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Los Angeles Times
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
The Clairvoyants can read your mind: ‘America's Got Talent' duo brings mental magic to the global stage
It all started with a cup of coffee … and a blindfolded clairvoyant. As he sat beside me in a cafe booth, mentalist Thommy Ten asked me to take out some items from my bag at random. Rummaging through pens and chargers, I wanted to find something that Amélie van Tass, his stage partner and wife, might struggle to predict as she faced away from us. I handed Ten my passport, my wallet and a bag of almonds. Talking toward the wall, Van Tass said, 'It's an ID … is that a passport?' She was right. 'And it expires April 2033?' I didn't even know that — I checked and apparently, it does. Van Tass quickly guessed the bag of nuts. It was when she started accurately rattling off my license and Visa card numbers that the phrase 'sixth sense' came to my mind. The Clairvoyants perform mentalism, the branch of magic that encapsulates all things mind-reading, precognition and extrasensory perception. The duo's performances are theatrical and often break the fourth wall. They choose audience members at random and can accurately guess their birthdays, their hotel room numbers and the exact dollar amount they won after a night in Vegas. Many shows incorporate their dog, crowd favorite Mr. Koni Hundini. Of the trio, he messes up the most, but the people 'still love him,' said Ten. Ten and Van Tass are best known for coming in second place on Season 11 of NBC's 'America's Got Talent' in 2016. They also appeared on two 'AGT' spinoffs. Since then, they've headlined tours and Vegas residencies, drawing international recognition in the magic world. The couple took a brief break from performing in late 2024 to expand their family. 'It was always clear, we don't want to give up our job,' Van Tass said. 'They're just part of the whole circus. We love to call it a circus because now we have two dogs and one baby.' Ten and Van Tass' 8-month-old baby boy joins the Clairvoyants in their travels, but not on the stage. 'We try to be as normal as possible when we're at home. We're just Mom and Dad and not the Clairvoyants,' Van Tass said. Ten added, 'Of course, we try to keep it comfortable for him, for the dogs and for us. We don't go crazy with seven shows in seven states a week. We limit it to weekends now.' It's only fitting that the 'circus' headed to Vegas for the Clairvoyants' U.S. comeback. The duo recently joined 'AGT' champion magician Shin Lim in his Las Vegas residency with an act that merged their mental magic with Lim's sleight of hand. The Clairvoyants will hit the road once again in late October for a winter tour, which includes a Dec. 20 show in San Jacinto. Beyond their innovative psychic acts, the Clairvoyants have always challenged stereotypes about magic shows. 'There's always this picture of a magician and the assistant bringing tables in and out,' Ten said. 'That's the basic understanding of a magician. Our thing was always that we wanted to be equal on stage.' Ten and Van Tass, both 38, bring different talents to the act. 'You do more of the magic, magic stuff,' Van Tass said to Ten. 'And I'm more the mind reading and feeling and sensing things, which I think is a female thing too.' The couple first crossed paths on a set in 2011 — they started brainstorming a two-person magic act the next day. Less than a year later, the duo performed their first show, 'Second Sight.' It was the first step in carving out their niche, the modern, theatrical mentalism that has since become their signature act. The Clairvoyants soon began touring Europe, expanding their routine into a full-length show within the year. In 2014, they brought the tour to America, where they joined 'The Illusionists,' the world's largest traveling magic show. Two years later, they went even bigger: 'America's Got Talent.' Over four months on 'AGT,' the Clairvoyants performed eight times and beat out more than 100,000 other contestants. The duo came in second, behind singer Grace VanderWaal. Every episode of their season of 'AGT' ranked No. 1 in its NBC time slot. 'Suddenly, our season was watched by 16, 17 million viewers,' said Ten. With so many people tuning in and voting from home, the Clairvoyants became a household name. They also returned in 2019 for the spinoff 'America's Got Talent: The Champions' and in 2024 for 'America's Got Talent: Fantasy League.' They were eliminated in the preliminary round on both shows. 'In our genre, mentalism, mind-reading, it's normally very small. Like in a parlor setting or a face-to-face thing,' said Ten. 'Our dream was always to make it big so we can perform in front of thousands of people. It should still feel like everybody's part of it; everyone can be involved.' While their 'AGT' appearance opened doors to Broadway and tours worldwide, they aspired for more. From 2021 to 2022, the Clairvoyants performed 500 shows in one year. After the birth of their son, they performed five to 10 shows a week in Vegas. Their upcoming U.S. tour will take them cross-country over the holidays. The fanbase they built from 'AGT' added a layer of both excitement and pressure, but it isn't necessarily what keeps the Clairvoyants moving at such an impressive pace. 'We have performed in front of 20 people and were as excited as we would have been in front of 20,000 people,' Van Tass said. 