Tv movie boy caring for his schizophrenic single mom, a writer. 80’s?

A boy lives with his single mother, a writer .
After she has an episode of schizophrenia (?) she almost loses custody. But the judge talks with the boy and decides he should stay with his mother.
Boy has Grover like toy, that ends up outside for while. Mother thinks there are aliens.
80’s or 90’s?