Colier Family The Coliers of Cleveland, Georgia, are a blended family on the brink. Dad Jason coddles his three young sons under the age of 5, but is hostile to his 13-year-old stepdaughter, Madison, whom he adopted last year. Jason showers his little boys with affection but his relationship with Madison is frosty and contentious she doesn't call him "Dad" and says he doesn't seem like one; he counters by saying she's a pathological liar and carries on "like a moron." Jason also spoon feeds his three-year-old and holds the older boys back from gaining valuable life skills by doing everything for them. Stay-at-home mom Dawn feels caught in the middle when Jason clashes with Madison and undermines her time-out attempts with the toddlers, but Jo pushes the couple to closely examine whether or not they want to continue in this marriage. Can Supernanny set this family on a better track?
Simmons Family Debra and Tracy are pushover parents with two sets of twins, ages four and seven, who call all the shots and eat a diet packed with sugar and unhealthy food choices. Four-year-old Parker calls Mom a "butthead" with no consequences; Debra hides in the bathroom to eat a meal and get a moment's peace. Dad Tracy works from home, and when his rambunctious children need disciplining, he meekly implores them not to misbehave. They respond by locking him out of their bedroom! Can Jo Frost help this family?
Phelps Family Jo Frost travels to the deep South - Hayden, Alabama - and faces off with Amy Phelps, who defends her right to spank her three boisterous boys. Dad Jimmy is open to change, but Amy won't budge, and this issue is bringing their marriage to the breaking point. Jo is adamantly opposed to corporal punishment can she show these parents how to get even better results the Supernanny way?
Naskiewicz Family A Florida family with four children ranging in age from two to twelve is ruled by the crown princeZachary, an impulsive, tantrum-prone four-year-old. Jen, a beleaguered stay-at-home Mom, cowers to his every whim, and doesn't enforce any kind of discipline. Her approach is to gently enfold the children in hugs or eventually give in. Roy, a painting contractor, would rather work on the computer at the end of the long day than help Jen with the kids, but when he does try to impose rules and consequences, his short fuse and yelling intimidate the children and have driven his wife to threaten divorce. Jen tearfully tells Jo in her submission tape, "This is our last shot." Can Jo show these two parents the tools to not only tame Zachary but repair their relationship?
McGrath Family Bill and Tammy McGrath of Hamlin, New York, have three beautiful young children, and their middle son, Aiden, 5, was recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Managing his illness is very anxiety-provoking for Tammy, because she saw her father die of diabetes at just 46 years of age. She sees Aiden's diagnosis as her worst fears realized, and mealtime has become a battlefield. Aiden makes power plays, refusing to eat, which not only threatens his own health and frightens Tammy, but causes problems for both parents in adjusting Aiden's insulin levels. The other kids, Liam, 4, and Paige, 9, feel their parents' distraction and are frustrated by it - Paige hides out in her bedroom and Liam acts out aggressively. Jo pinpoints Bill and Tammy's problems communicating effectively and enforcing discipline - their versions of timeouts are useless. Can she help Bill and Tammy regain control of their family?
Super-Manny Special: Griswold Family Working dad Allan has a short temper and terrifies his children with his yelling and threats. Roberta, a stay-at-home-mom, feels like a failure and has ceded control of the house to the kids. She's very negative, calling her house a "hellhole," and has given up on ever getting cooperation from her four children. Seven-year-old Joe has anger management issues: He yells, hits, curses and flips the bird regularly; a trip to the grocery store shows him repeatedly kicking and punching older sister, Lauren, 11, breaking glass and writing the F-word in the freezer condensation. Brianna, at 16, berates her mother and has taken up underage drinking - she's already been hospitalized for alcohol poisoning. Even toddler Alex, 2, has faced the wrath of his older brother and his enraged dad. Enter Super-Manny, and Mom says, "Thank God, help is here." Mike Ruggles is a warm Chicagoan with over 17 years' experience as a teacher and developmental therapist for children. He focuses on the specific challenges presented by this family. After an observation period, he kicks the parents out of the house and gives the kids a voice by using role-playing techniques to determine some of the root problems, as the parents watch from a monitor. In the Griswolds' case, this provides a tearful comeuppance for Mom and Dad as Joe confesses his fear of his father and imitates his dad's rages. In addition, Mike has some tough talk for Roberta about the continued effect of her negativity on the family and her marriage -- if things continue down this path, failure is assured. He walks the parents through challenging scenarios with Joe, educating them step by step. Super-Manny also creates an unforgettable interventional moment with Brianna, forcing her to confront the potential consequences of alcohol abuse by meeting survivors of car accidents that involved drinking and driving. Young Lauren weeps as Mike leaves the house later, in fear that her family will revert to their old habits. But Super-Manny has some powerful and innovative ways to break through to everyone including taking the whole family on a camping trip. It's a Griswold Family Vacation unlike any other, and it will change their lives.
