Instant Mom

After Aaron describes Stephanie as a 'yelly monster' when she tries to get the family ready in the morning, Stephanie realizes that she must do better.

Stephanie plans a surprise party for Gabby's 16th birthday, but things don't go as she intended because of Maggie's mistake with the invitations.

When both Stephanie and James face rejection, she signs them up for a bike race to prove that hard work pays off.

Stephanie and Charlie plan a child-free weekend in New York, only to find that Aaron has stowed away in their car; James and Gabby make plans while their parents are away.

James becomes popular at school after others incorrectly believe he's a bad boy, and when one of his new pals does something wrong, he's reluctant to tattle; Stephanie lectures James about doing the right thing.

Stephanie agrees to see a dentist to help Aaron get over his fears, but is nervous to discover the dentist is a face from her past.

James' video-game skills get him on a professional team, but then he regrets going pro, so Stephanie and Charlie try to get him out of his contract.

Aaron lands in hot water with his teacher, whom he calls a doofus—a word he heard Stephanie utter. Meanwhile, James uses Charlie in his plan to get out of doing his history homework.

Stephanie feels expendable on Halloween when the kids make their own plans. Meanwhile, Charlie tries to maintain his record for having the best decorated house in the neighborhood.

When Stephanie and Charlie learn that Gabby has had a secret boyfriend, they meet him, finding him to be a bad influence.

The kids' garden is destroyed by the neighbors, so Stephanie and Charlie seek revenge, and soon the kids follow their bad example.

Stephanie worries that she is working too much when Aaron's imaginary friend returns.

Stephanie goes on the family camping trip to help Aaron earn scout badges, but when Maggie shows up in the camping trailer, the family has no interest in being out in the woods, so Stephanie is determined to keep them out of there so Aaron can earn his scout badges the right way.

The kids return from vacation with their mom Kimberly in Mozambique, and then they learn that they'll be moving there, far away from Stephanie and Charlie. Meanwhile, Stephanie is responsible of hiring a clown for a one year old's birthday party.

Stephanie and Charlie take sides when Gabby is held for shoplifting after returning a pair of jeans with the sensor still on; James sells unopened wedding presents to make extra money.

Aaron brings his class rabbit home to take care of it for the weekend but after it dies, Stephanie steps in and is determined to explain the nature of loss to Aaron, despite his teacher's objections.

Stephanie cancels the maid service and gives the kids chores in an attempt for them to learn responsibility, but her plan backfires when the kids go on strike.

Gabby and James both submit their own videos to win tickets to a sold-out Cody Simpson concert, but when Aaron wins the tickets with his own video, the family fights over who will go with him.

Aaron misunderstands Charlie's advice and gives Sam all of Stephanie's jewelry; Gabby decides to torment James.

When Charlie invites his boss over, Stephanie and the children make the wrong impression.

Stephanie leaves Gabby in charge when the babysitter cancels on the night of a big event where Charlie is the speaker.

Stephanie plans activities at home when the family gets snowed in on their vacation.

Stephanie surprises the family with a visit from her father at Christmas; Stephanie is surprised by Maggie's reaction to her father's visit.

Stephanie seeks parenting advice by starting an anonymous blog and receives helpful tips until she discovers that the “helpful” users are the kids living under her roof, who have an agenda of their own.

Stephanie attempts to get more involved by participating on the parents’ dance committee at James’ school only to find the other mothers mean and unwelcoming to the too pretty, too excited, binder-ready Stephanie.

Stephanie begins to feel old. Stephanie escorts Gabby to an audition for a rock band, and manages to get the gig for herself. James and Aaron try to bribe Maggie for money to buy a video game.

Gabby gets asked out by a boy and she wants to go, but Charlie doesn't want her to date until she’s 16. Maggie backs him up, but Gabby sneakily gleans advice from Stephanie on how to get around the rule.

Stephanie tries to intervene when Aaron is given a hard time at school, but she makes matters worse. Meanwhile, Gabby’s trying out for cheerleading and Maggie volunteers to coach her, but comes off more like a drill sergeant.

Stephanie’s determined to bond with the kids and uses her love of music to do it. But by forcing them to take up an instrument against their will, Stephanie learns a very public and embarrassing lesson in parenting.

Stephanie tells James that lying is acceptable if it makes someone’s day better, which leads him to tell a huge lie. When everyone is called to the principal’s office, the family must find a balance between honesty and shading the truth.

Stephanie trades in cosmos for carpools when she marries a man with three kids. Her new role of full-time stepmom is challenging as she struggles to maintain some sense of her fun-loving, slightly irresponsible self.