Homer surprises Marge with tickets for a three-hour visit to a health spa, arranging for Grandpa to watch the kids. While they are gone, Bart is found to have head lice at school, and after bullies steal her shoes and she's hit on the head with a soccer ball, it appears that Lisa is a victim of neglect. Principal Skinner calls the county welfare office and the kids are put in foster care at the Flanders's home.

Horrified at the thought of letting the Flanders raise their children, Marge and Homer plead their case in court. The judge orders them to complete a class in child rearing in order to get the children back.

When Ned finds out that none of the Simpson childredn are baptized, he rushes them to the Springfield River, intending to baptize them himself. Homer learns of Flanders's plans just as he and Marge complete their class. Rushing to the river, they stop Bart, Lisa, and Maggie from being baptized. The family is reunited.