'I'm most excited when I know that there are good friends and family in the audience.' The Clairvoyants didn't just want a bigger audience, they needed one. Their spectacular stage performances couldn't have possibly worked in the parlor rooms of the past. Performance highlights include Van Tass showcasing her mental magic while submerged in 2,000 liters of water, using a flamethrower and even being suspended in the air, à la Cirque du Soleil. The Clairvoyants strive to make their show special to each audience member, every night. 'They make it possible that we can do what we do. Every single person deserves the best version and 100%,' said Van Tass. Fans' experiences are the key to keeping the magic alive — and keeping it confidential. Of course, the Clairvoyants can't reveal their secrets, but that doesn't stop viewers from speculating. One theory suggests that audience members are paid participants. But when a blindfolded Van Tass predicts what you have in hand, and you know you aren't in on it, that theory falls apart. Originally from Austria, the couple spends half the year performing in Europe and the other half in the U.S. — in Vegas or on tour. With German as their first language, English as their second and the 'tiny bit of Spanish' Van Tass speaks, the Clairvoyants are prepared to acclimate. 'It's important that at least we have a couple of words in different languages to adapt to people and to new countries,' Van Tass said. Performing worldwide has earned the duo awards from across Europe and the U.S. In 2015 they were dubbed the World Champions of Mentalism by the FISM, one of the most respected international magic organizations. In 2017, the Academy of Magical Arts and the Magic Castle Hollywood voted Ten and Van Tass Stage Magicians of the Year. In 2020 they received the Mandrakes d'Or — France's 'Oscar of magic.' From their pre-'AGT' tours to their Las Vegas residency, the Clairvoyants have a long streak of reading minds and blowing minds too. And the pair shows no signs of slowing down. Their ambitious winter tour aims to spread holiday magic from coast to coast. 'We just want to take people and bring them into our magical world,' said Van Tass. 'Just let them forget everything and feel like kids again.'
India Today
18 hours ago
- General
- India Today
Tarot Card Predictions July 29, 2025: Tarot Card Reading for All Zodiac Signs
Aries (Queen of Wands): Your past achievements have raised your reputation and expectations. Opportunities may come through a female ally, possibly leading to a job change or promotion. Stay alert to jealousy and maintain your assertive, composed self. Changes in work or residence are possible; let transitions unfold with (Knight of Cups): You may seem emotionally distant in love, which could upset your partner. A new creative pursuit or travel opportunity will lift your mood and open career doors. Meeting someone special during a social event or wedding may lead to personal or professional growth. Stay grounded avoid rash (The Fool): A fresh start is on the horizon. After enduring stress, you're now ready to act on a new idea that's caught your superiors' attention. Harness your enthusiasm with discipline to ensure long-term success. Family and friends are rooting for you lean into their support. Cancer (Eight of Swords): Today calls for introspection and wiser decision-making. A past choice, possibly influenced by someone else, may be weighing heavily on your mind. You're realising the true nature of certain people and situations, prompting a shift in your perspective. Distance from manipulative relationships will bring clarity. Positive changes are on the horizon, including potential job growth or a location shift. Let go of emotional burdens and prepare for new beginnings with awareness and (Seven of Cups): You may feel mentally overwhelmed, caught between appealing opportunities that seem just out of reach. Confusion and unrealistic expectations could cloud your judgment. While your patience and faith are commendable, clarity will only come when you focus on what's real and actionable. Stay grounded—chances to prove yourself are coming. A professional responsibility may soon fall on your shoulders. Meanwhile, strained personal dynamics may be distracting; channel your energy toward resolving one thing at a (The Emperor): Today emphasises the need for structure, self-discipline, and strong leadership especially in your personal conduct and decision-making. Relying too much on others or letting them interfere may lead to setbacks. Step into your own authority with calm control and confidence. If you're considering a new project or career move, this is the time to act with clarity and ownership. With your planning skills and determination, you're on the verge of tangible success. Just take charge, (Ten of Pentacles): You may find yourself at the center of family decisions, particularly those involving ancestral property or long-term investments. There's a strong possibility of being recognised for your contributions, both within the family and at work. Your sense of responsibility and dedication toward loved ones is admired. Discussions around property acquisition or joint family ventures may gain momentum. Influential connections or associations with prestigious families may bring unexpected benefits. Trust your instincts but stay alert to subtle envy or resistance from (Six of Pentacles): Your giving nature is noble but can be misused this is a day to establish boundaries and assess where your support is truly valued. Strive for better balance between what you give and what you receive, whether in time, energy, or resources. New opportunities to enhance your financial or professional standing may arise through meaningful connections. A long-standing property dispute may move toward resolution. If