Rita's life isn't what she used to dream about: She's unemployed, her younger daughter Shannon is a child prodigy, the older daughter Hallie makes her feel old, and even the mail-woman has a mouth on her. Is this the best she'll ever have?
Now that Rita has band practice to fit into her schedule, life is hectic. Hallie is against her boyfriend being in the band, but Kip feels it's his calling. Also, Rita is forced to lie to Shannon. Both things bode trouble.
Rita and Jay are going on a weekend get-away. When the babysitter cancels, Hallie volunteers for the job. At first Rita is against it, but Jay starts to turn her mind and Patty shows Rita how to use a hidden nanny-cam. What will it capture?
Hallie gets a job - at the store where Rita works. Is it possible for them to work together? How responsible will Hallie be with her paycheck? And how does working life affect her schoolwork?
Owen meets new friends at Jay's poker night. Rita fills in for Jay because he's late. She reveals Jay's soft spot to the others and he gets teased about it. Shannon is making a short film for school and casts Hallie and Kip as leads.
Rita wants the connect better with Hallie, and decides to do it through Kip. When she embarrasses Hallie by being seen having coffee with Kip, it's just the start of a bigger teenage crisis.
Rita is starting to overextend herself with volunteering. Jay gets sucked in. Then he finds unexpected benefits. But does that mean Rita has similar ones too? Hallie and Kip turn vegetarian to save animals. How long will it last?
Patty tells Rita that unbelievably, Kip - yes, Kip - may be cheating on Hallie. Rita and Patty go on a stakeout, and witness a hug. Rita and Jay decide to tell Hallie, which leads to unexpected results.
Rita gets the flu from Jay, but Patty is ready to watch Shannon. And they bond a little better than Rita likes... Jay tries a guitar video game with Kip and gets hooked, leaving Hallie out of the fun. Drastic measures are called for.
Rita's college-time band-mate Cindy contacts her via facebook, and wants to meet. Rita is upset because Cindy broke their band and is better off now than Rita. And Jay claims Cindy used to have the hots for her. Yet Rita agrees to meet.
Jay convinces Rita to accompany him to a business dinner with a potential big shot client. However, the client takes interest in Rita's band and offers them a gig at a corporate banquet. Jay fears it'll destroy the potential deal.
Valentine's Day. Though for Rita, it's not a special day, she over-talks Kip to buy a romantic gift for Hallie. When the others too have a romantic Valentine's Day, Rita starts longing for some romance in her life.
Rita gets promoted to a store manager and that causes problems with both Hallie and the band who have just landed a gig at a festival and should really practice hard.