Wade and his Ex-Wife Siovaughn Wade had a very messy and public divorce that spilled over to a fight over custody of their two sons Zaire and Zion.
There are no “winners” in this type of situation, the biggest concern is how it will effect the kids.
Regardless if you are making 50k a year or 50 million you never know how a divorce will affect a child’s psyche.
Wade penned an op-ed piece for Newsweek speaking about some of those challenges here are some of the things that he had to say.
I’ve had some ups and downs lately, but the memories of the unpleasant times disappear quickly, in part because of moments like the one recently when I was able to surprise my younger son, Zion, at his school with cupcakes for his fourth birthday. It was the day after we’d won the Eastern Conference finals, but that victory couldn’t compare with the huge smile on Zion’s face at that moment. I will never forget it. Bad memories vanish each morning when I walk into both of my sons’ bedrooms to wake them up for school—their laughter gives me all I need to face whatever is happening in my life. Not too long ago, due to custody issues, I wasn’t allowed to see my sons for long periods of time, or was given the chance to see them for only a few hours with no idea of if or when I’d see them again. I can’t describe how trying those days were, fighting for full custody while also working as a professional basketball player nine months of the year. I just knew I wanted to be with my kids.
I was seriously motivated to be a full-time parent for my sons. My mother and father weren’t together when I was a kid growing up in Chicago, and early on my mother fell victim to drug abuse. At 9 years old, I moved in with my father because my mother could no longer care for me. Looking back, I now see so many similarities between my own childhood and that of my sons. My father stepped in when I needed him, and that gave me the chance for a better life. That’s what I’m doing for my boys now.
All children need their fathers, but boys especially need fathers to teach them how to be men. I remember wanting that so badly before I went to live with my dad. I wanted someone to teach me how to tie a tie and walk the walk, things only a man can teach a boy.
I’ve gotten a lot of support from my mother, sister, and others in taking care of my boys and making their new living arrangements a smooth and happy transition. Going forward, I want my sons to have a healthy relationship with their mother, and that’s something we’re working on. I hope to have a great relationship with her one day too, because I know how much it meant to me to see my parents get along as time went on.
I know a lot of people will point to the fact that Wade started a relationship with Gabrielle Union while he as married, so he brought a lot of hardships on himself. They will also point out he is doing what he is “suppose” to do as a father and shouldn’t be applauded for it.
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Both are valid points, but just remember even though it should be human nature for men to want to take responsibility for their children many don’t.
You don’t see many men with full custody of their children or even attempt to fight for that. Wade is in a position financially to do things that most men couldn’t, but as I have said before no amount of money in the world can take the place of spending time with your kids.
I hope at one point Wade and Siovaughn do work it out because in the end that is what is best for their sons.
