Keke Palmer Shares the Biggest Misconception About New Motherhood (Exclusive)

Keke Palmer x Chips Ahoy!

Keke Palmer is opening up about some of the challenges that come along with new motherhood, and namely, some of what she feels are major misconceptions.

The multi-hyphenate talent, who has been in the spotlight since a very young age, welcomed her first child in February 2023—a baby boy named Leodis with Darius Jackson.

As with any transition, though, walking into a new life chapter comes with its own set of hardships, and with becoming a parent being such a huge shift, there are several misconceptions she's observed so far that are associated with the title “mother.”

For the Nope star, she rests in the reassurance that you don't "need all these rule books," despite the idea that the opposite is true. In an exclusive interview with Parade on Friday, March 22, the 30-year-old said, "Honestly, even the mom that thinks it didn't come natural to her, it was exactly what that baby needed."

Related: Moms Are Up in Arms After Keke Palmer Spoke Out About Experiencing 'Breast Milk Discrimination'

While Palmer noted that worrying about being a good mom is "natural," she encouraged, "You are the perfect mom for your baby. There's no wrong or right—everything that you do, everything you're learning; all the lessons and all the figuring it out, you are perfectly suited for your child."

"The reality and the truth is that there is no perfect anything, there's just you doing the thing," she added. "Once you have that confidence to just trust yourself, it becomes so much easier."

Through her own massive influence, though, she hopes to help change the narrative and stigmas surrounding moms being "nuanced people."

"There's this idea of what a mom looks like, and I don't really think that's fair because every mom is different," she said, doubling down that "moms are people and individuals" and "what's so important about being a parent is that your child sees you" being yourself and having an "independent life."

But difficulties and "uphill battle" of mothering aside, the Scream Queens alum still basks in the sweetness of her new role—and, of course, her baby boy—just as she does one of her favorite snacks, Chips Ahoy! cookies.

Through her partnership with the iconic cookie brand—who is debuting a fresh, newly-improved recipe this spring—the Key TV creator is looking to open the opportunity for others to get the chance to savor some sweetness for themselves with the Chips Ahoy! MMMProved Getaway Sweepstakes, which will allow one lucky winner to enjoy an all-expenses paid weekend at a luxury Malibu beach house inspired by Chips Ahoy! Cookies.

Cookie-lovers can enter the contest from now through May 31 via social media.

Next: Keke Palmer Fans Declare Son Leo Is Her 'Twin' in Hilarious New Pics