Jennifer Lopez Says She Had “Very Little Help” Raising Her Twins

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Jennifer Lopez ain’t your mama, but she is to kids Emme and Max.

Jennifer Lopez, a singer known for her hit “On the Floor,” recently shared her thoughts on being a mom as her 18-year-old twins—whom she shares with ex-husband Marc Anthony—graduated high school. She expressed amazement at how she managed to balance raising her children with her successful career.

J.Lo recently told the SmartLess podcast that she’s feeling incredibly grateful for her life and proud of everything she’s built. She shared that both of her children were accepted into all the colleges they applied to, and even received scholarships – meaning they’re able to pursue their dream schools.

I said, ‘You did all of that on your own?’ It was amazing – I meant, ‘You didn’t have much help,’ you know?’

Oh my gosh, JLo and Marc Anthony! I was devastated when they split up. They were married for seven years, you know, all the way up until 2011 when things started to fall apart. It took a while, but they officially divorced in 2014. And even though it was over, they both agreed to share custody of their adorable twins – they really put the kids first, which I always admired!

Anthony was already a father to four children – Arianna (31), Chase (35), Cristian (25), and Ryan (22) – when he married Jennifer Lopez in 2004, and he’s since added to his family.

He and his wife, Nadia Ferreira, had a son named Marco in 2023. They recently announced they are expecting another child, which will be Anthony’s eighth.

The Grammy-winning artist told TopMob News in February that they were having a wonderful time and felt very lucky.

Jennifer Lopez was married to Ben Affleck for two years. During that time, she became a stepmother to his three children – Violet (20), Seraphina (17), and Samuel (14) – from his previous marriage to Jennifer Garner.

It’s been a very emotional experience,” the former star of Wedding Planner shared with Today in 2023, a year before she and Affleck split up. “But it’s also felt like everything I ever wanted was happening.”

Even though Jennifer Lopez has moved on from Anthony, she still cares for him deeply. She explained on The View in 2017, “We remain good friends, and we’re committed to co-parenting.”

For more celebrities speaking out about parenting with their exes, read on.

Despite ending their romantic relationship in 2023, the Grammy-winning artist and their Swedish-Syrian partner still work together to raise their children, Lucia and Renn.

Jwan described their relationship with their ex as “wonderful” in an interview with Attitude magazine in September 2025. They’ve established a peaceful and stable co-parenting arrangement, living just ten minutes apart and staying in touch every other day, prioritizing the love they both have for their children.

He described it as more than just an experience, calling it a truly wonderful way of life.

Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green, parents to Noah, Bodhi, and Journey, prioritize their children’s well-being as they navigate co-parenting. Brian Austin Green emphasized in April 2024 that everything should revolve around the kids’ experience, acknowledging that a breakup will inevitably impact them, but the way it affects them is within their control. He believes it’s crucial to choose your battles, recognizing that disagreements existed during the relationship and won’t magically disappear post-separation. Co-parenting, he explained, is a different dynamic than being a couple.

Megan Fox agrees, stating on The Drew Barrymore Show in 2023 that it’s vital to never speak negatively about the other parent, even subtly. She focuses on maintaining a positive energy around her children, understanding that accepting and loving their father is essential because he is a fundamental part of who they are. His influence is ingrained in their very being, as they exist because of him.

Josh Duhamel and Fergie are proving that co-parenting can be truly successful. Duhamel recently shared how supportive Fergie has been, especially after he married Audra Mari. He appeared on The Jess Cagle Show in 2023 and praised Fergie as an “amazing woman” who warmly welcomed Audra into the family.

Duhamel explained that Fergie was genuinely happy for him and Audra when they announced they were expecting their son, Shepherd, who was born in January 2024. Shepherd joined big brother Axl, who Duhamel shares with Fergie.

Duhamel emphasized Fergie’s kindness, saying she’s incredibly supportive and excited for their growing family. He and Fergie finalized their divorce in 2019, two years after separating, but have maintained a respectful and amicable relationship. He’s thankful their situation is so positive, as he’s seen how difficult co-parenting can be.

