Jennifer Garner and Sheryl Lee Ralph Discuss Why They Keep "Healthy Relationships" With Their Exes

Jennifer Garner and Sheryl Lee Ralph got candid on giving their children a normal life outside of the spotlight, along with navigating co-parenting with their respective exes.

By Alexandra Bellusci Jun 11, 2023 5:35 PMTags
Watch: Jennifer Garner Says Kids Prefer Ex Ben Affleck's Movies

Jennifer Garner and Sheryl Lee Ralph have once again proven to be Hollywood mom goals.

The actresses recently bonded over how they maintain a sense of normality for their kids, along with keeping the peace with their respective exes.

"With all the celebrity and all of that, I feel like I have a very normal life, and I think you have that similar sort of vibe," the Abbott Elementary star told Jennifer during Variety's Actors on Actors series June 10, "and we love our kids."

The 13 Going on 30 star echoed Sheryl's sentiments. 

"Yeah and all the stuff that comes with it," Jennifer, said before adding that "the mess of parenting" is "a gift."

Along with being A-list moms, Jennifer and Sheryl both have gone through divorces in the public eye. Jennifer split from Ben Affleck in 2015 and the two share three children: Violet, 17, Seraphina Rose, 14, and Samuel, 11. Meanwhile Sheryl is mom to Etienne Maurice, 31 and Ivy-Victoria, 28, with ex-husband Eric Maurice. (The pair split in 2001.)

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Jennifer Garner's Best Roles

"But when I look at my kids, when I see you and your kids, I was like, ‘Girl, we did that,'" Sheryl continued, to which the Alias star agreed, "We're doing it."

"Yes, we are and I love it," the Dreamgirls actress responded, "It's a good thing."

And although Jennifer has kept her kids largely out of the spotlight, last month the 51-year-old gave a little glimpse into one area her kids may play favorites in.

"They don't mind watching their dad," Jennifer confessed to Allure in an interview published May 9, "but they kind of want me to be their mom. They don't want to see me upset and women cry more in what we do. And they don't really want to see me in a romantic thing."

But when it comes to being their mom, the Yes Day actress admitted that her parenting style has evolved since her first born in 2005.

"I was such a first-time mom. [My eldest daughter] didn't have a shot," she shared. "She couldn't have a free thought—I was all over her. I was a nightmare for everyone around me." 

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