Ep 12. Mom of the Year

In season 4 episode 12 of Growing Pains, titled "Mom of the Year," the Seaver family is preparing for the annual "Mother of the Year" contest. Maggie, who won the coveted title last year, is determined to defend her crown and prove once again that she is the best mother in the neighborhood.

Meanwhile, Mike is struggling to find the perfect gift for his girlfriend Kate, who is upset that he forgot their anniversary. He turns to his siblings for help, but they are all busy with their own problems. Carol is trying to impress a cute guy by pretending to be interested in politics, while Ben is trying to impress a girl by pretending to be a surfer.

As the day of the contest approaches, Maggie becomes increasingly competitive, which causes tension within the family. She starts to neglect her responsibilities as a mother, preferring instead to focus on winning the contest. This creates problems for Mike, who needs her help to plan a surprise for his girlfriend.

On the day of the contest, all the mothers in the neighborhood gather at the community center to compete for the title of "Mother of the Year." Maggie is confident that she will win, but she is surprised to find out that one of the judges is her own mother. This makes Maggie nervous, as she has never felt like she lived up to her mother's expectations.

The contest starts with the mothers showcasing their skills in different categories, such as cooking, decorating, and organizing. Maggie does well in all the categories, but she is flustered when she sees that Carol has entered the contest as well. Carol, who is dressed in her best suit and tie, delivers a speech about the importance of family values that impresses the judges.

As the contest comes to an end, the judges announce the winner of the "Mother of the Year" title. Maggie is hopeful that she will win, but to her surprise, the judges announce that the winner is Carol. Maggie is disappointed, but she soon realizes that the contest was not about winning or losing. It was about celebrating mothers and all the hard work they do to raise their families.

After the contest, the Seaver family comes together to celebrate Mother's Day with a special surprise for Maggie. Mike has organized a picnic in the park, complete with all her favorite foods and activities. Maggie realizes that she doesn't need a title to be a good mother – all she needs is love for her children.

"Mom of the Year" is a heartwarming episode that celebrates the importance of motherhood and family. It shows that winning isn't everything, and that sometimes the greatest reward is the love and appreciation of those we care about.