Ben Affleck Jokes His Kids Rank His Parenting Lower Than Jennifer Garner's

October 13, 2026 - 08:16

Ben Affleck recently opened up about how his children view his parenting skills compared to those of his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner. During a candid conversation, the actor admitted that he had hoped his kids would rate him fairly high. He estimated that he was about 75 percent as good a parent as Garner. However, his three children had a different opinion and gave him a score of just 40 percent.

The lighthearted moment highlights a common reality in co-parenting. Children often see each parent through a distinct lens, shaped by daily routines, emotional availability, and the specific role each adult plays in their lives. A parent may feel they are doing a solid job, yet kids may compare them to the other parent in ways that feel blunt or even funny.

Affleck and Garner share three children and have worked to maintain a stable co-parenting relationship since their divorce. His joke about the ratings reflects both humility and the understanding that parenting is not a competition. What matters most is that children feel supported, loved, and secure. The anecdote also reminds parents that kids notice effort, consistency, and presence far more than any score.