Among the glitz and glamour of Chelsea, there’s one local who is determined to show life as a parent in its raw, unfiltered state. Mum-of-two Millie Mackintosh is a breath of fresh air in a social media world of edited selfies and ‘What I eat in a day’ reels.
On her Instagram platform, which boasts 1.4 million followers, the 33-year-old former Made In Chelsea star speaks about relatable subjects such as body image, mental health and the struggles of motherhood. It’s an openness that benefits not just her followers, but helps Millie, too, she says.
“When I’m finding something difficult and share it on social media, I’ve found I’ve had a lovely response,” reveals Millie, who is mum to daughters Sienna, two, and 11-month-old Aurelia.
“And it can help you realise you’re not alone in what you’re going through,” she explains. “Sharing these experiences helps other people. It’s not all just smiling selfies and I think it’s really important to share the more difficult moments, too.”
The star recently admitted to suffering with anxiety and uses medication and therapy to ease her symptoms. With her usual level of frankness, Millie tells us about the methods she uses to maintain her mental wellbeing.
“It’s something you have to manage with a real 360-degree approach,” she says. “Exercise, therapy, and I do what I can to get a good night’s sleep where possible. Talking about it and not internalising it is so important. Actually talking to your friends, family, your therapist, just ending the stigma. That’s why I wanted to share about my experience, so people don’t feel they have to be ashamed about it, it’s not something you need to hide.”
Although getting a decent night’s rest is essential for optimum wellbeing, it can be hard for mums to get in the recommended eight hours – especially in those early months with a newborn.
“You’re trying to figure everything out on not much sleep,” she says, “and it’s really challenging because it really affects all of your emotions.”
“If I haven’t had much sleep the night before and I don’t feel 100% the next day, I’m kinder to myself about it. I accept I might not feel 100% that day. You just have to think, ‘Tomorrow I’ll feel different.’”
As well as cutting herself some slack, she says she also confides in her husband of four years, Hugo Taylor, 36, about how she’s feeling. “Although I also find it really helpful talking to other people who have anxiety, because they can really understand how you feel,” she adds.
Sharing the challenging sides of being a mum to two small children is a must for Millie, but she also gives insights into the beauty of motherhood and talks of her precious moments with her girls.
“Me and Sienna go to ballet classes, which I love, because it gives us a chance to do something for me and her,” she says excitedly. “It’s honestly one of my favourite moments of my week. It’s so special and cute seeing her in her little tutu. She says ‘bina’ for ballerina.
“Aurelia goes to a music class, which is really sensory. Again, it’s nice to go and have some one-on-one time. I really enjoy getting to do those classes.”
While individual time with each child is crucial, Millie loves nothing more than seeing her daughters bond.
“I love having two and having a sibling for Sienna and seeing them together is so cute,” she gushes. “They get along really well… most of the time!
“Sienna’s really caring with Aurelia. She loves to get involved and she loves being a big sister. She likes choosing her outfits and if she gets upset, she’ll try to comfort her. She shares her toys with her – most of the time! Seeing their bond grow as they both get bigger is really rewarding.”
Millie also reveals that her daughters have quite different characters – one is her double, she says, while the other is the spit of her husband.
“Sienna’s more like me, and maybe a bit more of a handful,” she laughs. “She knows what she wants and she wants things her way. Aurelia’s a bit more chilled and a bit more like Hugo.”
As Millie documents each milestone of the journey of raising children, the latest challenge the family will undertake is potty training Sienna. It’s something she and Hugo are gearing up for.
“We don’t want to rush her to do it,” she says. “Every week she’s more and more chatty and it’s really important she communicates when she needs to go. We’re almost there. We’ve got the books and the potty, so she can get used to sitting on it.”
When Millie does have a moment to herself, she tells us her preferred methods of self-care are exercise classes and a walk with a podcast. She also loves binge-watching a TV series and at the moment is gripped by House Of The Dragon. Millie also fits in time for date nights with Hugo most weekends.
“I think it’s important to make that time to go out for a nice dinner, or something with just the two of us,” she says. “It’s nice to do something out of the house and have that child-free time, too.”
Seeing Hugo as a father is another joy for Millie who, she reveals, is so “cute” with their girls.
“In the morning, he wants to go in extra early and wake them up, so he can see them before work. They’re both such daddy’s girls. I love our weekends when we get to do that family time.”
So, who’s the stricter parent?
“We’re trying to find the good-cop, bad-cop balance,” she explains.
“I think I’m probably a little bit softer. Sienna has definitely figured out how to get what she wants from Mummy. They’re so manipulative from such a young age. She probably thinks she can bend my arm more than Hugo’s!”
Millie and Hugo tied the knot back in 2018 at the lavish Whithurst Park in Sussex. And, after she posted about a recent trip back to the venue this summer with their kids in tow, we have to ask if they plan to renew their vows with their girls in attendance.
“It is something we definitely talk about,” Millie reveals. “I think it would be lovely to do in the future, maybe after 10 years. I think it’s a really lovely thing to do when your children are old enough to understand and be involved. I’d like to do it somewhere hot, though. Maybe on a beach.”
While a wedding vow renewal may be on the horizon, Millie is undecided whether she’ll add more children to her brood.
“I mean, who knows? I don’t know,” she says, clearly still deliberating. “I don’t think so.”
Career-wise, Millie’s been away from our screens for a while, choosing to invest time in her beauty projects and spend time with her young family. After five dramatic series, the star stepped away from Made In Chelsea in 2013, and has since made only a few appearances on TV. But we think Millie would be a perfect fit for the next series of gruelling challenge show Celebrity SAS.
“I’ve actually been meaning to watch that,” she says. “Although I’d actually be so rubbish. I’d be out in the first round, 100%!
“I’d never say never to going on TV again, but I don’t think I’d last a second on SAS,” she giggles.
In true Millie style, she remains passionate about helping others and tells us about a partnership between the kids’ charity the Make-a-Wish Foundation and Disney that she supports.
For two weeks during September, the partnership transformed an English manor house into a magical immersive experience for 240 children who have life-limiting or life-threatening illnesses.
Millie, who appeared at the event, says, “There was a Winnie the Pooh picnic, there was Mickey and Minnie, a Frozen sing-a-long and story time with Belle – which was one of my favourites,” she recalls.
“It was an amazing opportunity for these families, who’ve been through so much, to experience a bit of Disney in the UK. Because of their illnesses, some of these children can’t travel so it was a joy to see their faces.”
And, as a mother herself, Millie says she found the experience even more emotional.
“Being a mum, I can’t even imagine what these families have been through,” she explains. “It’s hard enough being a parent as it is. I think they’re all incredible and very inspiring.”
The Kentown Wizard Foundation, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Disney UK joined forces to deliver A Disney Wish, a unique two-week Disney experience for 240 children from across the UK living with critical illness. See make-a-wish.org.uk for more information
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