Dwyane Wade 'Missed Structure' as a Kid, Says He Wants Wants to 'Lead With Love' as a Dad

Dwyane Wade with daughter Kaavia.Photo: © Bob Metelus Dwyane Wade’s new photographic memoirDwyaneis a tribute to his basketball career, but it’s also a space to reflect on his childhood and his goals as a parent. In an interview with PEOPLE, the NBA star explains that he “missed structure” as a kid. Wade’s childhood taught him what he does and doesn’t want for his own family, he says. “Yeah, of course it impacted me, my parents going through addictions in life, and their addictions took them down a path that was solely for them and about them,” says Wade, 39, of his childhood.

Dwyane Wade Addresses the Backlash He Receives for Being an Accepting Father

As someone who’s been in the public eye for several decades,Dwyane Wadeknows what it’s like to deal with haters.While speaking about his and his sonZaire’s new apparel collection in support of LGBTQI+ Pride month, the former NBA star, 39, opens up to PEOPLE about being an accepting father to his five children and dealing with the backlash he receives for his style of parenting.Dwyane, who is also dad to sons Xavier, 7 (Dwyane’s from an ex) and Dahveon, 19, (Dwyane’s nephew) as well as daughters Zaya, 14, andKaavia James, 2, whom he shares with Gabrielle Union, says he doesn’t “focus on the hate” and continues to advocate for what he believes in.

Dwyane Wade Admits He Was 'Afraid' After Becoming a Dad at 20: 'You Don't Want to Mess Up'

Photo: Dwyane Wade/Instagram Dwyane Wadehas been a parent for 18 years now, but that doesn’t mean he has fatherhood completely figured out. The NBA legend, 38, spoke with PEOPLE ahead of the premiere of his documentaryD. Wade: Life Unexpected, where he opened up about, among other aspects of his life, how his perspective of parenthood has changed since he welcomed his first child, now-18-year-old sonZaire. Admitting he’s “always scared” as a parent, Wade — who’s also dad toKaavia James, 15 months,Xavier Zechariah, 6, andZaya, 12, as well as the guardian of nephewDahveon Morris, 18 — says he’s “scared in a different way now” than when he became a first-time father at barely 20 years old.

Dwyane Wade Admits He Was 'Freaking Out' When He Discovered Old Navy — About the Affordable Prices!

Dwyane Wadeis learning new things in his retirement. The former NBA star, who decided to retire in 2019 after 17 successful seasons, has been taking his newfound free time to really embrace regular life — including shopping at Old Navy. In May, his wife,Gabrielle Union, poked fun at her husband while onThe Late Show with James Cordenfor being in awe of the store the first time he went shopping there. She also revealed he thought a gallon of milk cost $20.

Dwyane Wade Advocates for Trans Community and Daughter Zaya amid Anti-LGBT Legislation: 'Focus on Acceptance'

Photo: Arturo Holmes/MG23/Getty The only sideDwyane Wadeis taking is “the side of acceptance,” he said at the Met Gala on Monday night. Wade, 41, took a moment to advocate for the transgender community whenVarietyasked the NBA star for a message toRon DeSantisamid the Florida governor’s anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. “I don’t know him,” Wade began, adding, “But I do know men lie, women lie, but numbers don’t.” The three-time NBA champion — whose 15-year-old daughterZayacame out as transgender in 2020 — explained the importance of acceptance in children’s lives, and specifically in the homes of transgender youth.