I Don't Know How She Does It 2011

As Kate Reddy (Sarah Jessica Parker) goes about her bustling day, she’s jolted by the enthusiastic reminder of an impending kindergarten bake sale from her daughter Emily (Emma Rayne Lyle). To hasten her efforts, Kate decides to grab a store-bought pie paired with a charming glass container. Upon her return, she faces the lukewarm greeting of her husband Richard (Greg Kinnear), as exhaustion thwarts their attempts to rekindle their romantic spark. As the night unfolds, Kate sneaks a moment to check on her sleeping children, including her spirited 2-year-old son Ben (portrayed by Theodore and Julius Goldberg), only to feel overwhelmed and frustrated when Richard dismisses her plea for him to stay home.

The dawn brings some comfort, as a warm embrace from Ben and a serendipitous meet-up with her friend Allison (Christina Hendricks), a single mother and lawyer, leads to a cathartic exchange about the struggles of balancing work and family life. Their conversation introduces Kate to the self-styled “Momsters,” including Wendy Best (Busy Philipps) and Janine LoPietro (Sarah Shahi), both of whom personify a more conventional parental style.

At her job, Kate receives a new assignment from her boss Clark Cooper (Kelsey Grammer), pairing her up with the intriguing Jack Abelhammer (Pierce Brosnan). Navigating this professional relationship, Kate feels the growing weight of her dual roles at home and in her career. Commuting to New York City, she grapples with feelings of guilt and anxiety about leaving her children in the care of the unreliable babysitter Paula.

As her interactions with Jack deepen, Kate begins to respect him for his character, despite their differing life philosophies. Compounding her struggles is Momo (Olivia Munn), Kate’s junior research analyst, who continually critiques her approach to balancing work and home life. The arrival of Momo’s pregnancy announcement jolts Kate into confronting the fragility of her own relationships as Richard’s mother Marla (Jane Curtin) openly criticizes Kate’s life choices, lamenting the unconventional family dynamic she perceives for her grandchildren.

Amidst these pressures, Kate wrestles with her conflicting desires for independence and connection. The evening leaves her sharing a meal and some laughs with Jack at a Cleveland bowling alley, all while reassuring Allison that there’s no romantic interest there. However, as she announces to Momo her intent to take five days off work for her family, the twist lies in Momo’s resolution to keep the baby, promising new adventures ahead.

In a determined retreat to Atlanta, Kate immerses herself in family time, filled with joyous activities, including planning an impressive Thanksgiving feast. This interlude is punctuated by Ben’s first words, “Bye Bye, Mama,” creating a cherished memory for Kate. Nevertheless, reality strikes when Momo’s morning sickness escalates, yet Kate remains hopeful, buoyed by Jack’s encouragement regarding their pitch.

Disaster suddenly unfolds as Ben tumbles down the stairs, stirring panic within Kate. She rushes back to Atlanta, leading to heightened tensions with Richard, culminating in a promise to bond with their family by building a snowman. At work, a heartfelt confession from Jack catches her by surprise; however, despite appreciating his feelings, Kate remains steadfastly committed to Richard. With a swift goodbye to Jack, she hurries to Emily’s kindergarten, where a tender moment shared with Richard hints at reunification.

At the bake sale, armed with her store-bought pie, Kate shines brightly as the Momsters respond with approval. A few months later, the cycle of life continues, as Momo welcomes a baby boy into their fold, heralding an exciting new chapter for everyone involved.