proposals or offers from influential circles come your way, consider them thoughtfully with a clear (Two of Cups): This is a period of reconciliation, partnerships, and mutual understanding. You may engage in building or healing relationships personally or professionally. Misunderstandings at the workplace can be resolved through honest conversation. A joint venture or collaboration with a close ally is likely to show promise, especially if built on trust and shared values. You are also being called to fulfill your social or professional role with sincerity and emotional intelligence. Be cautious while organising or participating in social gatherings—proper planning will avoid (Queen of Cups):Despite outward success, you may feel an inner emotional void. You've often taken the initiative to preserve relationships, yet not everyone appreciates your efforts. Some recent disappointments, especially after giving your all to a task, may leave you reflecting on your journey. Plans for travel or reconnecting with a friend may offer much-needed positivity. A revelation within the family possibly from an elder woman could shift perspectives and bring new clarity. Celebration or joy related to a new birth may uplift the family (Seven of Wands): Challenges may be testing your patience and resilience, but your determination is your greatest weapon. Inner conflict and the pressure to meet others' expectations could be weighing on you. Focus on your goals and don't exhaust yourself trying to please everyone. This is a phase of building inner strength. Opportunities related to job promotion or overseas education are possible, but they might also come with the challenge of adjusting to unfamiliar environments. Stand firm, stay disciplined, and let your resolve guide the (The Magician): A powerful shift is on the horizon you're entering a phase where your skills, timing, and presence can create real magic. Unexpected encounters may open professional doors. You may receive a new job offer or move forward in business with sudden clarity and success. Promotions or role changes could bring both excitement and uncertainty. Your enthusiasm is high, but be mindful of who you trust especially in new environments. Stay grounded and trust your abilities; the outcomes will likely be in your favor if handled with focus and integrity.- EndsMust Watch
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
‘We're excited to be home': Channel 10 unveils first look at Big Brother revival as reality franchise returns to Dreamworld with new host Mel Tracina
Channel 10 has offered the first glimpse of its upcoming Big Brother revival as the struggling free-to-air broadcaster attempts to rebuild its programming lineup following a wave of cancellations. The broadcaster has been left with gaping holes in its local programming after axing the long-running news program The Project and resting long-running staples like Thank God You're Here. On Sunday, Ten shared the first official look at the new Big Brother and confirmed production will shift back to its original home inside Dreamworld. 'Big Brother is back home on 10 and returning to its legendary Dreamworld setting on the Gold Coast,' the network said in a statement. 'The iconic social experiment that launched countless conversations, rivalries, friendships and of course, the bum dance, returns refreshed and ready to capture a whole new generation of fans while rekindling nostalgia for longtime viewers. 'Expect high stakes, unexpected alliances, and classic and heartwarming moments as Big Brother once again opens the doors to the Dreamworld house, setting the stage for another unforgettable season in Australian television history.' The series will be helmed by Channel 10 regular Mel Tracina, who currently serves as a 'cultural correspondent' for The Cheap Seats and a radio host on Nova. 'The Big Brother house is synonymous with Dreamworld, so bringing the OG format to its OG location feels right,' she said in a statement. 'We're excited to be home (and in a new house that hopefully comes with an air fryer).' Big Brother Australia first went to air on Network 10 in 2001 and became an instant ratings winner for the channel, often topping 1.4 million viewers nightly. The early seasons of the show, which were presented by the no-nonsense Gretel Kileen, made stars of several contestants, including Sara-Marie Fedele, Blair McDonough and Chrissie Swan. The show originally aired on Ten for a further eight seasons before being revived in 2012 by rival Channel 9 for another three seasons with Sonia Kruger as host. The franchise then moved over to Channel 7, who produced another five seasons with Kruger as host, but swapped the original shooting location for Sydney. Ten confirmed that the new revival will see the return of live evictions and live nominations after the most recent seasons on Seven were pre-recorded. Viewers will also be able to stream the house live via the Tenplay website. Ten has received a grant by the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland's Production Attraction Strategy in exchange for bringing the show back to the sunshine state. 'Endemol Shine Australia's Big Brother has been an important training ground for many local screen practitioners and this new iteration will employ 95 crew as well as supporting four paid attachment positions,' Jacqui Feeney, Screen Queensland CEO, said in a statement. 'They will have the opportunity to learn from industry experts in critical areas such as outside broadcasting, a skillset that will be in high demand as we head towards the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.'
