Gabrielle Union Despises The Term Step Parent

“The stepparent label was put on me by the kids’ school because you have to describe yourself: Who are you if you’re not their mother? It’s very annoying. It’s not a word that I use.”

Gabrielle Union married NBA superstar Dwyane Wade, 39, in 2014, becoming a stepmother to his two children from a prior marriage, and a nephew that he takes care of. The couple share a 3-year-old daughter named Kaavia James together.

“I wanted to make sure I was consistent in their lives, Whatever personality I was trying on that day, or whoever I was, I just needed to be consistent so they can get used to me. They’ve already gone through so much upheaval, moving states away, not knowing anyone, having gone through a divorce. I knew I needed to be consistent. I just didn’t know what my role was.”

She continued,

“I knew that when I married him, I was married to them. What I realized very quickly is you will never, ever, I don’t care if the other parent is dead, you will never be able to replace the other parent. Don’t try to replace the other parent. That is not your job. Your job is to be consistent.”