Ben Affleck Jokes Ex Jennifer Garner Makes Him Feel Inadequate as a Dad

Ben Affleck recently shared some lighthearted comments about his ex-wife Jennifer Garner, joking that her exceptional parenting skills occasionally make him feel inadequate as a father. The actor discussed his family dynamics during a preview for an upcoming interview with Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist, set to air in October.

While discussing their shared children in the interview preview, Affleck praised Garner's abilities as a mother. He told host Willie Geist that their children's mother is spectacular and always leaves him feeling like he is coming up a little short in comparison.

Affleck shared how he humorously frames his parenting performance to his kids, telling them he feels he is doing about 75 percent as good as their mother. According to the actor, his children quickly check his expectations by replying that his performance is closer to 40 percent.

Affleck and Garner split in 2015 after a decade of marriage and finalized their divorce in 2018. They share three children together: Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel. Despite the end of their marriage, Affleck emphasized his deep respect and gratitude for the 13 Going on 30 actress, noting that maintaining mutual respect and getting along is the most important element of their dynamic.

The former couple regularly comes together for holidays and special occasions involving their children. Garner previously shared her appreciation for her ex on social media, writing in a Father's Day post that she is happy to see the way their kids dote on their dad and calling the love of a great dad a gift.

Earlier in the week, Affleck detailed the family's shared custody arrangement during an interview with Variety. He explained that his daily routine involves working hard, going home, picking up the kids from school, and attempting to have dinner with them if they agree to hang out with him. He noted that the children rotate living arrangements, spending a week with him and a week with their mother.

Affleck described his personal life as really wonderful, telling Variety that he has nothing salacious or all that interesting happening. Following his divorce from Garner, Affleck married pop star Jennifer Lopez, though that marriage ultimately ended with a finalized divorce by the start of 2025.

The documented comments highlight the ongoing cooperative relationship between the former spouses as they continue to navigate co-parenting their three children together. Affleck also maintains a friendly dynamic with Lopez, previously expressing an enormous amount of respect and admiration for her talents as an actress.