
In the Heck family, middle-age, middle-class, middle-America mom Frankie Heck (two-time Emmy winner Patricia Heaton) uses a sense of humor to try to steer her family through life's ups and downs as she tackles her career goals. Her unflappable husband, Mike (Neil Flynn), is a manager at the local quarry. Oldest son Axl is an obstinate young man; awkward daughter Sue cannot seem to find her niche -- despite much enthusiasm in her attempts -- and youngest son Brick is an unusual child whose best friend is his backpack.
Things don't go as planned when Mike and the kids give Frankie a day without the family as a Mother's Day gift.
Axl invites the wrong girl to the prom, then decides to stand her up; Sue tries to fit in with the school's B crowd; Brick bores Frankie and Mike with his one-man plays.
Frankie and Mike try to get Brick over his fear of crossing bridges; Axl competes against his nemesis for a job; Sue has trouble choosing a bathing suit.
Brick must write a daily journal for school or risk being held back; Axl has time left in his community service requirement; Sue must prove she had perfect attendance.