In a rare public commentary, musician Grimes has provided a glimpse into the complexities of co-parenting with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, revealing significant disagreements over their children's screen time and management.
Social Media Revelations Spark Discussion
Grimes, whose real name is Claire Boucher, took to social media platform X this week to share unusual observations about their three children while acknowledging the ongoing debates with her former partner. The "Genesis" singer described their children's "pure aura" as "unmatched" in a Thursday post that quickly garnered attention from followers.
"I try to never talk about or show my kids because they deserve the right to anonymity but I just have to say their pure aura is unmatched," Grimes wrote in her characteristically unconventional style. "One of them even inexplicably commanded a flock of crows for a while. Might be biased but this seems unusual."
The Screen Time Disagreement
When questioned by fans about parenting approaches, Grimes revealed that screen time has become "a huge debate" between herself and Musk. She explained that while one parent is comfortable with screen exposure, she generally prefers to avoid it for their young children.
"If it happens we focus on great art and ideally slower stuff like Ghibli that isn't constantly changing context," she noted, referencing the renowned Japanese animation studio known for its thoughtful, paced storytelling.
Background of a Complicated Relationship
Grimes and Elon Musk were first romantically linked in May 2018, embarking on what would become an on-again, off-again relationship that ultimately concluded in 2022. Despite their separation, they continue to co-parent their three children: X Æ A-Xii, aged 5, Exa Dark Sideræl, aged 4, and Techno Mechanicus, aged 3.
The co-parenting arrangement has been marked by legal proceedings and public disagreements. In October 2023, Grimes filed to establish formal parental rights for all three children, and by November 2024, she revealed that the ongoing custody battle with Musk had delayed the release of her musical work.
Recent Tensions and Blocking Incident
Relations appeared strained further in December 2025 when Grimes responded to a fan who noticed she and Musk no longer followed each other on X. She claimed Musk had blocked her account, writing: "For context I'm just living my life. He followed me then blocked me. I'm not going to be following and unfollowing. My only priority is co-parenting, I am not interested in public dramatics. This is so silly lol."
Earlier in February 2025, Grimes publicly criticized Musk for bringing their son X to an Oval Office meeting with former President Donald Trump without her knowledge, stating their child "should not be in public like this."
Broader Family Context
Elon Musk's extensive family situation adds complexity to the co-parenting dynamic. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO has fourteen children with four different women:
- With ex-wife Justine Wilson: Six children including twins Griffin and Xavier (born 2004) and triplets Kai, Saxon, and Damian (born 2006)
- With Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis: Twins Strider and Azure (born November 2021), daughter Arcadia (early 2024), and son Seldon Lycurgus (February 2025)
- With conservative influencer Ashley St. Clair: Son Romulus (born September 2024)
Recent Custody Developments
In January 2026, Musk announced on X his intention to seek full custody of his one-year-old son Romulus, whom he shares with Ashley St. Clair. This announcement followed St. Clair's public apology for previous anti-trans remarks, in which she expressed regret for statements that might have caused pain to Musk's transgender daughter, Vivian.
Despite St. Clair's apology and stated efforts to be more supportive of the transgender community, Musk suggested her comments indicated she might want to transition their son—a claim reportedly not supported by her actual statements, which focused on taking responsibility for past harmful remarks.
The ongoing co-parenting challenges between Grimes and Musk highlight the difficulties of navigating child-rearing within high-profile, complex family structures, particularly when fundamental parenting philosophies diverge on issues like technology exposure and public visibility.
