Parental Guidance 2012

Artie Decker, a dedicated sports commentator for the Fresno Grizzlies, faces an unexpected and disheartening change when he’s replaced due to his outdated methods and lack of familiarity with today’s social media landscape. This news brings a sense of both disappointment and acceptance, which he shares with his wife, Diane. Just as they start to digest this surprising news, their daughter Alice and her husband Phil invite them to look after their three energetic grandchildren—Harper, Turner, and Barker—while they attend a business conference in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

As Artie and Diane step into their new roles as grandparents, they quickly realize that they have different parenting philosophies compared to their daughter and son-in-law, who are known for their overprotective, helicopter parenting style. The couple’s first hurdles come as they discover the various challenges their grandchildren are grappling with: Harper’s academically intense environment, Turner’s stutter, and Barker’s imaginary companion, Carl the Kangaroo. In their effort to bond with the kids, Artie and Diane’s attempts to connect seem to conflict sharply with Phil and Alice’s strict guidelines.

Just when the situation seems to come to a head, Alice returns prematurely from her work on redesigning the X Games website. This gives Artie the chance to pursue his own aspirations by securing an interview for a new sports commentator position. However, in an effort to win the affection of his grandchildren, he veers away from Alice’s parenting rules, indulging them with junk food and horror movies—much to Alice’s dismay when she finds out. Yet, Diane steps in, reminding Alice that to truly be good grandparents, they must allow their grandchildren a chance to explore and enjoy life.

As tensions escalate, an outing with Barker to the skate park turns chaotic when Artie loses sight of him. The event makes headlines, with footage of the infamous Tony Hawk nearly colliding with Barker as he skates, much to the shock of their family. The day continues to unravel when Diane reprimands Artie for encouraging Turner to face his bully, despite it conflicting with Artie’s earlier lesson about confidence. This leads to a heartfelt dialogue where Artie recounts the legendary story of the Shot Heard ‘Round The World, highlighting the significance of self-advocacy.

Upon returning to Atlanta, Phil and Alice are understandably rattled by what they witness on the news regarding Barker. The family’s dynamic intensifies further when Alice discovers that Diane allowed Harper to attend a party right before her important violin recital, all while Barker grapples with the imaginary loss of Carl. This revelation sparks a series of events that challenge their family ties and bring to the forefront their differing parenting styles.

In a moment of vulnerability, Alice finds common ground with Artie and Diane, ultimately deciding to let Harper forgo her music ambitions. This choice leads to noticeable changes in Harper, who seems to lose her once vibrant passion. Seizing the moment, Turner steps forward, showcasing his newfound confidence as his stutter fades away during his heartfelt recitation of the historic Shot Heard ‘Round The World commentary. The charged atmosphere feels almost electric, as his words echo the essence of self-expression.

Meanwhile, the underlying rifts in Artie and Diane’s relationship with their grandchildren become clearer, revealing numerous unhealed emotional wounds. Yet, Harper’s decision to step back from her recital inadvertently opens the door for reconnection with her grandparents, who had felt distanced until now. Artie discovers a refreshing purpose as he becomes a commentator for an Atlanta Little League Baseball team, reigniting his passion for the game. As the story unfolds, it showcases the resilience of family bonds, illustrating that through adversity, a journey towards growth, understanding, and forgiveness is truly possible.