"Never try eating nectarines since juice may dispense." That's how Tom and Joan Bradford remember the names of their childrens: Nicholas, Tommy, Elizabeth, Nancy, Susan, Joannie, Mary, and David.Tired of fighting with his father,David move out of the Bradford house and the youngest Bradford children fight over his bedroom, prompting Tom to learn the importance of having a family relationship.Elizabeth is arrested for possession of narcotics and Tom and Joan have to find 1,500 to pay a lawyer.

Tom's dentist challenges the family to a touch football game.

Abby is now guest staring in the role of Sue Abby Abbott who comes to help tutor Tommy who has broken his foot and has to miss school. Don Johnson guest stars.

With the girls off on their own, Tom decides to cancel the rest of the kid's curfews to give them a bit of leniency. However, everyone soon learns that it's possible to have too much of a good thing, and the girls have trouble in their new apartment.

Nancy, Susan, and Joannie decide to look for their own apartment and Tom struggles to accept that his daughters are growing up.

Elizabeth is faced with the hard reality that the road to success is not an easy one when she becomes interested in an expensive Vermont college that has an excellent dance program. Unfortunately, Tom can't afford the tuition. Abby comes to the rescue by finding a dance scholarship, and Elizabeth begins studying with a professional dance company.

Tom and Abby send the kids camping for the weekend so they can finally have the house to themselves.

The Bradfords are surprised when the Vice-President accepts Nicholas' invitation to Thanksgiving dinner with the Bradfords. Apparently, the VP has picked the Bradfords as a typical American family. To make matters more interesting, Abby's parents arrive from Pasadena to join in the holiday with the family.

Abby's mother arrives at the Bradford with some shocking news. It seems that after many years of marriage, Abby's parents are splitting up. When Abby's father arrives for a visit shortly afterward, the family works overtime to keep her parents out of the same room. Meanwhile, the kids have a number of unpaid parking tickets, which results in Tom being picked up by the police.

David and Janet decide to live together, which may jeopardize Tom's chances of being awarded "Father of the Year." Meanwhile, Nicholas tries to avoid a young lady who has a crush on him.