Instant Mom

Main Cast

Episode Guide

Season 1

• Episode 1: Pilot
  Aired: Sep 29, 2013

  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.

• Episode 2: The Lying Game
  Aired: Oct 6, 2013

  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.

• Episode 3: Harp & Soul
  Aired: Oct 13, 2013

  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.

• Episode 4: Forty-Two Inches of Pure Evil
  Aired: Oct 20, 2013

  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.

• Episode 5: Not a Date
  Aired: Oct 27, 2013

  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.

• Episode 6: Rock Mom
  Aired: Nov 3, 2013

  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.

• Episode 7: Dances With She-Wolves
  Aired: Nov 10, 2013

  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.

• Episode 8: In Blog We Trust
  Aired: Nov 24, 2013

  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.

• Episode 9: The Gift of the Maggies
  Aired: Dec 8, 2013

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

• Episode 10: Staycation
  Aired: Jan 5, 2014

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

• Episode 11: Babysit This
  Aired: Jan 12, 2014

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

• Episode 12: Dine Hard
  Aired: Jan 19, 2014

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

• Episode 13: True Romance
  Aired: Feb 9, 2014

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

• Episode 14: A Kids' Choice
  Aired: Mar 29, 2014

  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.

• Episode 15: Chore Money, Chore Problems
  Aired: Apr 3, 2014

  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.

• Episode 16: Requiem for Mr. Floppity
  Aired: Apr 10, 2014

  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.

• Episode 17: Buy Any Jeans Necessary
  Aired: Apr 17, 2014

  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.

• Episode 18: Distant Mom
  Aired: Apr 24, 2014

  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.

• Episode 19: Camp Fear
  Aired: May 1, 2014

  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.

• Episode 20: Not Your Mother's Day
  Aired: May 8, 2014

  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.

• Episode 21: The Last Auction Hero
  Aired: May 29, 2014

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

• Episode 22: 48 Hours
  Aired: Jun 5, 2014

  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.

• Episode 23: Should Old Acquaintance Be for Hire
  Aired: Jun 12, 2014

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

Season 2

• Episode 1: Sanders Again
  Aired: Oct 2, 2014

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

• Episode 2: An Egg by Any Other Name
  Aired: Oct 9, 2014

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

• Episode 3: Gabby's Game Boy
  Aired: Oct 16, 2014

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

• Episode 4: Children of the Candy Corn
  Aired: Oct 23, 2014

  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.

• Episode 5: Teacher's Pest
  Aired: Nov 6, 2014

  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.

• Episode 6: James Goes Pro
  Aired: Nov 13, 2014

  James learns that playing on a professional video gaming team is not what he thought it would be.

• Episode 7: Drill Team
  Aired: Nov 20, 2014

  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.

• Episode 8: Popular Mechanics
  Aired: Dec 4, 2014

  James becomes popular when he is mistaken for a bad boy; Stephanie lectures James about doing the right thing.

• Episode 9: Not Full House
  Aired: Apr 15, 2015

  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.

• Episode 10: How You Bike Me Now
  Aired: Apr 22, 2015

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

• Episode 11: My Stupid Sweet Sixteen
  Aired: Apr 29, 2015

  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.

• Episode 12: Yelly Monster
  Aired: May 6, 2015

  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.

• Episode 13: Ain't Misbehavin' or Else
  Aired: May 13, 2015

  Stephanie's neighbor has better success getting the children to do things.

• Episode 14: Instant Prom
  Aired: May 20, 2015

  Noah asks Gabby to the prom, but she worries about fitting in at the after party; Stephanie and Charlie get overprotective.

• Episode 15: Don't Worry, Be Maggie
  Aired: May 27, 2015

  After reacting to Gabby's desire to get a tattoo, Stephanie worries that she is becoming like Maggie, and makes efforts to prove otherwise.

• Episode 16: Ghost Busted
  Aired: Jun 3, 2015

  Stephanie sees a horror movie with Gabby, despite Charlie's objections, and Stephanie winds up being frightened. Her fears then escalate when James tries to persuade her their house is haunted.

Season 3

• Episode 1: Fear Factor
  Aired: Sep 19, 2015

  After facing up to her fear of swimming, Stephanie forces the rest of the family to face its fears, as well.

• Episode 2: Mysteries of Maggie
  Aired: Sep 19, 2015

  Aaron learns that Maggie has a secret career as a romance novelist, but when she denies it, the family tries to get her to reveal her secret identity.

• Episode 3: Ship of Fool
  Aired: Sep 26, 2015

  When Stephanie tries to teach James and Aaron about selfless generosity, the whole family starts helping Mr. Ebnetter for the wrong reasons.

