never had. In this episode of Abbott Elementary, Barbara sticks up for Janine when she's talking to Vanetta about taking some time off. Barbara's telling Janine it's okay to put herself first sometimes. She's not just there to support Janine; she's like her coach, pushing her to be better and look out for herself.

This scene on Abbott Elementary shows us that Barbara is about love and caring, which is a big part of what makes this show so warm and fuzzy, especially when it comes to finding a family in the people you choose to be with.

And it's not just Barbara. Janine's work friends, like Melissa, Jacob, and Gregory, they're all there for her too. They're tough on her, but it's because they care. They're like her second family, helping her figure out her feelings about her own family.

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You can catch all of this and more of Abbott Elementary on Hulu.