Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck’s Kids: Everything They’ve Said About Parenting

Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck were married from 2005 to 2018 and share three children together — Violet, Seraphina and Samuel

Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck are famously proud — and private — parents.

The Yes Day actress and the Gone Girl star split in 2015 after 10 years of marriage, officially divorcing three years later. Together, they co-parent their three children: Violet Anne, 18, Seraphina Rose, 15, and Samuel, 12.

Over the years, the former pair have worked hard to keep their kids out of the spotlight, particularly regarding paparazzi photos and social media. In 2013, Garner joined a group of celebrity parents led by Halle Berry to pass a bill that outlawed paparazzi photos of children taken without permission. She’s also been outspoken about her decision to keep her kids off social media, saying she doesn’t “see anything positive” from it.

Despite Garner and Affleck’s best efforts to preserve their children’s privacy, the family has had to weather several public ups and downs over the years. In January 2022, Affleck told the Los Angeles Times that he worried about how his kids would handle his public perception, explaining that he paid little mind to the media attention surrounding him until his children began to see it.

Violet Anne Affleck, 18

Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck welcomed their first child, Violet, on December 1, 2005. Garner praised Affleck’s parenting skills in a 2007 interview, describing him as a loving father who made her happy with his natural ability to bond with Violet. Despite their efforts to shield their children from the paparazzi, Violet faced intense media scrutiny from a young age, which caused significant anxiety for the family. Garner was so affected by the situation that she helped pass legislation to protect children from unwanted paparazzi attention.

As Violet grew older, Garner and Affleck navigated parenting challenges while striving to provide a normal upbringing amidst their high-profile lives. Garner expressed concerns about social media and attempted to keep Violet away from it until she was older. Violet has made rare public appearances, including at a State dinner and a high-profile party. Recently, Violet, now a teenager, advocated for COVID-19 measures before the L.A. County Board of Supervisors and will attend Yale University in the fall of 2024.

Seraphina Rose Elizabeth Affleck, 15

Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck welcomed their second child, Seraphina Rose Elizabeth Affleck, on January 6, 2009. Friends like Bradley Cooper praised the couple’s parenting skills, with Cooper expressing confidence in their ability to manage a growing family. Garner admired Affleck’s effortless involvement in their children’s activities, noting his skill in engaging with them during tea parties. Affleck, reflecting on his changed priorities, emphasized the importance of family time, especially after their divorce in June 2015.

Post-divorce, Garner and Affleck focused on co-parenting their children, with Affleck acknowledging Garner’s exceptional role as a mother. Despite their separation, they remained committed to providing a stable environment for their kids. Seraphina, now 15, has adapted well to the blended family dynamic, spending time with her stepsiblings from Lopez and participating in family events, such as the 2022 wedding of her parents.

Samuel Affleck, 12

Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck’s third child, Samuel Garner Affleck, was born on February 27, 2012. Garner, sharing the news on Facebook, described Samuel as “really sweet” and joked about the adjustment of having a boy after two daughters. She found the experience of mothering three children both exciting and challenging.

As Samuel grew, he developed a passion for baseball, which Affleck embraced fully by coaching his Little League team and making special efforts to attend games. Despite Samuel’s initial lack of interest in Boston sports, Affleck tried to instill local pride through themed decorations in Samuel’s room. Samuel has since been seen at various events with Affleck, including Celtics games and the NBA All-Star Weekend, showing a growing interest in sports.