The Mihalik Family

Season 3 Episode 5
Monday 25 June, 2007 - 10:00pm on ABC

Donna is a single mom who’s been through multiple ordeals over the last four years. Her son, Cole (8), survived a two-year, all-consuming battle with leukemia. But soon afterwards, two years ago, Donna’s husband Steve suddenly died. Left alone to bring up their four children - Blake (11), Cole, Aiden (3) and Stephanie (1+½) - Donna was so depleted, she lost control of the kids. She found it easier to give in than to discipline.

Now the older boys swear and curse at their mom, fight constantly, and have no respect for her or each other. The oldest, Blake, often runs off to hang out with older kids in the neighborhood, and Donna has no say over when he’ll come home. She fears that the youngest two are starting to follow their big brothers’ example. But when Jo Frost tries to show Mom how to implement rules that stick, there’s a near-mutiny by the boys.  (Original air date: Jan. 15, 2007)