Why 13 Going on 30 Led to “Tortured Years” for Jennifer Garner’s Kids

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Jennifer Garner’s kids didn’t want to see Jenna Rink be 30, flirty and thriving.

Jennifer Garner recently shared that her popular 2004 movie caused some awkwardness for her kids – Violet, 20, Seraphina, 17, and Samuel, 13 – as they entered their teenage years. It seems watching the film became a bit of a challenge as they grew up, especially considering her ex-husband is Ben Affleck.

Jennifer shared on Kylie Kelce’s podcast, Not Gonna Lie, that there were difficult years when her children were turning thirteen. She explained that the movie 13 Going on 30 became a popular theme for their birthday parties and sleepovers, with parents thinking it would be a fun idea.

Despite meaning well, Jennifer’s kids really disliked the movie she picked, and they even tried to find ways to avoid the sleepovers.

My children were completely embarrassed, to start with,” the 53-year-old actress explained. “They were also really upset to see me sad or falling in love… and honestly, the whole thing was just awkward for them.”

My kids called me from sleepovers complaining of headaches,” she said. “I couldn’t help but think, ‘A headache? Really? You’ve never mentioned headaches before, and now you need me to come get you?’ It seemed a little suspicious to me.

Jennifer says she’s accepting the challenges of parenting teenagers, even though her and Ben’s children are growing up and might not be as interested in her movies anymore.

Jennifer Garner, who was married to Ben Affleck from 2005 to 2018, recently shared on a podcast how much she appreciates teenagers. She described them as funny, interesting, and surprisingly thoughtful, noting that they often have unexpected passions and perspectives.

Having raised her own children for twenty years, Jennifer shared some useful parenting tips with Kylie, 33, who has four children of her own.

Everyone goes through challenging times as a parent. Jennifer Garner told Kylie, who has four daughters – Wyatt, 6, Elliotte, 4, Bennett, 3, and Finnley, 11 months – with her husband Jason Kelce, that parenting is a gradual process. You don’t suddenly become a parent to a teenager; you experience every stage of childhood along the way.

Jennifer explained that you won’t really know what to expect, but you’ll have plenty of practice. She described motherhood as a daily chance to learn from mistakes and start fresh, seeing each day as a new opportunity.

She continued, saying that if you’re kind to yourself throughout the process, you’ll eventually reach a point where you actually start to enjoy it.

Jennifer has often shared her experiences with the joys and challenges of being a parent. Here are some additional thoughts from the actress on raising children.

Jennifer Garner is committed to having a friendly relationship with her ex-husband, Ben Affleck, so they can successfully co-parent their three children – Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel.

Jennifer Garner explained in a 2016 interview with Vanity Fair that it wasn’t Ben Affleck’s responsibility to make her happy. She emphasized that their children were their priority, and they both agreed on what they wanted for them.

She admitted she’d always pictured dancing with her husband at her daughter’s wedding, but that didn’t happen. However, she said the joy on her daughter and new son-in-law’s faces when he arrives is all that matters. Seeing her children love someone so completely, she explained, makes you want to be friends with that person too.

Even though both Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck are accomplished actors, she wants to raise their children with a normal life, away from the typical Hollywood environment.

She explained to Southern Living that she wants her children to understand life isn’t like what they experience in Los Angeles, and that it doesn’t represent the world as a whole. She hopes they’ll embrace the same Southern traditions she grew up with—like making eye contact and appreciating the simple things in life.

And that’s why her parenting style is very hands-on.

Teaching children, especially about values, isn’t a one-time lesson, it’s a continuous process. You can’t simply tell kids what values to have; you need to demonstrate them through your own actions,” she explained to TopMob News.

The actress, known for her role in Alias, said that setting a positive example is the most crucial thing parents can do. She and her ex-husband, Ben Affleck, who she divorced in 2015 after a decade of marriage, want their children to recognize and value the effort they both put in.

Of course, there is no one standard way of parenting.

Even if you believe you’re simply following someone’s instructions, Garner pointed out on Late Night With Seth Meyers in 2016, you ultimately don’t have control over the situation.

Jennifer Garner, known for her role in 13 Going on 30, encourages parents not to dwell on their anxieties, reminding them that everyone faces challenges and difficult times. She says it’s okay to struggle, because life isn’t always easy for anyone.

Garner believes the most important thing for keeping her children on track is establishing clear boundaries and rules.

She told Us Weekly that the key is simply taking action, even if it’s not always graceful. While she admits she doesn’t always handle things perfectly, she focuses on being consistent so people know what to expect from her.

When faced with challenges in parenting, Jennifer Garner feels like each day offers a clean slate and a new opportunity.

She told People magazine that it’s okay to experiment and not be afraid of failure. You can always start a new task by saying, ‘Let’s try this today!’ And if it doesn’t work out, just say, ‘Okay, that didn’t work – let’s try something else!’

The actress added, “That’s part of what I like about being a mom in general.”

Garner’s motherhood joy extends into the cinematic universe as well.

She told Today that she’s happy to be playing mothers in her work, because the time women spend with their babies is incredibly precious.

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2026-02-26 22:17