Jennifer Garner Reveals Co-Parenting Realities With Ben Affleck
Hollywood actress Jennifer Garner has candidly discussed the complex realities of co-parenting her three children with former husband Ben Affleck. The 53-year-old actress opened up about both the "loss" and valuable lessons that come with raising children across two separate households.
The Co-Parenting Dynamic
During an appearance on Bustle's One Nightstand YouTube series, Jennifer Garner spoke about bringing up her children Violet (20), Fin (17), and Samuel (13) following her split from Ben Affleck. The actress was married to Affleck from 2005 until their separation in 2018.
"When the children are with me, I have to become mom and dad," Garner told host Charlotte Owen during the interview. "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."
Balancing Loss and Learning
Jennifer Garner addressed how she finds balance in raising her children with what she described as a "conscientious upbringing" and "appreciation." She elaborated on the unique challenges of co-parenting arrangements.
"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 explained. "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."
Reflections on Marriage Breakdown
According to reports from 'Female First UK,' Jennifer Garner described the breakdown of her marriage as "hard" during an interview with Marie Claire UK last month. The actress shared her perspective on navigating the end of her relationship with Ben Affleck.
"You have to be smart about what you can and can't handle, and I could not handle what was out there," Garner revealed. "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."
Prioritizing Children Over Career
Despite her successful Hollywood career, Jennifer Garner emphasized that putting her children first never felt like a sacrifice. She discussed how motherhood influenced her professional choices and career trajectory.
"It never felt like a sacrifice," Garner stated. "It was really hard to go to work and it definitely shaped the jobs I chose, in a big way."
Navigating Public Scrutiny
The actress also addressed the challenges of raising children in the public eye, particularly during periods of increased media attention. She specifically mentioned the period when Ben Affleck reunited with Jennifer Lopez in 2021.
"Not hard in the grand scheme of what is hard in the world, but tricky for me and tricky for my family," Garner said about navigating public scrutiny during sensitive family transitions.
Jennifer Garner's honest reflections provide insight into the realities of modern co-parenting arrangements, particularly for high-profile families navigating separation while maintaining focus on their children's wellbeing and development.