Irina Shayk, who has a daughter named Lea with Bradley Cooper, doesn’t like the label ‘co-parenting.’ In a 2021 interview with ELLE, she explained that when she’s with Lea, she’s fully a mother, and when Lea is with her dad, he’s fully her dad. She believes parenting is simply parenting, regardless of relationship status.

Irina and Bradley ended their four-year relationship in 2019, but they’ve remained friendly. Despite their busy lives, they continue to take family vacations, spend time together in New York, and support each other.

In 2023, Irina told the magazine, ‘He’s the best father Lea and I could dream of. It always works, but it always works because we make it work.’

Finding a co-parenting groove takes time, as Mariah Carey knows well. Fortunately, she and Nick Cannon, parents to twins Moroccan and Monroe, have established a positive routine.

Nick described their relationship as a strong friendship, praising Mariah for the lessons she’s taught him and emphasizing their bond as family. He shared this on Dr. Laura Berman’s podcast in 2022.

Mariah also seems pleased with how they’ve navigated co-parenting since their divorce in 2014. In a 2025 interview with Harper’s Bazaar, she explained that she prioritizes fairness, understanding the challenges children face with divorced parents, and ensures her children enjoy time with both of them.

Nick is also a father to several other children: Zion and Mixolydian, Zillion Heir and Beautiful Zeppelin with Abby De La Rosa; Golden “Sagon,” Powerful Queen and Rise Messiah with Brittany Bell; Legendary Love with Bre Tiesi; Onyx Ice with LaNisha Cole; and Halo Marie and the late Zen with Alyssa Scott.

It’s impossible to talk about amicable splits without mentioning Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin. The Oscar-winning actress and the Coldplay singer famously announced their separation in 2014, coining the term “consciously uncoupling.”

On The Drew Barrymore Show in 2020, Paltrow explained that prioritizing their children, Apple and Moses, was challenging. She said there were times she didn’t want to be around Martin, but they committed to things like family dinners anyway. It meant taking a deep breath, making eye contact, remembering their commitment to co-parenting, and even sharing a joke.

Paltrow emphasized that she and Martin will always remain a family, acknowledging that while it isn’t always easy, they both strive for unity and love – what’s best for their kids. She believes breaking up doesn’t mean you have to stop loving the qualities you once admired in someone.

Following their divorce in 2022, Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady have been navigating co-parenting their children, Benjamin and Vivian. In a 2024 interview with Robin Roberts, Gisele acknowledged that some days are more difficult than others, but emphasized her kids’ intelligence and adaptability. She explained that children naturally test boundaries and she focuses on controlling her own reactions.

Gisele highlighted the importance of balance, noting that both she and Tom spend quality time with their children, allowing them to benefit from experiencing two different perspectives and worlds.

Tom echoed this sentiment, explaining that he and Gisele are working together to raise all their children – including Jack, his son with Bridget Moynahan – with kindness, empathy, and strong values. He recognizes the current generation is growing up differently but wants them to have a solid foundation.

Ben Affleck, having played a superhero himself, recognizes one in real life – and that includes his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner. They share three children – Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel – and he considers her a remarkable mother.

Affleck told TopMob News in 2016, “Jen is a superhero mom. She’s an amazing mother, and I’m really lucky to have her as a partner in co-parenting our kids. We both try our best to put the children first.”

Jennifer Lopez, who married Ben in 2022 before filing for divorce in 2024, also acknowledged Garner’s parenting skills, previously telling Vogue that Jennifer is “an amazing co-parent” and that she and Ben “work really well together.”

