Jennifer Garner is one of Hollywood's most relatable moms. She has three children at home — daughters Violet and Seraphina and son Samuel — and a very busy career. Recently, she's been promoting the movie Yes Day, which is focused on a real tradition that Jennifer reportedly does every year. That tradition is saying yes to whatever comes your way.
But just because Jennifer has a picture-perfect life on Instagram doesn't mean that it's always easy. The actress has been the focus of a lot of media attention in the past few years due to her public split from ex-husband Ben Affleck. It's unclear as to what their custody agreement looks like, but it seems as if Jennifer often has her hands full.
She's chosen to open up about it to People magazine, giving a clearer picture of how she's handling the pressure.
She admits that even though she always seems so positive, that's not the way it always is at home. "I don't know that I've stayed positive the whole time," she admits. "I think I've had a couple of temper tantrums. And I hope [my kids] have too. I think you have to. It's like, have your feelings. But there's so much to be grateful for."
Some of the positive things that Jennifer has focused on include giving back. Jennifer and her family know they are privileged in certain ways — and know that many others have suffered from hardships this year that will be hard to come back from. So she's taken some time figuring out how to help.
"You take a deep breath and start brainstorming about what can we do to help," she said. "Like my daughter, she likes helping people on GoFundMe, so for Christmas, she asked for a little GoFundMe money. She said it just gives her a lift."
But it's not always easy. Even with positive distractions, three kids — one being a teenager and one on the verge — isn't easy. There are plenty of aggravations that she wasn't afraid to talk about. "Kids who ignore you when you talk to them five times in a row. When they're mean to each other. Or when they won't try and they just like, lay on the floor," she said.
"Then I realize I basically do the same thing," she added. "I mean, sometimes you just have to walk away from your kids. You don't even have to announce it. Or you just say, 'Oops. Hold on. I think somebody's calling me in the other room.' You just have to get away."
It's a mental image that's easy for most moms to picture. Something out of control is happening, and it's too tiresome to interfere. Moms rarely get a chance to recharge their batteries. Knowing Jennifer has the same difficulties is a reminder that she's a mom before she's a Hollywood actress.
So, how does Jennifer get some time for herself? She depends on her friends to lift her spirits. "And laughing. And a good workout," she added. "I've done The Limit with Beth Nicely almost every day and I always feel better. I had a trainer for 20 years, Valerie Waters, who I love so much. Her saying was, 'You're always one workout away from a good mood.'"
Her advice is quite good, especially with the warmer weather ahead. Sometimes just talking a walk around the block will help you refresh your day and get over issues quicker. While ex Ben Affleck does see the kids, it seems like this past year made things especially difficult.
He also made sure to stay away for the safety of his children after he went on vacations with his then-girlfriend Ana de Armas. "He didn’t see the kids for a few days," a source told People after a trip he took in April of last year. "[He] spent time with the kids over the weekend." Luckily, Jennifer has plenty of experience watching all three.
She even opened up about a mom's body image recently. Despite looking fantastic, Jennifer has the same views that many moms have. And it's a refreshingly real take. "I can work really hard and I can be really fit and I will still look like a woman who's had three babies and I always will," she said on the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast.
She even mentioned how people were speculating a baby bump at some point, but it was just her body. Even though she didn't have to, Jennifer made a point to set the record straight herself. "I just thought I might as well address it and Ellen was so sweet to let me," she said. "But I just felt like we might as well? I mean every week, is she? Is she pregnant? Is she? It's still happening, I'm 48 and I'm single."
It's yet another struggle that she, and many women in Hollywood, have had to handle after becoming mothers. Luckily, Jennifer seems to love the body she's in. "I remember someone visiting me the day I'd had my first, and he didn't know and he's a dear friend, but he looked at me and said, is there another one in there?" she joked.
When it comes to celebrity role models, Jennifer is a great one. She's a reminder that not every mom has it together. But she provides a loving household for her kids. While everyone is fully aware of her three children, they've still maintained a mostly private life outside of the spotlight.
Even though she openly admits that she needs some "mom moments" to walk away, it seems like all of her coping mechanisms are very healthy. Next time things seem tough, perhaps it's time to reach out to a friend, or plan a safe and socially distant dinner date. Or just do some jumping jacks and get your body moving. Soon, the frustration will pass.
