Jennifer Garner opens up about the ‘painful’ reality of co-parenting

"It’s hard to imagine the heartbreak of having days away from your children if you haven’t experienced it"

Co-parenting is becoming increasingly common across the globe, and many parents can relate to Garner struggling with some of the more difficult aspects - like the days you're separated from your little ones.

Speaking to Bustle, Garner spoke about what it’s like for the primary parent, which is an experience that is often overlooked.

She shared: “I become mom and dad; he becomes dad and mom. 

“You kind of can’t help it, right? Because you don’t have the benefit of both sides of the yin and yang being in the same house. 

“And so you have to have a bit of both in the way that you parent.”

Garner shares Violet, 20, Seraphina, 17, and Samuel, 13, with Affleck, and she explained that co-parenting across two households has its pros and cons.

“There’s a little bit of loss in that,” she admitted, “but there’s also something gained in that.” 

Naturally, as parents we assume we will be present for every bedtime story, every school pickup and every dinner time, so when things don’t end up that way it can feel be hard to come to terms with.

The 13 Going on 30 star said: “It’s hard to imagine the heartbreak of having days away from your children if you haven’t experienced it.

“Because caring for and protecting children is woven into our DNA, being separated from them can feel deeply frightening and painful.”