Jennifer Garner Shares Honest Truth About Co-Parenting with Ben Affleck

Jennifer Garner andBen Affleck are trying to co-parent in the best way possible for their children. The13 Going on 30actor revealed there are some needed adjustments and “a bit of a loss” when trying to make things work.

There’s no denying that Garner and Affleck were one of the “it” couples of the early 2000s before they announced their divorce in 2015. The two share three children, Fin, Violet, and Samuel, who are now 17, 20, and 13 years old.

Garner spoke about the dynamics of co-parenting with her ex on Bustle’s One NightstandYouTube series. She discussed how she tackles raising her children with a conscientious upbringing, and admits she has to take on two parental roles.

“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 dad and mom,” said Garner.

“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.

The Elektra actor goes on to say that there is a “little bit of a loss in that,” but does admit that there are aspects to be gained from the experience as well. She also realized it’s a learning experience and to “let go and not focus so much on bringing up.”

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Garner and Affleck have often been photographed spending time together with their children as a family since their divorce. During their marriage, Garner often praised Affleck for helping her in her life and being an “incredibly loving and generous man.” Affleck was also quoted as saying that all marriages take work and that his then-wife was “more perfect than I am.”

In 2019, Garner got candid on co-parenting with Affleck, saying they have to “adapt,” having gotten used to it in the spotlight of Hollywood. Speaking with Marie Claire UK in a rare statement about the divorce, she admitted to not being able to handle “what was out there.”

“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 said.

Garner has been in a relationship with businessman and attorney John C. Miller since 2022, with Affleck having married Jennifer Lopez that same year and finalized their divorce in 2025.