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Introduction

When a couple of years ago a friend of , kind woirl a feht was that I did not know

It felt like too huge a task

But I had spoken publicly about feminism and perhaps that made her feel I was an expert on the subject I had over the years also helped care for many babies of loved ones; I had worked as a babysitter and helped raiseand listening, and I had done even

In response to my friend’s request, I decided to write her a letter, which I hoped would be honest and practical, while also serving as aThis book is a version of that letter, with soed

Now that I, too, airl, I realize how easy it is to dispense advice about raising a child when you are not facing the enormously complex reality of it yourself

Still, I think it ischildren differently, about trying to create a fairer world for women and men

My friend sent estions

And in rereading these as a mother, I, too, am determined to try

Dear Ijeawele,

What joy And what lovely names: Chizalum Adaora She is so beautiful Only a week old and she already looks curious about the world What ainto the world “Congratulations” feels too slight