Jennifer Garner Speaks Candidly About Co-Parenting Realities
In a revealing interview on Bustle's One Nightstand YouTube series, actress Jennifer Garner opened up about the significant challenges of co-parenting her three children with former husband Ben Affleck. The 53-year-old star, known for her role in Alias, discussed raising their children Violet, 20, Fin, 17, and Samuel, 13, across separate households following their divorce.
The Emotional Weight of Divided Parenting
Garner explained that when the children are with her, she must "become mom and dad" to provide comprehensive care. She acknowledged a palpable "loss" inherent in the co-parenting arrangement, stating that families miss "the benefit of both sides of the yin and yang being in the same house." However, she also noted there is something gained through this experience, as it forces adaptation and learning.
"You kind of can't help it, right? Because you don't have the benefit of both sides of the yin and yang being in the same house," Garner told host Charlotte Owen. "There's a little bit of loss in that, but there’s also something gained in that. You also just learn. It's made me let go and not focus so much on bringing up."
Navigating Family Dynamics Post-Divorce
The actress emphasized that both she and Affleck strive to provide balanced parenting despite the separation. "And I think my kids’ dad does too. Especially when your kids grow up in two separate households, I become mom and dad and he becomes dad and mom," she explained.
Garner reflected on the difficulty of their 2018 divorce after thirteen years of marriage, describing it as particularly challenging. "The fact of it is what was hard. The actual breaking up of a family is what was hard. Losing a true partnership and friendship is what was hard," she revealed in a recent Marie Claire UK interview.
Prioritizing Children Amid Hollywood Careers
Despite her successful acting career, Garner has consistently prioritized her children's wellbeing. "It never felt like a sacrifice. It was really hard to go to work and it definitely shaped the jobs I chose, in a big way," she admitted. She expressed immense pride in her children's development, saying "I'm so proud of how they walk through the world, and proud of them for trying hard."
However, she acknowledged the additional challenge of media scrutiny surrounding their family, particularly when Affleck reunited with and married Jennifer Lopez in 2021-2022 before their subsequent divorce filing. "Not hard in the grand scheme of what is hard in the world, but tricky for me and tricky for my family," Garner noted about navigating the spotlight.
Finding Perspective and Moving Forward
In her conversation with Flaunt magazine, Garner explained her decision to speak more openly about her experiences, hoping to help other women facing similar situations. "Time has passed, and other women are going through really hard seasons in their lives, and I think it's helpful to know that time will go on and you will get to the other side," she shared.
"I can say that I feel lighter and happier and more myself [than I have] in a really long time, and I think that's important to know because I really felt like, 'Oh my gosh, has this family shake up — has it changed me forever?'" Garner added, reflecting on her personal growth.
The actress also clarified that a ring she was wearing during the interview was not an engagement ring, despite her seven-year relationship with businessman John Miller, maintaining focus on her family journey rather than romantic developments.
