Sammy Parker’s (Alex D Linz) mom, Melanie Parker (Michelle Pfeiffer) is having a really bad day. Melanie was supposed to take both Sammy and Maggie Taylor (Mae Whitman) to school. However, Maggie’s father, Jack Taylor (George Clooney), forgot and all four ended up being late and missing the school field trip. Now both parents are stuck with their children for the day and each is having a very important day. Melanie, an architect, is having the meeting of a lifetime. Jack, a journalist, is trying to get a break in a career-making story. They decide to share the responsibility, Melanie taking both kids for part of the day and Jack taking them for the rest of the day. As the day progresses, mishaps happen. Although Melanie and Jack believe they can’t stand one another, they learn to work together and an unexpected friendship ensues.