In Bratislava, Slovakia, Darya and her husband are raising three children, ages eight, five and one. Although they share parenting responsibilities, her husband’s full-time office job and her part-time teaching position mean that most of the childcare falls to Darya. With both extended families living far away, Darya often navigates daily parenthood challenges largely on her own.
Her need for support has evolved over the years. “When you begin your parenting journey with your first child and everything is new, you’re discovering your parenting style and voice, so I looked at many parenting websites,” she says. “But when children are older – or you have another baby – challenges can become more complex. You have sibling rivalry, or your child starts daycare or a new school, and sometimes you also need a professional.”
After having her third child, she discovered UNICEF’s Bebbo app through a YouTube ad.
“I was already a confident parent,” she says. But Bebbo, she says, is “a brilliant guideline for what to expect in the coming days, months, and even years. I like that there are many articles on many topics and you have everything in one place. I love the reminders about vaccinations and other preventive care.”
To other parents facing similar challenges, Darya offers this advice: “I would always advise first-time parents to use Bebbo, but also to stay connected to your inner child and inner voice. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you reach a dead end.”
Since November 2024, Darya has served on the Bebbo Parents’ Council, an advisory body of 20 parents from 10 countries that supports the app’s development.
“It’s great to be connected to something bigger than just your small parent group and to see how, although we are all different, we face similar difficulties,” she says.
Bebbo was officially launched in Slovakia in April 2024, in partnership with the Slovak Society of Primary Pediatric Care. Endorsed by the Ministries of Health and Education, the launch was the result of months of collaboration with the Slovak Association of Pediatricians, whose expert team adapted the app to the Slovak context.
Today, Bebbo continues to grow as a trusted companion for parents like Darya, offering guidance and tools to support and track young children’s development. As of June 2025, more than 20,000 parents have downloaded Bebbo in Slovakia.
