Instant Mom

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’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 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.

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 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

Stephanie is excited about celebrating her first Mother's Day until she learns that the family plans to celebrate her on Stepmother's Day instead; Stephanie takes her mother to a day spa and gets some unexpected "mom" advice from a few experts who attempt to cheer her up.

Stephanie organizes a charity auction to inspire the children to give back; Stephanie goes to extreme measures to beat the previous fund-raising record.

Stephanie's old pal visits when Charlie's on a business trip, and Stephanie struggles to deal with the kids while living up to her old party-gal reputation.

Stephanie bribes Gabby and James to keep a secret when she hires an old boyfriend to install a new sound system for Charlie.