Jennifer Garner Says Her Parenting Style Has 'Shifted' Now That Her Kids Are Teenagers: 'You Have to Let Them Grow Up'
- - Jennifer Garner Says Her Parenting Style Has 'Shifted' Now That Her Kids Are Teenagers: 'You Have to Let Them Grow Up'
Hannah SacksJanuary 8, 2026 at 2:23 AM
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Jennifer Garner -
Jennifer Garner is sharing how her parenting has changed now that her kids are older
The actress called her kids "so cool" and said that her mentality on parenting has "shifted"
Garner shares her three kids with ex Ben Affleck
Jennifer Garner is opening up about how her parenting has changed now that her three kids have entered a different stage of life.
In a new interview with Marie Claire UK, the actress, 53, shared that she's been loving watching her three kids — Samuel, 13, Seraphina, 16, and Violet, 20, whom she shares with ex Ben Affleck – step into their teenage and adult years.
Describing her kids as "so cool," Garner admitted that her parenting has now "shifted."
"It's more about parenting with a button on my mouth," she explained. "You have to let them grow up and make their choices. You don't get to control it."
Garner said she's "so proud of how they walk through the world, and proud of them for trying hard."
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Jennifer Garner
Back in October, Affleck made a few rare comments about co-parenting with Garner as he attended the premiere of Kiss of the Spider-Woman, which he produced. Speaking with Access Hollywood, the dad of three was also asked about his daughter Violet, who recently testified at the United Nations.
“I could not be more proud of my children. I can’t even tell you,” said Affleck.
“[Violet] takes after her mom. She’s spectacular," he continued, referring to Garner. "And I’m very lucky that I’ve got a great partner and that we got great kids. It’s the joy of my life and I’m just very, very lucky. And it makes me happy every day."
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Jennifer Garner
Then this December, an exclusive source told PEOPLE that Affleck was invited to celebrate the Christmas holiday with Garner and their three kids.
"Just like they celebrated Thanksgiving together, Ben is invited to celebrate Christmas with Jen and the kids too," the insider said. "They just have this nice routine now that works for everyone."
"He spends a lot of time at Jen's house and is constantly around for his kids," the insider continued. "It makes everyone happy. Jen's still dating John."
The former couple split in 2015 after 10 years of marriage, officially divorcing three years later. After getting divorced, Garner and Affleck moved on to other relationships. The 13 Going on 30 star has been dating CEO John Miller on and off since 2018, while Affleck was married to Jennifer Lopez for two years before she filed for divorce in August 2024.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
