Meet the Alpha Mums, headed by Amanda, very much the queen bee. Everything is organised, clean and sparkly — even the kitchen cork board is a statement of success. At the other end of the spectrum, we meet Liz, who is totally chaotic and feels the kids should enjoy free expression; if they want to do kamikaze jumps off the sofa, she drags a mattress round for safety. Somewhere between Amanda and Liz is Julia, a successful events organiser. But when her mother Marion decides she is no longer going to be the free child-sitter and school-run taxi, Julia finds her organisation skills are taxed and nowhere near the level of the Alpha Mums. Also in the mix is Kevin, the stay-at-home dad, who, rather than fighting against that, is embracing it with gusto — much to the irritation of the other mums.
Julia throws a birthday party for Ivy, but with her mom refusing to help, Julia must rely on Liz and Kevin's party skills along with her own event-organizing savvy to make it a success.
Julia gets involved in a school fundraiser, where she hopes to impress a former colleague. Kevin has a battle with the cloakroom, and despite Anne's protests, Liz takes care of the bar.
A pool party ruins Julia's plans right before an important event at work. Liz looks for a date, and Kevin gets annoyed by a new dad on the scene, who goes way back with Amanda.
Julia's in-laws arrive to help while her husband Paul is away. Luckily, Kevin is around and loves old people. Amanda reluctantly gives Liz her old coat, which has a surprising effect on Liz.
Anne's carpool propels her into the limelight. Kevin finds himself in the role of confidant for Amanda, who shares a deep secret with him. Liz and Julia's friendship teeters on the brink.
Julia's childcare woes are over when she finds the perfect nanny, but her friendship with Liz becomes strained. Amanda keeps a low profile after Kevin blurts out her secret.
A new mum at the school gates attracts the attention of Julia, Liz and Kevin. Does high-flyer Meg really have it all? Meanwhile, Julia agonises over a promotion and the gang have a night out.
Julia reluctantly agrees to help Amanda launch her new shop. But a careless online post threatens to destroy her good work.
Julia finds that working from home is impossible due to all the other tasks loaded upon her. Liz finds herself at a loose end when her youngest starts nursery.
Kevin reluctantly hosts a last minute Halloween party. Julia takes the kids trick or treating in an attempt to meet a celebrity who has just moved into the neighbourhood.
The gang are delighted when Kevin books a cottage for them to spend half term in the countryside with all their kids.
Julia struggles to abide by the rules at sports day. Kevin is devastated that a work presentation means he will miss the dads’ race.
In Motherland, Christmas comes but once a year, and thank God for that, because it’s time for Amanda’s annual festive soiree (dress code: tinsel and tiaras). Nothing says Christmas like evil Santa, a 30-foot Christmas tree, Anne’s Christmas cocktails and very strict rules about where you can and can’t drink mulled wine. Only Meg has an official party invite, but Julia, Kevin and Liz tag along as her plus-threes. They struggle to fit in with the Alpha crowd, but for Julia, it’s still a welcome distraction from playing festive butler to a house full of in-laws. Meanwhile, Liz is trying to ignore Christmas altogether, whilst Kevin is single-handedly stuffing, wrapping, roasting, par-boiling, laying up, washing up and decorating himself into an early grave.
As a nit pandemic sweeps the school, Julia stands accused of triggering a second wave, so she throws a nit treatment party that brings all the drama (and headlice) to her door.
Liz has a shock as she helps Kevin navigate his divorce, Amanda battles Meg over trampoline club, and Julia considers religion in a bid to get Ivy into the right secondary school.
Mother’s Day leaves Julia feeling ignored while Meg gets spoilt rotten. Amanda endures a passive aggressive lunch with her appalling mother Felicity, played by Joanna Lumley.
Julia, Liz and Meg endure the school coach trip from hell with their nemesis Ashley (Martha Howe Douglas) while Kevin helps Amanda pack up her shop with unimaginable consequences.
At the PTA charity FUNraiser, Julia resolves to leave Paul for her builder Garry, Kev’s attempts to clear the air with Amanda backfire, and Anne finally loses her rag.
School’s out for the festive season, so the mums (and Kevin) are busy prepping for the ultimate in blended Christmas celebrations.
