Jennifer Garner says her years working alongside child actors have unexpectedly helped her become a better mom.
The 53-year-old actress opened up during a recent appearance on Kylie Kelce’s Not Gonna Lie podcast, where she reflected on how bonding with young co-stars has shaped her parenting style. Garner, who shares three children with ex-husband Ben Affleck, said collaborating with kids of all ages has given her insight into communication, patience, and emotional awareness.
“There’s something special about that connection,” she explained, noting that whether she’s working with toddlers, teens, or young adults, she genuinely enjoys building relationships with them. Garner described those on-set dynamics as a kind of “practice run” that helped her better understand how to navigate similar situations at home.
The 13 Going on 30 star also shared advice about parenting older kids. As children grow, she said, the parent-child relationship shifts—and boundaries become more important. Garner suggested that there comes a point when parents need to be mindful about how much they share, acknowledging that kids eventually develop stronger opinions and sensitivities.
Garner co-parents daughters Violet, 20, and Seraphina, 17, and son Samuel, 13, with Affleck. Over the years, she has frequently spoken about striving to keep her children grounded despite growing up in the public eye.
For Garner, working with young performers hasn’t just been part of the job—it’s been a meaningful extension of motherhood.
