The School for Good Mothers

The police call Frida, explaining they have her toddler daughter, Harriet, whom she splits custody with her ex-husband, Gust. After long-term struggles with insomnia, depression, and heartbreak, Frida left Harriet home alone for what was supposed to be 10 minutes while she got coffee. However, she stopped by her work to get a file, then lost track of time answering emails. Harriet was alone for two hours, and Frida’s neighbor called the police after hearing crying.

The officers interview Frida, who writes a newspaper about professors’ research and works from home on days she has Harriet. Harriet will now go home with Gust and his new girlfriend Susanna, and Frida might lose custody. Harriet and Frida embrace, and Harriet begins to fall asleep on her mother’s shoulder before being pulled away.

Frida moved to Philadelphia with Gust; they previously lived in Brooklyn but wanted a better place to raise children. However, shortly after they moved, they got divorced. A social worker, Ms. Torres, interviews Frida about her mental health history and explains that over the next 60 days, Frida will have three hour-long, supervised visits with Harriet, during which Child Protective Services (CPS) will collect data.