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Jennifer Garner is opening up about the emotional realities of raising children after divorce, admitting that co-parenting with ex-husband Ben Affleck comes with both growth and quiet moments of loss.
During a candid conversation with Bustle's One Nightstand podcast, the 53-year-old actress reflected on how parenting has evolved since she and Affleck ended their marriage. The former couple share three children Violet, 20, Seraphina, 17, and Samuel, 13, and have remained closely involved in their upbringing.
Garner explained that parenting from separate homes naturally shifts the balance. "I think that I do a bit of both. 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 mom and dad," she said. Without both parents under one roof, she noted, each parent has to stretch into roles that might previously have been shared. "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," she added.
Even so, Garner was clear that the experience is not purely negative. "There's a little bit of loss in that, but there's also something gained in that," she said, describing the emotional complexity that comes with adapting to a new family structure.
Garner and Affleck, both 53, separated in 2015 after a decade of marriage and finalized their divorce three years later. Despite the split, they have consistently presented a united front for their children, often appearing together at family milestones and school events.
The actress has discussed how her approach to parenting is changing as her children get older. She explained that her role now focuses more on guiding them while allowing them space to make their own decisions, rather than trying to control every aspect of their lives. She has also expressed admiration for her kids, saying that seeing them grow into their teenage and young adult years has been a truly rewarding experience.
Affleck has likewise praised their co-parenting partnership. Speaking about daughter Violet at a recent event, he said, "I could not be more proud of my children. I can't even tell you." He added, "[Violet] takes after her mom. She's spectacular," before acknowledging Garner as "a great partner" in raising their kids.
Elsewhere, Affleck has been candid about the challenges of parenting in the public eye, noting that fame can complicate family life. He has said the pair aim to give their children space to discover their own paths.
