"We're super conditioned to not center ourselves in our own stories," Union said. "It is OK to center yourself and your needs and advocate for yourself."
She spoke to Lowes on parenting podcast Katie's Crib, released by Shondaland.
Gabrielle Union, you're no doubt aware, is a delight. And she's pretty delightful as a parent, too (some evidence: This adorable video with baby Kaavia (opens in new tab), and this lovely tribute she and husband Dwyane Wade paid to daughter Zaya (opens in new tab)). In a recent appearance on Katie Lowes' Shondaland podcast Katie's Crib, as Peoplereports (opens in new tab), she spoke about her difficulties with infertility, her surrogacy experience, and her parenting journey. What's more, Union stressed the importance of prioritizing self-care as a parent and resisting societal pressure to "[give] every part of ourselves to other people." And if you're struggling to give adequate time and attention to your own needs? I very much recommend you listen to her advice.
"We're super conditioned to not center ourselves in our own stories," she said. "Anything less than giving everything, every part of ourselves to other people, we're that selfish bitch, we're the bad mom, we're the bad wife, we're the bad friend, when you don't give every piece of yourself to everyone else whenever they feel like they need it," she continued.
"It is OK to center yourself and your needs and advocate for yourself and be the center of your own story, and be your best self for yourself, so you can offer—in reasonable doses, as you see fit—parts of you to other people," Union stressed. "We say in our family and in our crew, 'We all we got.' But that includes the motherfucker in the mirror. Start with you first."
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(Image credit: Andrew Toth)
March 7, 2020
Dwyane Wade, Zaya, and Gabrielle Union stunned in matching custom Rich Fresh suits. Union wore a pair of Bottega Veneta sandals (opens in new tab).
(Image credit: Michael Reaves)
February 22, 2020
Union at the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers game wearing Prada lace-up shoes (opens in new tab).
(Image credit: Johnny Nunez)
February 15, 2020
Union and Wade attended the Stance Spades at NBA All-Star event. She wore a Nanushka jacket (opens in new tab) and J Brand leather pants (opens in new tab).
(Image credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin)
February 9, 2020
Union attended the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscars after-party in a sheer Giambattista Valli dress and Jimmy Choo heels (opens in new tab).
(Image credit: Noam Galai)
February 1, 2020
Union at the BUDX Miami event while wearing a leather dress and Amina Muaddi mules (opens in new tab).
(Image credit: Samir Hussein)
January 20, 2020
The power couple attended the Ralph and Russo (opens in new tab) spring/summer 2020 show. Union donned a white couture dress from the fashion house.
(Image credit: Christian Vierig)
January 19, 2020
Union in Paris for Menswear Fashion Week. She stunned in an orange strapless Christopher John Rogers dress (opens in new tab).
(Image credit: Dominique Charriau)
January 19, 2020
Union attended the Lanvin Menswear fashion show while wearing Lanvin (opens in new tab) head to toe.
(Image credit: Donato Sardella)
January 04, 2020
Union repped Saint Laurent to the Saint Laurent (opens in new tab) Pre-Golden Globes Party hosted By Anthony Vaccarello and Rami Malek.
The star wore a custom feathered polka dot dress from Prada, a Prada headband (opens in new tab), and Tabitha Simmons heels (opens in new tab) for an event in Madrid.
(Image credit: Bravo)
May 20, 2019
Union wore Marco di Vincenzo (opens in new tab) for the Watch What Happens Livewith Andy Cohen.
