The couple behind Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi have added another child to their family through adoption, and online reaction has been anything but warm. Both in their twenties, they were informed plainly that being a parent at under 25 is simply not an acceptable stage of life.
“Under 25 isn’t an age to be a mom/dad. Go live for later so you don’t end up regretting it and turn into a bitter person.”
The X message reflects the general tone of the criticism aimed at the couple after they announced the birth of their second adopted child. Some people said the pair was too young to raise two children, while others speculated that their marriage might collapse as a result.
The Couple’s First Announcement
The couple’s first adopted child, a girl, was announced by Brown and Bongiovi in August 2025. They said at the time: “We are beyond excited to embark on this beautiful next chapter of parenthood in both peace and privacy.” The baby’s name and likeness remain private.
Thursday, September 17, saw the couple’s second adoption broken by People. The outlet pointed to a September 7 social media post by Brown as evidence, citing a source before drawing attention to it.
A video from a family visit to the Dolomites mountain range in Italy shows Brown carrying her daughter while Bongiovi moved along beside her, a baby carrier strapped to his chest. The view of their new addition was blocked since the couple faced away from the camera.
The Backlash Over Becoming Parents So Soon
Over a period of several months, criticism has come in scattered waves. A single netizen wrote, “She’s 22, and he’s 24, and they have 2 kids already? That’s a recipe for a failed marriage.”
One person wrote: “Babies don’t get the best from their parents when the age gap is so little.”. Another added their own observation: “Celebrities think having babies is easy. Wait till reality sets in.”. A third person then contributed their own remark: “Celebrities buy, they don’t adopt.”.
A number of people said they had attempted to adopt for 20 years and failed due to being ordinary citizens. Several others urged Brown and Bongiovi to “seek professional help,” with one describing their choice to adopt back-to-back as “mental illness of some kind.”.
What makes the criticism stand out is the absence of any claims about child endangerment or warning signs. The couple can afford the arrangement, and they possess the same entitlement to children as anyone else. The attacks are moral, not practical — the critics object to the couple’s timing rather than to any risk to the children themselves.
What Millie Has Said About Adoption
She has talked openly about why adoption means so much to her. On the SmartLess podcast in March 2025, Brown said that her mother and father became parents while still quite young — at 21 and 19 respectively — which is what made her want to become a parent herself sooner rather than later.
She has long pictured a big family, since both she and Bongiovi were raised among four siblings. Speaking about adoption, she said, “I don’t see having your own child as really any different as adopting.”
Brown recalled that even as a child aged 5 or 6, her baby dolls were always adopted rather than biological. “I never pretended I was pregnant,” she shared.
Her Stated Desire for Biological Children
Brown has been clear that adoption is not the end of her parenting story. During a June 2026 appearance on Not Gonna Lie With Kylie Kelce, she shared that she learned about both adoption and giving birth to her own child while studying social work.
“Hopefully that is in my future,” she said about carrying a kid. She also described becoming a mother as a life-changing experience, comparing it to “going from black and white to color.”
The charity shared a video on Instagram that the actress recorded for UNICEF in June 2026. During the clip, she discussed her role as a parent, saying that she and Bongiovi share a guiding principle when raising their children, which is to “take it one day at a time.”
Fans Who Celebrated the News
Some fans came forward with warm words after the news broke, even as other voices disagreed with the critics.
“Lots of love and blessings to them,” one said. Another added, “It shouldn’t matter how you have a child as long as they’re raised with love and care.”
“We need to start normalizing adoptions,” a netizen said.
Why the Backlash Is Out of Proportion
No reasonable cause exists for the anger directed at Brown and Bongiovi, who have chosen to become parents as adults and have spoken openly about their wish to raise children. They have explained their reasons, including Brown’s family history of early parenthood and her lifelong desire to build a large family — a desire that has now produced two adopted children and a marriage that has endured the criticism.
There is no proof provided by the critics that young parents cannot raise children. No data backs the claim that having two adopted children in your twenties is a recipe for marital failure. The critics merely state that it is wrong, and they assume the world will accept their judgment without question.
What This Story Shows
Online communities can be quick to pass judgment, and the response to Brown and Bongiovi shows that tendency clearly. Those who have never met the couple have reached conclusions about their decisions and shared them without hesitation.
It is an odd tale, yet no tragedy. Brown and Bongiovi have pursued their desires without concealment, and the critics have made their judgments. Now all that remains is to watch how the story develops.
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