As someone who follows family dynamics closely, I’ve been impressed by how Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik have navigated things since their split. They really prioritize what’s best for their daughter, Khai, and that shines through. Zayn shared on the Call Her Daddy podcast that they have a genuinely good co-parenting relationship – Khai is truly their focus, which is wonderful to see. Gigi echoed this in The Sunday Times, emphasizing that keeping your child’s happiness central is key, because you’ll be connected to your co-parent for a long time. She also expressed how happy she is that Khai gets to have both parents actively involved in her life, and honestly, that’s the most important thing.

Khloe Kardashian is committed to co-parenting with her ex, Tristan Thompson, despite past difficulties. While it hasn’t been easy – especially considering Tristan’s infidelity during their relationship – Khloe prioritizes maintaining a positive connection for the sake of their children, True and Tatum. She explained that it’s challenging to be friendly towards someone you’re angry with, particularly in front of your kids, and she had to learn to manage her emotions to avoid impulsive reactions she might regret. Ultimately, Khloe wants her children to have a strong relationship with Tristan, who also has children Prince (with Jordan Craig) and Theo (with Maralee Nichols). She believes that if a father is willing to be involved, it’s important not to stand in the way.

Even though Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr separated in 2013, they continue to successfully co-parent their son, Flynn. This includes a positive relationship with both Katy Perry, Orlando’s current partner, and Evan Spiegel, Miranda’s husband.

Miranda has spoken warmly about Katy, expressing her happiness that Orlando found love again. She emphasized that the most important thing is for Flynn to have happy parents, and she’s thankful everyone respects each other.

Despite busy schedules and growing families – Orlando and Katy now have a daughter named Daisy Dove, while Miranda and Evan have three sons, Hart, Myles, and Pierre – they all make an effort to come together.

Miranda explained that they prioritize Flynn’s well-being and are always willing to compromise to ensure the best possible family dynamic for everyone involved.

Kate Hudson believes it’s important to maintain friendly relationships with her ex-husbands, Chris Robinson and Matt Bellamy, even after their romantic relationships have ended. She explained in a 2022 interview with The Sunday Times that she and Chris simply check in with each other periodically, especially as they co-parent their son, Ryder. She also praised Matt, father to her son Bingham, as a “wonderful” co-parent. Kate feels that love doesn’t disappear just because a romantic relationship ends, and that it’s possible to build a different kind of loving connection focused on their child. Kate also shares daughter Rani with fiancé Danny Fujikawa. While her family structure might not be conventional, she feels incredibly strong and successful, creating a close-knit family unit with her three children and their fathers.

Co-parenting can be challenging, but Anna Faris says her relationship with her ex-husband Chris Pratt, his wife Katherine Schwarzenegger, and their children is improving. Faris, who shares son Jack with Pratt, told People magazine in 2022 that everyone is getting closer and she really appreciates the support they all show each other.

She described Katherine as “awesome” and praised how well she interacts with Jack. Faris also mentioned that both families are protective of one another, which feels good.

Faris—who finalized her divorce from Pratt in 2018 and is now married to Michael Barrett—shared that things feel much easier now that time has passed, and the blended family dynamic is positive. She’s relieved to have moved past any lingering negativity.

Successful co-parenting requires agreement, and Mel B says it wasn’t easy for her and Eddie Murphy to build that kind of connection.

Mel B, of the Spice Girls, explained to Us Weekly in May 2025 that it was difficult to build a strong relationship with Eddie while dealing with past trauma and controlling behavior. She said she gradually managed to improve things. However, she also noted that their friendship has actually grown stronger in recent years, especially now that their teenage daughter, Angel, spends time with Eddie and his family. Mel B praised Eddie as a dedicated father to his ten children, mentioning they often spend time together and even go on vacation together.

Okay, seriously, just because The O.C. was ALL about the drama doesn’t mean Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen have to be! I was SO relieved to read in People magazine that things are genuinely good between them for their sweet Briar Rose. Rachel said everything is amazing – like, a ‘really good place’ – and Briar is just thriving with tons of support from everyone. It makes me so happy to hear they’re prioritizing their daughter even after splitting up! I just adore them both.

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2026-06-17 03:50