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
MasterChef fan favourite sent packing in shock elimination, as top five revealed
One of the fan favourites on this season of MasterChef Australia has been eliminated just shy of the grand final. Sunday's high-stakes episode saw the remaining contestants battle it out to make the top five, with debut MasterChef winner Julie Goodwin and most recent victor Nat Thaipun forming part of the special-look judging panel. The current season of the long-running Ten cooking series has seen past stars return to the kitchen for another shot at the title. In Sunday's elimination, Goodwin and Thaipun set the contestants a challenge of creating a meal with ingredients they each used in their respective winning dishes. With just 60 minutes on the clock, Depinder and Ben ultimately came out on top, joining last week's immunity winners Callum and Laura to make up the top four. Sarah and Jamie were then sent to a second round for the final spot, tasked with whipping up yet another dish from Goodwin and Thaipun's pantries. Sarah, who recently went public with her relationship with fellow MasterChef star Declan, set herself the almighty feat of making Pork Assiette – which required her to cook pork three different ways in just 60 minutes. Jamie, meanwhile, leant into classic flavours with roast chicken and vegetables. After a last-minute hurdle, in which Jamie was forced to abandon his failed gnocchi, the first-time returnee was ultimately victorious over Sarah, with the judges unable to look past her undercooked pork belly. The third-time MasterChef competitor, and runner-up in season 14, broke down in tears upon realising she just missed out on the top five, as the judges rallied around her. 'Sarah. You are so unique,' Jean-Christophe Novelli said. 'It is a pleasure watching you cooking. Every single dish you came out with were very different, and please, do not change. 'It's just a bad day in the office. You are so credible. Trust me. I really admire you.' While Sarah didn't make it to the final, the TV cook did leave the show with a new love in her life, Declan, who was eliminated several weeks ago. The pair revealed their secret relationship to Stellar in June, saying they began dating during filming of the latest season in Melbourne. 'We instantly got along and started spending a lot of time together,' Declan, 27, said. 'Nothing was ever rushed or forced – we just enjoyed spending time together. And Sarah, being from Melbourne, knew all the places to go. So we'd go to the beach, or go-karting, and we went out for lots of dinners.' It was Declan who made the first move on Sarah, who has a 14-year-old son, as she faced elimination for the first time. 'I was [panicking]. 'Oh sh*t. I've been spending all this time with this bloody amazing chick and now she might be leaving,'' he told the magazine. 'And so, as she's walking into the elimination [challenge], I said, 'Sarah, can I ask you something? Would you like to go on a date with me?' And she just looked at me and said, 'You're a bloody idiot!'' MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA'S TOP FIVE REVEAL THEIR HIGHLIGHTS: Ben Macdonald, New Zealand 'Travelling to Doha and winning immunity cooking in an Alain Ducasse restaurant. Unforgettable,' Macdonald said. Callum Hann, South Australia 'All the way back on day one, I was lucky enough to be the leader of the Green Team in the Gordon Ramsay service challenge, and we won! Afterwards, Gordon said to me 'if this is how you run your restaurants, I can't wait to make a reservation'. To get that positive reinforcement from one of the best chefs in the world was a pretty incredible feeling. 'Another great memory was our trip to Doha and cooking with so many ingredients in the desert that I've never heard of or seen before. Winning the first immunity challenge of International Week was incredible. 'Cooking with Hugh Allen and Vue de Monde, with another ingredient I wasn't familiar with, was also a very special experience.' Depinder Chhibber, NSW 'My proudest achievement would be winning immunity in the final challenge in Doha. I had a rough week so winning that immunity just made it all worth it. 'My fondest memory is the Dough-Fest team challenge where Callum and I were safe [with immunity] and we got to roam the MasterChef Garden and taste everyone's the dishes.' 'My fondest memory of the season far is definitely winning a business class flight to Doha in the travel challenge. Getting to travel in style with some of my good friends was pretty wild.'
