Fame
Ben Affleck shared insight into co-parenting with ex Jennifer Garner—with whom he shares Violet, 20, Seraphina, 17, and Samuel, 14—poking fun at how he can’t compare to Garner as a dad.
Ben Affleck is aware his parenting skills may not be on the same level as Jennifer Garner.
And he seems completely fine with it.
Indeed, while shedding light on his co-parenting relationship with his ex-wife—with whom he shares kids Violet, 20, Seraphina, 17, and Samuel, 14—the Gone Girl star joked that Garner sets the bar so high as a mom that it makes him look bad.
“Their mom is spectacular,” Affleck shared in a preview of the Oct. 11 episode of Sunday Today with Willie Geist, “and it always makes me feel like I’m coming up a little short.”
The Oscar winner joked that he tells their kids he’s “doing about 75 percent as good as your mom.”
“And they’re like, ‘Maybe 40 percent,’” he added with a laugh. “I’m maxing out. Woo, B+!”
But in all seriousness, Affleck—who split from Garner in 2015 after nearly 10 years of marriage—expressed that he couldn’t be more “grateful” to have a co-parent like the 13 Going on 30 actress.
“I respect her,” the 54-year-old emphasized, “I think the most important thing is having that mutual respect—being able to get along with that person.”
In fact, this isn’t the first time Affleck has made a point to praise Garner and their strong co-parenting relationship during his press tour for his latest film Animals.
“I work hard, and then I go home and pick up the kids from school,” he told Variety in an interview published Oct. 7. “We have dinner if they agree to hang out with me. They’re with me for a week, then with their mom for a week.”
“They have a great thing with their mom,” he continued, “for whom I’m also really, really grateful.”
Ultimately, the Good Will Hunting star has only positive words to say about the current state of his career and his life at home.
“I know things will come up that are hard, and I don’t want to jinx that,” Affleck admitted, “but this time in my life as a human being is really wonderful.”
And while Affleck and Garner excel as co-parents years after their divorce, keep reading to take a look back at where it all began…
Handsome Devil & Electric Elektra
Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck put their heads together at a 2003 Planet Hollywood screening of their movie Daredevil—the movie that started it all.
Pretty in Pink
The duo pair up at their Daredevil premiere in L.A.
Newlywed Life
The couple, who married in June 2005, look like blissful newlyweds while shopping in Brentwood.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Ben and Jen enjoy America’s favorite pastime at Fenway Park in 2006 in Ben’s hometown of Boston.
So in Love
The lovers can’t keep their hands off each other during the 2011 Critics’ Choice Movie Awards.
Baby Bliss
Jen steps out after giving birth to their third child, son Samuel.
Supportive Wife
Jen supports Ben at his Hollywood Argo premiere in October 2012.
PDA Alert
The adorable couple steal a kiss in 2012.
Big Winner
Ben and Jen walk the carpet at the 2013 Oscars, where Affleck won big for Argo.
Family Fun Day
Ben and Jen take Samuel, Seraphina and Violet to the farmers market in 2013.
Dressed to the Nines
The duo make one dapper couple at the 2014 SAG Awards.
Date night
The duo leave the kids at home for a dinner date in L.A.
Stunning Stars
The gourgeous stars turn heads at the 2014 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
Holiday Cheer
Ben and Jen were all smiles in December 2014.
For a Good Cause
The couple did the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge together in 2014.
Rocky Romance
The duo grab juice while battling secret problems within their marriage.
Living Apart.
Despite their public PDA, Ben and Jen lived apart during a trial separation for 10 months before they announced their split.
Divorce
The lovebirds put on a united front despite breakup rumors. They later announced in June 2015 they are divorcing after 10 years of marriage.