Jennifer Garner opened up about how her children, Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel, perceive her, revealing that they find her “fully cringe.” The actress, who shares her three kids with ex Ben Affleck, discussed their honest reactions during an interview on The Jennifer Hudson Show earlier this month.
Garner, 53, explained that her kids often find her “embarrassing” and that gaining “cool points” from them remains a challenge as they navigate their teenage and young adult years. When asked what she does to seem cool in their eyes, she responded,
I am fully cringe. I am only embarrassing.
Jennifer Garner
Why the Kids Avoid Watching Their Mom on Screen
The star also revealed that her children are reluctant to watch her new series, The Last Thing He Told Me, currently streaming on Apple TV+. Despite her starring role alongside Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, known for his part as Jamie Lannister in HBO’s Game of Thrones, her offspring aren’t enthusiastic about tuning in.
Garner explained,
“I asked my kids if they were going to watch this season of the show [season 2], and they were like, ‘Do you need us to?’”
She elaborated that kids tend to avoid seeing their parents portraying emotional or romantic scenes, saying,
“Kids don’t want to see their parents in … right? They don’t want to see us cry, or see us have a romantic scene, or anything. We’re just embarrassing.”
Still, Garner noted that starring with Coster-Waldau might have boosted her appeal with her son Samuel, who is
really into Game of Thrones right now
. Jennifer Garner
Parenting Through the Teen and Adult Years
Reflecting on how her parenting has evolved, Garner described a shift toward giving her kids more independence as they grow older. During a conversation with Marie Claire UK, she shared,
“Parenting now has shifted. It’s more about parenting with a button on my mouth.”
She emphasized the need to allow children to make their own choices, saying,
You have to let them grow up and make their choices. You don’t get to control it.
Jennifer Garner
Despite the challenges, she expressed pride in her children’s efforts and character, stating she is
so proud of how they walk through the world, and proud of them for trying hard.
Jennifer Garner
The Challenges of Raising Kids in the Public Eye
Garner acknowledged that navigating family life under constant media attention can be difficult. She described the experience as
“not hard in the grand scheme of what is hard in the world, but tricky for me and tricky for my family.”
This candid admission highlights the unique pressures faced by parents in Hollywood, especially when their children are growing up in the spotlight alongside famous parents like Ben Affleck.
As her children mature and carve their own paths, Garner’s openness about their candid views and her own struggles offers a rare glimpse into the balancing act of maintaining a family while managing a high-profile career.
