UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Millie Bobby Brown has shared a personal reflection of her early days as a new parent to mark the start of Parenting Month in June.
In the video - released on Instagram as part of UNICEF's "My Parenting Journey" series featuring candid conversations about the realities of raising children - Brown speaks about the joys, challenges, and surprises of becoming a new mother, reflecting on the overwhelming love she feels for her daughter, the responsibility of parenthood, and the importance of having people to turn to.
"Raising a daughter is a real responsibility. And I just try to learn as much as I can and feed it into her life, so that she knows nothing other than girls supporting girls, women succeeding, women achieving their dreams and living in a world and building a world for her - that isn't unrealistic but it sets a standard for her to know that she shouldn't settle for anything less," Brown says in the video.
Her advice to other new parents is to take it one day at a time, commenting, "My husband and I always say, today was today and tomorrow is going to be tomorrow, and let's just sleep. You just take it day by day." During moments of doubt, she describes turning to her mother and mother-in-law. "I'm so honoured to have support... It's so nice to hear reassurance."
Brown also captures the joys of daily life: "She loves food. And I love food. So, our love language together is food. We just love to sit there and eat. She always wants to try what I'm having and I'm always eating what she's having."
Parenting Month is observed annually to recognise the critical role parents and caregivers play in shaping children's lives. This year's theme, "Together for Parents", highlights that every caregiver needs time and support to raise their children.
UNICEF is calling on governments and partners to invest in evidence-based parenting support programmes, expand family-friendly policies - including paid parental leave, childcare support, and flexible work - and protect safe spaces where children can play freely.
