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Dear Daughter

BBC World Service

Extraordinary letters written from parents to their children with Namulanta Kombo. Sharing amazing real-life experiences, parenting advice, family stories and life lessons.

Dear Daughter is an award-winning podcast from the BBC World Service about love, life, family, and raising children. It is the brainchild of Namulanta Kombo, a mother on a quest to create a ‘handbook to life’ for her daughter, through the advice of parents from all over the world.

Each episode, a guest reads a letter they’ve written to their children (or their future children, or the children they never had) with the advice, life lessons, and personal stories they’d like to pass on.

Expect unbelievable true stories, inspirational advice for parents, and moving accounts of families, relationships and raising children.

Share your letter! What do you want to say to your kids? Or the next generation? Do you have thoughts on motherhood, fatherhood, or parenthood to share? Whether you are a mum or mom, dad or papa, grandparent, uncle, aunt, daughter, son or just want to write a letter, send us a Whatsapp message on +44 800 030 4404 or visit bbcworldservice.com/deardaughter.

You can read our privacy notice here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3ZFHNV8v7qgTm1zbKbkwsvR/dear-daughter-privacy-notice

  • 87 episodes
  • Updated June 5

Episodes87

  • Apr 30, 2023 · 21 min

    Making friends

    The Scummy Mummies on friendship, bullying and embracing the chaos of parenting

  • Apr 23, 2023 · 22 min

    Generation gap

    How to give advice people will actually listen to.

  • Apr 16, 2023 · 26 min

    Without mum

    The challenges of parenting as a widower

  • Apr 9, 2023 · 27 min

    Grandma’s gift

    Follow your dreams - but remember your roots

  • Apr 2, 2023 · 23 min

    Spend some, save some

    Talking to children about money can be awkward, but it’s important to start young

  • Mar 26, 2023 · 24 min

    I’m not fine

    Why are women expected to endure pain in silence?

  • Mar 13, 2023 · 25 min

    Kids? No pressure

    You don’t need to give me a grandchild. Simone promises it will be up to her daughter

  • Mar 6, 2023 · 27 min

    Healing letters

    The 'Queen of Letters', Isabel Allende, on writing, processing grief and a full garage

  • Feb 27, 2023 · 27 min

    Your dad, my dad

    Marian’s dad left when she was young. Now she’s giving her daughter a “most special gift”

  • Feb 14, 2023 · 3 min

    Coming soon: Season 2

    Back on 27 February, with more stories, and more of your letters for daughters everywhere

  • Mar 21, 2022 · 22 min

    Growing pains

    Teenage conflict, pushing boundaries and the unexpected letter. #DearDaughter

  • Mar 14, 2022 · 25 min

    I left for you

    Raquel left her children to work abroad, so she could give them a better life

  • Mar 7, 2022 · 23 min

    Birds and bees

    “Nothing is off limits.” Daisy on how she will talk to her daughter about sex

  • Feb 28, 2022 · 30 min

    Empty arms

    Deborah writes to her daughter Sibby, who was stillborn. This episode discusses baby loss

  • Feb 21, 2022 · 26 min

    The confidence of a cockroach

    “Jump off the dumpster of doubt!” Comedian Tumi Morake on challenging her fear of failure

  • Feb 14, 2022 · 23 min

    Fly bird, fly

    “Learn something bigger.” Nkule wants her daughter to discover life beyond her home town

  • Feb 7, 2022 · 23 min

    Seize the day

    “I never want to disappoint someone.” The pitfalls of people-pleasing

  • Jan 31, 2022 · 24 min

    Faith in you

    The best of both worlds? One new baby, two religions and parents trying to figure it out

  • Jan 24, 2022 · 23 min

    Perfect match

    Matchmakers, a fake engagement ring and love; welcome to the marriage game. #DearDaughter