Best candidate for team mom?

I’d say Applejack. She’s arguably the most down to Earth and can keep everyone in check if need be. Twilight…well…eh.

Yeah, Applejack. Though it’s weird in that Twilight thinks of all of the decisions, and Applejack finds a way to enact them. Really, she’s second in command. The only other pony I could see realistically leading them all is Rarity, and that’s a maybe.

Applejack and Twilight of course.

None of them. There shall be no bugging and fussing and meddling in this unit. ’s funnier that way.

If you’re going by actual motherly traits, then Fluttershy wins by a mile.

While Fluttershy is ultimately the more motherly type, Applejack is ultimately the one who leads the team around when Twilight is either unable to lead or she believes she shouldn’t lead. I don’t want to bring up this for a point, but notice how Applejack told the others to check on (fake) Cadance and they all complied without a second thought and how she’s the only one who actually apologized to Twilight. Not to mention that she’s the one who suggested Twilight goes back to her Princess duties.
 
She’s the first pony Twilight formally met, the first Pony to activate her Element, and the first Pony to fall to Discord’s temptations. And for good reason. She’s practically the moral ground that the others stand on. Without her, they just crumble apart.

@Itsthinking  

 
Rarity? You honestly think Captain Dramaqueen would be a realistic choice for leader?

@Kazapsky  
Only in a few situations.

@Kazapsky  
She can fight. That’s more leadership ability than the other three.

@ClownDicks  
Rarity the Unicorn is a loose cannon cop that doesn’t play by the rules.

@ClownDicks
 
Fighting skills and leadership skills have no correlation or causal relationship whatsoever.

@Kazapsky  
That’s a joke, son.

@ClownDicks
 
An extremely pathetic excuse for one.

@Kazapsky  
She’s not a drama queen when the situation is serious. Only for levity

Applejack. No contest. If anything happened to Twilight, Applejack would become the group’s de facto leader.