Why I Thought I Wouldn’t Be A Good Mother – Chimamanda Adichie

Chimamanda Adichie reveals she used to think she wouldn’t be a good mother due to her dedication to art.

The famous Nigerian author is now of the opinion that having a child gets in the way of writing. In an interview with David Marchese of the Vulture, she recalled: “Yes. I used to think I wouldn’t be a good mother because I was so dedicated to my art. I said to myself, I have nephews and nieces who I adore, and I helped raise them, so those will be my children. That’s what I thought for a long time because I felt that I couldn’t be true to both my art and my child.”

In June, Chimamanda was widely criticised after she disclosed her issues with men holding doors for women during a recent chat with Trevor Noah. According to Chimamanda, getting older changed her views and perception about having a child. “Getting older. I like to joke and say that you’re ready [to have a child] when your body isn’t ready, and when your body is ready, you’re not mentally ready,” she explained. “I guess you have the best eggs when you’re, like, 22, but at 22 you don’t even know yourself. Then when you’re 38 and know yourself, your eggs are not the best quality.”

“Anyway, we’ll talk about eggs another time. But my baby happened, and it’s important to talk honestly about this because having her changed a lot. Having a child gets in the way of writing. It does. You can’t own your time the way you used to.”

Photo Credit: Getty

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