Singer-songwriter Deborah Cox and her longtime husband Lascelles Stephens — married in 1998 — are parents to three young children.

The couple welcomed their first child, son Isaiah, on July 1, 2003, followed by their second child, daughter Sumayah on June 29, 2006, and third baby, daughter Kaila Michelle, on February 23, 2009.

While Cox was mostly occupied in her career when the kids were born, her husband helped her find a balance between her career and raising children.

During a promotional stop in Toronto in November 2012 (via The Globe and Mail), the singer said she could only find a balance because of the tremendous support she had, especially from her spouse, Stephens, who also happens to be a songwriter, producer, and now full-time manager.

“My mother, my mother-in-law, aunts, uncles, sisters, they’ll come down for a month at a time. Everyone chips in. It’s about staying connected, and we make sure that happens. I want my children to know who their relatives are,” she added.

Deborah Cox and Husband Met at High School

The beautiful story of Cox and her husband, leading up to their children, started long back when the now-married couple met at high school. 

The singer attended John XXIII Catholic Elementary School in Scarborough, Claude Watson School for the Arts, and later enrolled at Earl Haig Secondary School in Toronto.

After completing her education, she failed to land a deal with a Canadian record label. Hence, she traveled to Los Angeles with Stephens in 1994 to further pursue her career.

She soon became a backing vocalist for Celine Dion for six months and, while she was on tour, she met renowned music producer Clive Davis, who agreed to produce her self-titled debut album.

During all that, Cox’s partner stood by her side and helped her start her career. Meanwhile, he also introduced himself as a songwriter and music producer.

Deborah Cox’s Husband Helped Her Raise Children

As stated earlier, Stephens played a big role in assisting the singer to raise their kids by helping her find the balance between work and family.

Deborah Cox and her children pose for a selfie together.

Deborah Cox and her children pose for a selfie together. (Photo: Instagram)

During a 2008 interview, she also admitted that motherhood was a “selfless role,” saying she wouldn’t recommend being a mother to anybody who didn’t like to share “because it really is what you have to do when you become a mother.”

She continued to share that one really has to be available to their kids and their needs. 

Meanwhile, she said she was “still learning” to balance her career and family because it took a lot out of any parents.

“So being the kind of people that we are, my husband and I, we pride ourselves on being able to do it thus far without a nanny,” she added.

At present, Cox and Stephens enjoy their time being parents to their kids. Between the two, the singer especially takes to Instagram often to share pictures of her family.

Most recently, she shared pictures of herself with her little ones in November 2021, stating she felt grateful that she and her family overcame a tough few years that arose because of the COVID-19 pandemic.