Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck at the Oscars on February 24, 2013 in Hollywood, California ; Jennifer Garner and her daughter Violet Affleck arrive at the White House state dinner on December 1, 2022 in Washington, DC.Credit : Jason Merritt/Getty ; ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty
When Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck finalized their divorce in 2018, their love story as a couple ended—but their shared commitment to parenting never did. Even years later, the former Hollywood power couple continues to put their three children first, navigating fame, privacy, and the everyday challenges of raising kids in the public eye.
Married from 2005 to 2018, Garner and Affleck share three children: Violet Anne, Seraphina Rose Elizabeth, and Samuel Garner. While their personal lives have evolved, one thing has stayed constant—their focus on being present, thoughtful parents.
Below is a closer, human look at what Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck have openly shared about parenting, co-parenting, and growing up under the spotlight.
How Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck Approach Parenting
Despite their celebrity status, both Garner and Affleck have repeatedly emphasized a desire for normalcy. From limiting paparazzi exposure to advocating for child privacy laws, they’ve taken a firm stand on protecting their kids’ emotional well-being.
Ben Affleck has spoken candidly about how public perception didn’t truly bother him—until his children became old enough to read headlines themselves. That realization reshaped how he viewed fame and fatherhood, pushing him to prioritize time, presence, and honesty at home.
Jennifer Garner, meanwhile, has been equally vocal about the emotional toll of constant media attention on children, calling it “scary” and anxiety-inducing for young kids who never asked for fame.
Violet Anne Affleck (20): Privacy, Advocacy, and Purpose
Born on December 1, 2005, Violet was the couple’s first child—and the one most affected early on by paparazzi culture. Garner has shared powerful memories of Violet speaking out as a young child, expressing fear and frustration over being chased by cameras.
That experience helped inspire Garner’s advocacy for stricter laws protecting children from intrusive photography.
As Violet grew older, she maintained a low public profile, with only rare appearances—such as attending a White House state dinner and later speaking before the L.A. County Board of Supervisors on public health issues.
Now a student at Yale University, Violet has emerged as a thoughtful young voice in public health, even addressing the United Nations and publishing academic work on wildfire and COVID-19 impacts—proving that privacy and purpose can coexist.
Seraphina Rose Elizabeth Affleck (17): Creativity and Quiet Confidence
Born in January 2009, Seraphina arrived when Garner and Affleck were already deep into parenthood. Friends close to the couple often described them as natural parents—and Affleck himself has joked about excelling at tea parties with almost no effort.
As their family grew, Affleck admitted that his career decisions shifted dramatically. Time became more valuable than titles or box office numbers, and directors who understood that earned his deep respect.
Even after the couple’s separation, they’ve continued to show up together for milestones—like Seraphina’s birthday celebrations—quietly reinforcing their united front as parents.
Samuel Garner Affleck (13): Sports, Humor, and Letting Go
The youngest, Samuel, was born in February 2012 and quickly bonded with his dad over sports. A devoted Boston fan, Affleck proudly coached Samuel’s Little League team—sometimes rearranging international travel just to make a game.
Their playful father-son dynamic has produced some humorous moments, including Affleck’s now-famous “existential crisis” when Samuel declared himself an L.A. sports fan instead of Boston.
But beneath the jokes lies a deeper parenting lesson Affleck has shared openly: knowing when to step back. As Samuel got into basketball, Affleck admitted to catching himself being that parent on the sidelines—before reminding himself that modern parenting is about guidance, not control.
Life After Divorce: What Stayed the Same
Since their split, both Garner and Affleck have moved on romantically and professionally. Yet, they’ve consistently shown mutual respect and alignment when it comes to raising their children.
Their story stands out not because it’s perfect—but because it’s honest. They’ve spoken about fear, mistakes, growth, and learning to “get out of the way” so their kids can become their own people.
And in today’s celebrity culture, that may be the most relatable parenting lesson of all.
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