Demons to Darlings
Formats
10x 1/2 hr
It's the hardest job in the world: being a parent. And all the advice from first few months disappears when the going gets tough and the kids get out of control. The cameras are rolling as a top family therapist wades into the battle zone to negotiate a ceasefire between parents and their offspring. Then it's time to rebuild relationships as the therapist works with the families to reveal the cause of the conflict – and devise strategies to achieve a positive result. It's ten episodes of practical advice and eye-popping revelation for all parents.
Episode Overview
Episode 1
Matt and Janine Clayton have just recently emigrated to New Zealand from England looking for the good life. But their three year old daughter Poppy is turning that dream into a nightmare. Tantrums, sleep problems and chaos at daycare are pushing the couple over the edge. Family therapist Diane Levy pays a visit to the family to help them set up clear boundaries including her two strikes- you're out approach that starts a dramatic turnaround for the Clayton family.
Episode 2Single parent Sharleen Berryman can't take much more. Her five year old son Zion is completely out of control. Any request is met with full scale histrionics including tantrums, screaming and hitting. Shopping is an absolute nightmare and dinner time is a nightly confrontation. Desperate, Sharleen's called on Family Therapist Diane Levy to help her regain some control and in doing so learns how to become closer to her son.
Episode 3Eight year old Shyanne Killey's parents believe their daughter has become a stroppy teenager before her time. Messy, rebellious and demanding, her parents Rochelle and Troy have had enough. Now, with her four year old brother starting to imitate his big sister's less than desirable behaviour, her parents have reached the end of the line. Family therapist Diane Levy pays a visit to the family but suggests the couple take a closer look at their own communication skills in an effort to make positive changes at home with surprising results.
Episode 4Selena and David Halewood are being run ragged by their troupe of four children including twins Max and Kaitlin. With Selena working fulltime it's down to David to control their brood on a daily basis and he's on the verge of throwing in the towel. The couple believe the constant sibling mayhem is caused by Max who they've marked as the ring leader but when Family Therapist Diane Levy pays a visit not only does she reveal other surprising dynamics in the family she also offers some practical advice to managing , and ultimately enjoying, a large brood.
Episode 5Two and a half year old Theresa Ford rules the roost. She spits, won't eat and refuses to go to bed. The stress of negotiating her every whim is causing pressure in the family and her older brother Jordon is being pushed to the sidelines while parents, Mark and Gina cope with her dramatics. Family Therapist Diane Levy arrives with a clear first mandate-a good nights sleep for all. But it's a long road ahead for the couple as they struggle to reclaim not only the night but begin to put Diane's positive parenting approach into action with both their children.
Episode 6The Mana Daley household is bursting at the seams. With five children, including three year old twins, and both parents working the family are barely getting through each day. In a desperate attempt to get some peace and quiet their parents Aaron and Ria have begun to rely on a steady diet of dummies and televisions to keep the children happy but the cracks are starting to show. Family Therapist Diane Levy comes to visit the family in action and suggests some radical changes that ultimately set them all on a dramatic new path.
Episode 7Single parent Louse Hoyte is desperate. Her five year old daughter Stella rules the roost with her constant tantrums and abusive language. She refuses to do anything her mother asks, turns shopping trips into high drama and refuses to leave anywhere when asked. Exhausted Louise calls on Diane Levy for advice on how to regain control of her household and in the process learns that once clear boundaries are in place remarkable transformations can happen.
Episode 8Four year old Kael McGonagle has earned the nickname The Little Emperor from his frustrated parents, Shane and Tania, over his extraordinarily demanding behaviour. Feeling like servants in their own home to keep the peace his every whim, no matter how bizarre, is catered for making the situation worse. While is dad Shane thinks he's still got things relatively under control fulltime Mom Tania feels like she's losing the battle with constant arguments over food, sleeping and shopping. Family Therapist Diane Levy steps in to show Shane and Tania how to work together to replace the constant negotiating with more positive solutions.
Episode 9Two and a half year old Jess isn't happy about the arrival of her new baby brother and she's quite happy to let everybody know it. With constant tantrums that last for hours her parents don't know which way to turn. Feeling guilty about the situation they've been trying to take the soft approach including star charts.but nothing seems to be working. To make matters worse her father Tom works sixty hour weeks as an advertising executive leaving wife Januessa to struggle alone. Family Therapist Diane Levy arrives just as Tom heads off overseas and works with Juanessa to establish new rules that will help her regain new confidence as a parent.
Episode 10Family Therapist Diane Levy revisits her nine families to see how much progress they've made since she saw them last. For some families her strategies have dramatically changed terrible sleep battles, constant tantrums, shopping warfare and childcare issues but for others, while change has been made, new problems have arisen. Diane returns to help troubleshoot with simple strategies and again proves that with clear boundaries in place every demon can be transformed into a darling.
