Heaven knows

Round 16: May 2026

Sam Cooper is 48, Grace is 43, Madelyn and Ross are 15 and James is 10.

(Greg is 33 and Jeremy is 15.)

Narrated by Sam.

Ross came out as gay last year and I'd be lying if I said I was happy about it. I didn't say anything to him about it but I guess he noticed because at some point it felt like he spent more time at his boyfriend's house than at home. I'm okay with it now that I've gotten used to the idea of my son having a boyfriend. Seeing him happy is what matters the most.

Rivers and roads

Round 16: January 2026

Jack Robinson is 43, Paige is 42, Todd is 14 and Emma is 5.

(Grace is 43 and Skye is 14.)

Narrated by Jack.

I had to hire a new worker because the cashier I had at Farmer's Market wasn't so thrilled at working on the farm. I'm quite happy about the change though because Paula really seems to enjoy working here and that's always a plus. It's much nicer to work with someone who doesn't complain about getting dirt under their nails or having to stay outside all day. She comes by the farm two or three times a week. We always invite her inside for breakfast first before heading out to the greenhouse.

Breathe in breathe out

Round 16: January 2025

Ross Cooper is 14.

I finally told Madelyn. I had to tell someone and it just felt natural it'd be Maddie. I dragged her to my room after school and we sat on the floor face to face like we always do. I had this whole speech prepared in my head but I got so nervous in the end that I just sort of blurted it out in two simple words.

"I'm gay!"

Christmas lights, 2024

Round 15: December 2024

Sam Cooper is 46, Grace is 41, Madelyn and Ross are 13 and James is 8.

(Jeremy is 13.)

Narrated by Madelyn Cooper.

We're on Christmas break from school now which means we get to hang out more with our friends who are not from our school. Julia is Riley's girlfriend but Georgina is up for grabs. I've been sort of trying to push Ross and her together but it's just not happening.

Flake

Round 15: May 2024

Cal and Elissa Cooper are 62.

Narrated by Cal Cooper.

I got the flu this spring and it felt like I would never get better. Secretly I kind of enjoy lounging all day in my pajamas but I know Elissa was getting worried that I'd need to go to the hospital. Luckily we have a doctor in the family and Grace assured me - and Elissa - that it was just a regular flu and that I just needed to rest.

Later won't wait

Round 15: March 2024

Zach Whitfield is 20, Josh Cooper and Lilly Fielding are 19.
(Regan is 60 and Grace is 41.)

Narrated by Zach Whitfield.

Josh is constantly surrounded by the girls that live in our dorm. It wouldn't bother me at all if he wasn't my cousin's boyfriend. I know he probably wouldn't go any further than flirting but he should at least have the decency to do it somewhere else.

Some die young

Round 15: August 2023

Patrick Marlowe is 76, Alexandra Hayes is 49, Quinn is 47, Aaron and Ethan are 15 and Jeremy is 12.

(Emily is 15.)

Narrated by Alexandra Hayes.

Having three teenagers in the house is sure way to drive any adult crazy. It feels like the boys are going through every emotion every day. Aaron and Ethan can be at each other's throats at any time.

Pumpkin soup

Round 15: April 2023


Kurt Robinson is 67, Tina is 35, Frieda is 15 and Tim is 2.
(Jack and Grace are 40.)

Narrated by Tina Robinson.

Frieda moved in to live with us last year and it hasn't gone as well as Kurt expected. He was thinking that his little girl is going to live with us but Frieda's not a little girl anymore. They mostly clash about school and her boyfriend. She's been getting quite poor grades lately and Kurt thinks it's all because of this boy.

Chariot

Round 14: Summer 2022


Sam Cooper is 44, Grace is 39, Ross and Madelyn are 11 and James is 6.
(Kurt is 66, Tina is 34 and Tim is 1.)

Narrated by Grace Cooper

Our kids are not so little anymore. The twins are independent enough to get themselves and James breakfast after Sam and I have gone to work. In the beginning of their summer holiday I tried waking them up before I left for work but they kept whining about having to get up so early. Now I just let them sleep.

Somewhere only we know

Round 14: Autumn 2021


Kurt Robinson is 65, Tina is 33 and Tim is 11 months.
(Frieda is 13.)

Narrated by Kurt Robinson.

Tina's maternity leave ended about a month ago and she got back to working in the hospital. She usually gets Tim out of the crib the moment he wakes up so that she can spend at least some time with him in the morning.

