Photo: JD Barnes, @jdthecombo
Gabrielle Unionis talking about her journey as a stepmom.TheTruth Be Toldactress, 50, chatted with Tarana Burke for an interview alongside her appearance onHelloBeautiful’s February digital cover. In the candid discussion, Union spoke about the trauma she experienced during her journey to the life she has today.When Burke asked Union how her pursuit of growth and understanding has impacted her family, the actress shared, “I think my journey to self – I had to go back to childhood and examine how I was parented.“The actress shares daughterKaavia James, 4, with husbandDwyane Wade. In addition to Kaavia, Wade is also dad to sonXavier Zechariah, 9, as well as 15-year-old daughterZayaand sonZaire, 20. The former NBA star is also the guardian of nephewDahveon Morris, 21.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.JD Barnes, @jdthecombo"So when I became a stepmom I was like, I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing,” she continued. “They have a mom, she’s alive. I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing, but like I’m here with them every day.“Union admitted that she wondered, “Am I supposed to be a friend?““I had to figure out how to be consistent and nurturing and compassionate and love for each of them. I knew that one size fits all was not gonna work,” she added.JD Barnes, @jdthecomboBoth Wade and Union have been open about what it has been like raising a blended family. In 2017, Union revealed that Wade and his kids changed herentire perspective on what she wanted for her future.“I never wanted kids,” she previously told PEOPLE. “Then I became a stepmom, and there was no place I’d rather be than with them.”
Gabrielle Unionis talking about her journey as a stepmom.
TheTruth Be Toldactress, 50, chatted with Tarana Burke for an interview alongside her appearance onHelloBeautiful’s February digital cover. In the candid discussion, Union spoke about the trauma she experienced during her journey to the life she has today.
When Burke asked Union how her pursuit of growth and understanding has impacted her family, the actress shared, “I think my journey to self – I had to go back to childhood and examine how I was parented.”
The actress shares daughterKaavia James, 4, with husbandDwyane Wade. In addition to Kaavia, Wade is also dad to sonXavier Zechariah, 9, as well as 15-year-old daughterZayaand sonZaire, 20. The former NBA star is also the guardian of nephewDahveon Morris, 21.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
JD Barnes, @jdthecombo
“So when I became a stepmom I was like, I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing,” she continued. “They have a mom, she’s alive. I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing, but like I’m here with them every day.”
Union admitted that she wondered, “Am I supposed to be a friend?”
“I had to figure out how to be consistent and nurturing and compassionate and love for each of them. I knew that one size fits all was not gonna work,” she added.
Both Wade and Union have been open about what it has been like raising a blended family. In 2017, Union revealed that Wade and his kids changed herentire perspective on what she wanted for her future.
“I never wanted kids,” she previously told PEOPLE. “Then I became a stepmom, and there was no place I’d rather be than with them.”
source: people.com