• Episode 4: No Retreat, No Surrender
  Aired: Sep 26, 2015

  Stephanie and Charlie stop punishing Gabby and James for fighting, in hopes that they will work things out by themselves.

• Episode 5: Bawamo Shazam
  Aired: Oct 3, 2015

  Maggie houses Gabby for a weekend to straighten Gabby out after she argues with her parents. But, they get along surprisingly well, so Stephanie decides to show Gabby the other side of Maggie.

• Episode 6: Driving Ms. Crazy
  Aired: Oct 3, 2015

  Gabby gets a ticket, forcing her to drive with Stephanie alongside.

• Episode 7: Basket Case
  Aired: Oct 10, 2015

  Stephanie helps Aaron win a game against James, but Charlie worries about the consequences. Elsewhere, Gabby is stuck in the middle of a fight between Stephanie and Gabby.

• Episode 8: Turning a Blind Eye
  Aired: Oct 10, 2015

  Maggie bribes James and Aaron to pretend to be her younger brothers when she starts dating an older man. Also: Gabby gets punished for having Noah visit when her parents are out.

• Episode 9: Thumper for President
  Aired: Oct 17, 2015

  James gets embarrassed by a girl he likes, so he runs against her in a school election. Elsewhere: Charlie asks Gabby to help him replace a lost wedding wing.

• Episode 10: Bag Lady
  Aired: Oct 17, 2015

  Gabby loans Stephanie's new purse to a friend, but it comes back ruined and she has to replace it.

• Episode 11: Off the Hook
  Aired: Oct 24, 2015

  James gets a "get out of jail free" card from Stephanie and Charlie and the kids exchange the card among themselves.

• Episode 12: Jamal in the Family
  Aired: Oct 24, 2015

  The Phillips get a visit from their cousin, but Charlie worries he'll be a bad influence on James. Also: Aaron and Maggie help Gabby prepare for a date.

• Episode 13: Friendly Fire
  Aired: Oct 31, 2015

  Stephanie asks Aaron to befriend a client's son, not realizing Aaron is terrified of him; Gabby saves Maggie's life.

• Episode 14: Two Guys and a Gabby
  Aired: Oct 31, 2015

  Gabby uses a childhood friend to make Noah jealous; Stephanie tries to correct Aaron when he accidentally calls her Mom.

• Episode 15: Crimes of Fashion
  Aired: Nov 7, 2015

  Stephanie helps James lead a student rebellion when the principal cracks down on the dress code; Gabby teaches Charlie how to use social media.

• Episode 16: Smarty Bowl
  Aired: Nov 7, 2015

  Stephanie needs to get Gabby's help to stay on top of Aaron's homework so that she will not disappoint him.

• Episode 17: S-A-Tease
  Aired: Nov 14, 2015

  The night before Gabby takes the SATs, a secret about Stephanie is exposed; James and Aaron have a hard time sharing a room.

• Episode 18: International Incident
  Aired: Nov 14, 2015

  James tries to trick Stephanie and Charlie into thinking one of his friends is actually a foreign exchange student.

• Episode 19: Yoot There It Is
  Aired: Nov 21, 2015

  James and Gabby try to make a business out of selling Grandma Maggie's fruit snacks, but when she finds out, she wants a piece of the action.

• Episode 20: Walk Like a Boy
  Aired: Nov 21, 2015

  After Aaron is brought home by the police, family services must determine whether Stephanie and Charlie are doing a good enough job as parents.

• Episode 21: Dollar Sign
  Aired: Dec 5, 2015

  Stephanie decides that Gabby needs to get a job and earn money for her car; Maggie and James try to teach the older generations how to speak like teenagers.

• Episode 22: Bug Out
  Aired: Dec 5, 2015

  Stephanie blames the family for Aaron's alleged funk; they try to change their habits for a week but this only results in more trouble.

• Episode 23: Playa Hata
  Aired: Dec 12, 2015

  Charlie approves of a boy that Gabby's interested in, which makes her doubt her decision; James finds himself with two girlfriends at the same time.

• Episode 24: Hourly Rage
  Aired: Dec 12, 2015

  Gabby is the group leader for her school project but when Stephanie discovers that she's acting like a tyrant, she gets involved; Stephanie somehow ends up doing all the work.

• Episode 25: Gone Batty
  Aired: Dec 19, 2015

  Gabby finds out that her ex's new girlfriend is using him and tries to expose the truth but everyone thinks she's jealous; Charlie, Aaron and Maggie search for a bat.

• Episode 26: Ain't Over Till It's Over
  Aired: Dec 19, 2015

  Gabby finds out that her ex's new girlfriend is using him and tries to expose the truth but everyone thinks she's jealous; Charlie, Aaron and Maggie search for a bat.