Oh mother, it doesn't add up

There is a general perception that mothers are automatically incompetent at math to the degree that doctors will not explain simple graphs and Mothers' Day cards including math are hard to find. A survey of books about mathematicians reveals little information on male mathematicians' mothers despite their probable influence while a book on women mathematicians only included three who were also mothers. Active participation by parents in math instruction is important and involvement of mothers could counteract some of the negative stereotype.