Dwight Howard’s NBA journey currently isn’t panning out the way he thought. Similarly, his previous decisions in his personal life are also affecting him today. Especially monetary-wise, he insists he won’t change everything but the ways he went about his relationship. To those who don’t know, DH-12 is the father of 5 and from five different partners. So what does it lead to? Paying more child support.

Reflecting on his situation, Howard candidly admitted, “My situation; I had five children. So paying child support is crazy.” The financial strain goes beyond child support. Speaking on his podcast, Above The Rim with Dwight Howard, alongside former NBA player Trevor Ariza, the man opened up about the burdens of managing expenses for family needs, including alimony and travel.

Ariza empathized with him, particularly about the challenges of living in California, where financial obligations can be even more taxing. Howard agreed, hinting at the impact this had on one of his children, though he refrained from sharing specifics.

Still, Dwight’s regrets aren’t solely financial. He expressed deep remorse about the example he set for his children. “Yeah, I don’t regret my kids. I regret how I decided to go about having my children,” he shared. “What I mean is, I have five kids by five women. That’s not really the right example to show for my daughters or my sons.”

The aftermath of his choices has clearly taken a toll. Howard acknowledged that his decisions led to challenges both emotionally and financially. “I was misguided. Now, as an older person, I see it. I wish I had done that better because it would’ve saved a lot of heartbreak, a lot of money—a lot of money—but really, a lot of heartbreak,” he reflected.

Despite his regrets, Dwight Howard is committed to being a better role model for his children. His appearance on Dancing With the Stars was one way he hoped to inspire them. He dedicated his performance to his kids, wanting to prove that it’s never too late to embrace new challenges and make positive changes.

That could also be why he is settling into more dad duties and forgoing his NBA career.

A look back at Dwight Howard’s relationships

The 6’10 Center has three sons named Braylon, and Dwight III or Trey, David, and two daughters, Layla and Jayde Howard. His eldest son was born in 2007 to former Orlando Magic cheerleader Royce Reed. Braylon even publically called out Dwight Howard for being an absent father, a claim the former NBA star has denied.

Layla and Jayde were both born in 2010 to different mothers. Layla is the daughter of Tiffany Render, while Jayde was born to Hope Alexa, a fitness model from Vancouver, Canada. In 2023, DH-12 petitioned to claim Layla’s primary custody in November 2023. As per reports, the decision was made in Howard’s favor.

The next two sons also were born in the same year with different partners. Christine Vest gave birth to Dwight III aka Trey Howard. David, meanwhile, was born to Melissa Rios, a real estate agent who tragically passed away in 2020 due to an epileptic seizure.

Now 39, Howard has expressed a renewed commitment to fatherhood.

Reflecting on his past, he acknowledges the challenges and regrets of his earlier choices, but is determined to make amends. By prioritizing his children and their milestones, the former NBA champ is striving to be present in their lives, proving that it’s never too late to embrace the responsibilities that truly matter.