The Age
5 days ago
- General
- The Age
Beyond 'Bad Kid': Navigating modern parenting challenges for emotional intelligence
, register or subscribe to save articles for later. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. A child is standing in the doorway of a living room holding a pink Barbie campervan aloft. Her expression is focused as she takes aim, ready to launch it at her sister's head. The child is mine. And I am out of my depth. Just as she is about to throw the toy van, I leap forward and grab it from her hands. She races back to her room to find another missile. We perform this dance three times – 'I won't let you throw,' I say – before she changes tack and heads to the kitchen, where she takes a pair of scissors from the drawer, sits down on the floor and inserts a finger defiantly between the open blades. My brain scans the various parenting tips I've been consuming lately on social media : All feelings are welcome, all behaviours are not; Punishment is ineffective for improving behaviour; They can't regulate their emotions, but you can regulate yours; This is not a bad kid, this is a good kid having a hard time; I can cope with this. Only I'm not sure that I can. And I truly don't know how to handle it. In the olden days – when you and I were growing up – the advice was simple. We'd have grabbed that bloody campervan from her hands, said a few choice words, perhaps even thrown it in the bin, and sent her to her room to think about what she'd done. Sadly, for anyone fluent in this approach, it is ineffective at raising a well-regulated, emotionally intelligent human. Rather, the so‑called 'behaviourist approach' is associated with a lack of independence, low self-esteem and aggression, says Dr Billy Garvey, a Melbourne-based developmental paediatrician and author of Ten Things I Wish You Knew About Your Child's Mental Health . As research into childhood development has grown, behaviourism has given way to the boundary-less, permissive-parenting approach. Applying this approach might mean we'd have taken the hit from the campervan missile and then comforted the distressed child who threw it at us. The permissive approach (which Garvey says people often misconstrue as being the same as 'gentle' parenting) is also ineffective and can increase hostility towards authority figures, lower empathy and stoke peer conflict. Loading Today, the advice is not so simple. A new breed of parenting educators has taken over the internet and is changing the way the next generation of kids is being raised. The wildly swinging parenting pendulum has settled on a muddier middle. It focuses more on the parent's feelings than the child's, and would neither punish my daughter nor let her throw the campervan at her sister's (or my) head. So what on earth is one to do? I take heart from the fact that many of these new parenting educators are also stuck in the muddiness of it all and that they, too, have questioned the sanity of their child as well as the sanctity of their parenting. The bomb drops On the day that I arrive at Genevieve Muir's bungalow-style home in a leafy suburb of Sydney's lower north shore, she's forgotten I'm coming. There is a pile of laundry on the dining table and, though her hair is still immaculate from a morning television appearance, the mum of four boys, aged between eight and 15, appears frazzled. Genevieve Muir had a 'bomb drop' moment after attending a parenting course recommended by a nurse at a community health centre. Credit: Once we've settled into the comfortable navy lounges with a pot of green tea, her groodle Poppy nuzzling me (or the baklava in my hand), the 46-year-old social worker tells me about her low point as a parent. At the end of one particularly long and hot day, she had finally got her three-month-old son, who had reflux, to sleep. Just as Muir was about to leave the nursery, her two-year-old son exploded into the room, roaring like a lion, and started shaking the bassinet. Muir, then in her early 30s, was apoplectic. 'I thought, 'What is wrong with my child?' ' She did what any self-respecting, behaviourist-reared person would do: she yelled at her son, shamed him for waking his baby brother and punished him. Of course, her two-year-old kept behaving like a two-year-old, hitting, pushing, biting and melting down, while her newborn with reflux kept crying. 'When they cried and cried and nothing would fix it, like toddlers can, that felt like nails down a chalkboard,' says Muir, author of Little People, Big Feelings . Several months later, she found herself sitting in her local community health centre crying about how awful her children were. When the nurse gently suggested she try a course on parenting, Muir felt deeply offended. 'I was like, 'Does she not know who I am? I'm a social worker, I'm the daughter of a therapist, I do not need a parenting course. My problem is the children.' ' It's difficult to be a regulated, calm parent all the time. 'We all have crappy days when we want to flip the bird.' Maggie Dent, author Yet desperation makes us do strange things. She did the course and felt a 'bomb drop'. The bomb was learning that certain emotions trigger us, probably because when we were children those emotions were rejected, or were the cause of punishment from caregivers. Now, as parents ourselves, those same emotions in our children elicit a visceral response in us. The instinct when they are upset, whinge, act out or disobey is to yell, smack, shame or send them to their rooms as we were sent to ours. 