Phyllis' husband Lars has died. Broke, she and her daughter Bess move to San Francisco to live with Lars' mother and stepfather. Phyliss has trouble finding a job until she accepts one in a photographic studio with Lars' ex-girlfriend.
Phyllis believes she and Bess are growing apart so she decides to join her daughter in her activities. But visits to a new age therapy group and a disco make Phyllis even more conscious of the generation gap.
Phyllis can't mind her own business when she decides her boss needs assistance with his love life. Against everyone's advice she tries to fix things which only worsens the situation.
Bess wants to marry her boyfriend Warren so Phyllis arranges to meet his parents in the hopes of talking them out of it. They meet at the house but Phyllis is unaware that they are below average height and repeatedly says the wrong thing.
Phyllis meets a medium at the photography studio. A seancé to try to talk to Lars is soon in the works. The Judge and his mother think that it is a bunch of hooey.
Phyllis starts dating Harry Loomis, a wealthy man. Leo puts the idea in her head that Harry is spending all this money on her to get her in bed. Instead, he asks her to be his wife.
Bess keeps trying to rehearse a play with her acting partner, but things keep interrupting them. So she decides to move out on her own at age 17. Phyllis overreacts.
The Judge is getting an award. Once his party, including Phyllis, hears that Leo may attempt suicide, they all go to his houseboat to try to stop him. Are they too late?
The Judge's brother Julius comes for a visit. Mother Dexter is overjoyed by his visit. Julius needs money to start a new business, however, the Judge won't give him the money. Mother Dexter becomes mad.
Ralph wants to go steady with Bess. Bess doesn't, and turns Ralph down on a date. So Ralph then asks Phyllis to go to the play instead. Further dates are planned. Bess gets jealous.