Jennifer Garner opens up about ‘mess of parenting’ with ex-husband Ben Affleck

Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck, who split up in 2015 after 10 years of marriage, are parents to three children: Violet Anne, 17; Seraphina Rose, 13; and Samuel, 10. While the parents are known for being quite private about their parenting, in a recent conversation with Sheryl Lee Ralph in Variety’s Actors on Actors series, Garner spilled some beans on her parenting journey.

Garner revealed that co-parenting with her ex-husband was difficult at first but she is proud of how far they have come.

Sheryl Lee said, “Both of us have gone through divorce. You did something that I did as well, and that was to maintain a healthy relationship with my ex for the health and well-being of my children. And with the spotlight on us all the time, sometimes that can be difficult.”

“All the mess of parenting. It’s a gift,” Jennifer added.

Talking about her own parenting experience, Garner had previously said to Allure that she was “such a first-time mom. My eldest daughter didn’t have a shot. She couldn’t have a free thought – I was all over her. I was a nightmare for everyone around me.“

“Your kids will really figure out who they are and what they are when they’re older, and most likely they will hew toward lovely. I have a lot of faith in my kids. I don’t love every behavior all the time, always. It’s gnarly growing up,” she added.

Ben Affleck tied the knot with Jennifer Lopez in July 2022 and only recently, the couple and Garner made headlines for their ‘co-parenting goals’. Lopez has 15-year-old twins, Maximilian "Max" David Muniz and Emme Maribel Muniz, with ex-husband Marc Anthony.

Garner was clicked with her daughter Seraphina and JLo’s daughter Emme at Disneyland. Lopez was also clicked outside Garner’s house, while dropping off her daughter.

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After Affleck and Lopez’s marriage, sources have revealed that Jen and J.Lo “are very cordial and they have a very healthy and functioning relationship,” according to Entertainment Tonight insider.

They added that the five kids are also getting along and are “learning and growing together as a new, extended family.”

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In a 2021 interview on The Howard Stern Show, Ben Affleck revealed that he and Garner broke up because they simply “grew apart.” He shared, “The truth was, we took our time, we made a decision, we grew apart. We had a marriage that did not work. This happens.”