It is Boxing Day, and the Brockman family have to carry out a special mission for Grandad. They encounter car problems, child problems, parent problems, emotional problems and World War Two. If the adults can't sort things out, the children will have to. Like all families, everything has changed and everything remains the same.

Grandad is ill, which brings Auntie Angela and her new friend over from America. Ben has a crisis of confidence over his starring role in Spartacus the Musical and Karen still hopes her escaped hamster will be found.

There are more crossed lines, missed deadlines and communication nightmares as Mum and Dad try to find out where their children are. Jake is trying to get home with no money or means of transport, Ben is meeting lots of interesting strangers, and Karen is having a life-changing conversation with her headmistress.

Dad and Ben go on a winter camping trip, where Ben shows off his survival skills. Jake has to decide about a gap year, and Mum has had enough of Australian god-daughter Stacey staying.

The arrival of Dad's god-daughter from Australia has an unfortunate effect on the Brockman household.

Karen indulges her competitive instincts, Ben delves into the mysteries of human psychology and Jake appoints himself as a parenting expert. Meanwhile, Mum falls victim to a dysfunctional printer and Dad is hounded by a vigilant Daily Mail reader.

Karen is having trouble adapting to big school, Ben is auditioning for a part in the school musical even though he has a voice like a walrus, and Jake has made a foolish - and possibly permanent - fashion choice. Meanwhile, Mum and Dad try very hard not to interfere or send disastrously explosive emails.