Unfinished business

Round 14: Winter 2021


Liv Harris is 23.
(Niall and Erin are both 26.)

Narrated by Liv Harris

I went for an early dinner at Tom's Diner the other day and saw Niall sitting at a table with our landlady Stephanie. I didn't know they even knew each other well so I decided to see what's going on.

Belief

Round 13: Spring 2020


Sam Cooper is 42, Grace is 37, Madelyn and Ross are 9 and James is 4.
(Jack is 37, Paige is 36, Nyah and Denise are 34.)

Narrated by Grace Cooper.

I'm still shocked about dad's new relationship. I'm happy he's found someone but getting a stepmother that's 5 years younger than me is not what I was expecting. And they're having a baby too!

The kids are a bit puzzled as well. The twins don't remember their grandma because they were so little when she died and James wasn't even born then. They keep asking all kinds of questions about grandpa's new lady friend.

Somebody to love

Round 13: Spring 2020


Kurt Robinson is 64, Jack is 37, Paige is 36, Frieda is 12 and Todd is 8.
(Grace is 37 and Tina is 32.)

Narrated by Kurt Robinson.

I've been secretly dating this wonderful young woman called Tina for about a year now. We first met years ago when she was a bartender in the restaurant where I work but we then lost touch for years. I met her again last year and we hit it off immediately.

Vertigo

Round 13: Autumn 2019


Alexander and Bobbie Greene are 68, Patsy and Camryn are 28 and Mia is 5.

Narrated by Camryn Greene

Patsy and I have been talking a lot lately about having another child. Mia is already 5 and we feel we're all ready for a new addition to our family. Adopting Mia was a great experience so we wouldn't mind doing it again. We've also talked about other options, mainly artificial insemination. Patsy has always wanted to get pregnant so she would be the one carrying the child.

Happy Birthday, Autumn 2019

Alexa Harper is on her third trimester now but she hasn't been feeling very well lately. She finally lets Will take her to the hospital.

If this is it

Round 13: Winter 2019


Patrick Marlowe is 72, Vicki is 68, Alexandra Hayes is 45, Quinn is 43, Aaron and Ethan are 11 and Jeremy is 8.
(Stephen is 18.)

Narrated by Alexandra Hayes

I got a call to work that Quinn had been in a car accident. He drove to Brixton University that morning to enroll into the master's program. On the way back some lunatic had rammed him off the road! The police caught the guy and he was drunk.

I rushed to the hospital immediately. I guess I looked quite panicky because doctor Grace Cooper grabbed me by my arms and told me that Quinn was doing alright considering the circumstances. I felt a huge wave of relief.

I stand corrected

Round 12: Winter 2018


Sam Cooper is 40, Grace is 35, Ross and Madelyn are 7 and James is 2.

Narrated by Grace Cooper

We've been talking about getting a pet ever since we moved into this house. Initially Sam wanted to get a German Shepherd because he has worked with them in the military but I thought a smaller dog would be better. He finally gave in and we bought a Miniature Schnauzer male called Oscar.

It didn't take long before Oscar charmed Sam. The kids absolutely adore him and sometimes Madelyn and Ross even start fighting because they both want to play with him the moment they come home from school.

Too many birds

Round 11: Autumn 2016


Sam Cooper is 38, Grace is 33, Madelyn and Ross are 5 and James is 11 months.

Narrated by Grace Cooper

I've been at home with James but I think I'll get back to work next year. He'll be old enough to stay with the nanny then. I've enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom during his first months but I miss work already.

On melancholy hill

Round 11: Autumn 2016


Kurt Robinson is 60, Jack is 33, Paige is 32, Frieda is 8 and Todd is 4.

Narrated by Jack Robinson

I would be lost without Paige. She does so much around the farm even though she has her own demanding career in the military. I don't know where she gets all that energy but it feels like she never gets tired. She comes home from work and a moment later she's working in the greenhouse or tending the orchard trees.

Wheels

Round 11: Spring 2016


Ben Cooper is 38, Denise is 30, Riley is 6 and Liam is 4.
(Sam is 38 and Grace is 33.)

Narrated by Ben Cooper

I'm only working 3 days a week at the moment and Denise only works 2 days a week so that one of us is always at home with the kids. We'll probably start working full-time again next year when Liam starts school. This system is working for us and luckily both our bosses have agreed to this settlement.