Trading Mom

On the last day of school, Principal Leeby busts Jeremy for defending Harry against a bully, and also reprimands Harry for doing nothing and Elizabeth for holding (but not smoking) a friend's cigarette. He calls Mrs. Martin and schedules a home visit for the first day of summer vacation. The kids worry that their strict, nagging mother will dominate their break.

The siblings visit Mrs. Cavour in her garden, where the elderly gardener reveals an ancient spell that could make their mother disappear along with all memories of her. She hints at consequences for tampering with family bonds. The revelation plants a dangerous idea in the trio's minds.

Back home, the children are grounded for the entire summer vacation, losing camp, allowance, and any TV time. They grumble about their mother’s nagging while the house feels quieter and tenser. The spell's potential hangs over every planned activity.

That night, the siblings recite the spell and watch it take effect, erasing their mother from their daily lives. The house falls into a strange silence as memories of her presence fade overnight. They wake to a morning that feels both free and unnervingly empty.

The next morning, Principal Leeby arrives to discuss the trouble at school, but the Martin kids spin a tale about their mother leaving for an emergency. He remains suspicious and starts to doubt the family’s story. His mood signals the start of an official probe into their mother's disappearance.

After the visit, Leeby grows convinced there is more to the family's story and decides to contact social services. His decision introduces an external threat to the kids, who fear losing their only remaining support system. The family’s balance begins to fracture under the looming investigation.

Mrs. Cavour explains the Mommy Market, a place where any mother can be found, but buyers receive only three tokens. If a suitable mother isn’t found, they can never return. The concept feels like a desperate last resort, and the trio debates its moral cost.

The siblings select three potential mothers—a wealthy French woman, a competitive nature-hiker, and a Russian circus performer—but none offer the warmth and dedication they miss. Each failed encounter deepens their longing for the real mother they pushed away. The Mommy Market feels less like a solution and more like a trap.

After the third mother leaves, Leeby reveals he has contacted the police about the mother’s disappearance. The kids feel the search is spiraling out of control and fear a permanent separation from their mother. The external pressure intensifies their urge to undo what they started.

Mrs. Cavour clarifies that the spell can be broken only if the siblings collectively recall something about Mrs. Martin. The idea binds their fate to shared, honest memories rather than a magical shortcut. The children sense the gravity of what they are about to attempt.

Each child recalls a fond memory with their mother, weaving those moments into a single, powerful recollection. The spell reverses, and Mrs. Martin returns to life and home. The reunion brings relief, but the family remains wary of the consequences that led to this moment.

With their mother back, the family shares breakfast together and the grounding is reduced to one week. Mrs. Martin mentions that Principal Leeby will be visiting soon, signaling a return to normalcy with a distant awareness of what nearly happened. The atmosphere shifts from fear to cautious optimism.

Shortly before the credits, Principal Leeby reappears for a routine chat with Mrs. Martin, but steps into an animal trap set by the nature-hiker mother. The stunt underscores the ongoing tension and the unpredictable guardians over the family. The film ends on a note that safety remains fragile but the family remains together.