By james art Laura Govan opens up about her co-parenting relationship with her ex-partner, former NBA player Gilbert Arenas.
In a recent interview with Carlos King, Govan opened up about the challenges of raising four children with Arenas, describing how their rocky pasts continue to take a toll on their relationship.
Reflecting on their tumultuous history, she explained: “We were never married… our relationship today is the same as it was 12 years ago. In fact, it got worse.”
Govan explained that things have gotten worse because Arenas is now using their children to get to her.
“Now he’s using the kids. Now he knows how to manipulate it because he can’t directly bother me… he’s attacking the maternal side of it.”
One of the most difficult times in Govan’s life came shortly after their separation, when she and her children were temporarily homeless.
She said: “We were in the car for two days. I haven’t called a single person. I could call anyone to find a hotel, to stay at someone’s house with my four children. And I said “No”. you know what I kept telling myself, “I got myself into this mess; I will get myself and my babies out of this.
Through it all, Govan says he respects Arenas’ role as a father, insisting, “Gilbert, play fair. I have always given you the title of fatherhood; I never took it away.”
However, she believes he fails as a father, expressing that he doesn’t even coach their children, who follow in his footsteps to play basketball.
Instead, he spends money on lavish gifts that are not essential. “They don’t need chains. My son had a chain with diamonds in them. What are we doing? How about paying for his school? How about buying them shoes?’
Arenas provides monthly child support of $7,000, but Govan claims that is not enough to cover basic things like education and daily needs.
However, she was able to provide for her children and her main concern is that Arenas is not “playing fair.”
“They almost live two different lives, but they hardly see it… Play fair! I haven’t done enough to you to just move on.
Gilbert Arenas and Laura Govan are the parents of four children: Aliyah, Aloni, Hamili and Isela Arenas.