'When a child has a meltdown, we're telling parents to sit alongside them, but they've never had that modelled to them,' Muir says. For the first time, Muir felt self-compassion and understood her own reactions. It was a skill that would later inform the parenting classes she runs at Sydney's Mater Hospital, her book, and the clips she posts to her 67,000 followers on Instagram. (Muir also has 70,000 followers on TikTok and 16,000 on Facebook.) 'Sometimes the bigger problems with our children is our stuff, not their stuff,' says Maggie Dent, author of Mothering Our Boys and Muir's friend and mentor. It's difficult to be a regulated, calm parent all the time, adds Dent, who has a following of 191,000 on Instagram. 'We all have crappy days when we want to flip the bird. [We should just] aim to be a good-enough parent.' What being a 'good-enough' parent means in practice is having compassion for ourselves when the kids and home life in general are starting to feel a bit overwhelming. It also means having empathy for our kids. I have at times wondered how I can expect them to have their emotional shit together when their 44-year-old mother doesn't always have hers. And it means learning to hold the boundary, without being an arsehole. At least, most of the time. Maggie Dent says that sometimes the problems with our children are actually 'our stuff'. Credit: Dylan Coker / Dreamchaser When I talk to Professor Sophie Havighurst, a parenting researcher at Melbourne University, she says something that sticks with me. These practices – boundaries, self-compassion, empathy, warmth – are not just parenting skills, they are relationship skills. It's obvious, but it strikes me because I've always thought of parenting as an instinct, or as an in-built capacity that we either have or do not have, not a relationship skill or a skill we must learn and practise. 'No wonder we feel like shit when it's hard,' says Dr Becky, a child psychologist with more than 3.5 million followers on social media, in a recent clip on Instagram. 'The only thing that comes naturally in parenting is how you were parented. It's like being raised in English and wanting to teach your kid Mandarin and to speak to them in Mandarin. I don't think anyone would think Mandarin is going to come naturally. You're going to have to learn it and practise it and in your hardest, stressful moments, you would speak English. That doesn't mean the Mandarin is not working.' The demand for the advice of the Dr Beckys, Muirs, Dents and Garveys of the world, as well a range of unqualified parenting educators, is high. In the past five years, the online parenting market has become a multibillion-dollar business. On Instagram alone, the hashtag #parenting appears more than 23 million times, while #parentingtips is tagged more than 4.6 million times. In this unregulated space, much content is designed to get clicks and ad revenue by preying on parents' insecurities and fears they are not doing enough, let alone doing anything right. At its worst, it creates pressure, shame, confusion and the sense that everybody else is doing a better job ('They're bloody not,' says Dent, god love her), and can steer us in the wrong direction, making us dismiss our better instincts. Some of the advice is also 'potentially harmful', says Garvey, a father of two who has more than 50,000 followers on social media; for instance, the message to new mums to 'just relax' and enjoy being with their baby, when up to 30 per cent have postnatal depression. Melbourne-based developmental paediatrician Dr Billy Garvey warns that advice on social media can be potentially harmful. Credit: 'Other messaging says, 'for a certain price, I'll show you how to make a baby sleep',' Garvey tells me. 'So many new parents are desperate, and when they pay and try that method but it doesn't work, they think that they're the ones who are failing – not the program that was developed by someone without developmental training and who just saw a financial opportunity.' But there is also advice that can provide much-needed perspective and a guide to a deeper, more enjoyable connection with our children. Muir suspects this desire is driving the demand for social media parenting: we know we want to do it differently, but we don't yet know how to do it differently. Regulating emotions I never thought I'd say this, but this new generation of parenting educators on social media has helped me. The scraps of advice they provide have become mantras to approach parenting in a way that feels kinder (to myself and to my daughters) and more accepting of the mess. It doesn't prevent the rise of frustration and the instinct to threaten punishments when they turn into deranged, fire-breathing dragons because I've brought them the wrong snack. And it doesn't mean I now know how to perfectly navigate missile or scissor stand-offs. But I can practise a little self-compassion to regulate my own emotions in the moment, and I appreciate that it is hard for anyone to know what to do sometimes.
