Based on interviews with 16 mothers exposed to violence, we discuss the mother's experiences of shelter and what they think is good quality in shelter, with a focus on how they think it has been for their children and themselves connected to their role as mothers. The thematic analysis reveals a complex and contradictory picture of shelters, where the quality of the housing environment, services, structure, and access to support varies greatly between shelters. Some shelters were described as perceiving children only as an appendage to the mother, with no specific adjustments or services provided to the children, whereas others adopted a more holistic family-oriented approach where children's needs were perceived as equal to those of the mothers. The possibility of relief for the mothers is an important part of being able to benefit from support and help and to be able to function as mothers despite all the difficulties that shelter entails.