Jennifer Garner, Josh Duhamel & More Stars Reveal Co-Parenting Secrets

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Though Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen are no longer a couple, they continue to co-parent their 11-year-old daughter, Briar Rose, and prioritize her well-being.

We have a really good relationship – it’s pretty special,” explained the former O.C. star while talking about co-parenting on Kristin Cavallari’s Let’s Be Honest podcast in January. “We spend a lot of time together, actually – a lot!”

Almost nine years after ending their ten-year relationship, they’ve maintained a friendly and pleasant connection.

Similarly, Fergie has never given former husband Josh Duhamel a reason to ask, where is the love? 

The musician praised his ex-partner, saying she’s a wonderful mother. He shared on the March 2nd episode of the Skinny Confidential podcast that she’s also “very glamorous and very kind,” and thankfully, “non-confrontational,” which helps them maintain a good relationship.

He pointed out that Fergie consistently works with him regarding their 12-year-old son, Axl, and has even included his wife, Audra Mari, in their co-parenting dynamic – Audra recently announced she’s pregnant with their second child.

As Duhamel pointed out, Fergie and her husband, also parents to their 2-year-old son Shepherd, “have a great relationship.”

As Jennifer Garner has explained, successfully co-parenting requires more than simply having a friendly relationship.

She recently told Bustle that her approach to parenting is a mix of different styles, and her ex-husband, Ben Affleck, shares this approach, particularly because their children are raised between two homes.

When either of us is alone with our kids – Violet, 20, Seraphina, 17, and Samuel, 14 – we naturally fall into both parental roles. It’s hard to avoid, because we don’t have both parents present at the same time to share those roles.

The actress from The Last Thing He Told Me admitted it was a little sad, but also a positive experience. She explained that she’s learned from it and it’s helped her to stop worrying so much about how things are perceived.

She and the Daredevil actor aren’t the only celebrities navigating co-parenting. Here’s a look at what other stars have said about raising kids with their exes.

Despite ending their romantic relationship in 2023, the Grammy-winning musician and Swedish-Syrian artist continue to co-parent their children, Lucia and Renn.

Jwan described their relationship with their ex-partner as truly wonderful in a September 2025 interview with Attitude. They’ve established a peaceful and stable co-parenting arrangement, living just ten minutes apart and staying in touch every other day, with a shared focus on their children’s well-being.

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

I’ve been following Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green’s journey as parents for a while now, and I really admire how they prioritize their kids. They’ve clearly learned a lot about co-parenting over the years. Brian has talked a lot about their main rule: always put the kids’ experience first. He believes, and it makes so much sense, that a breakup will affect them, but you can control how it affects them. He emphasizes picking your battles – they separated for a reason, and expecting to suddenly get along just to raise the kids isn’t realistic. It’s about co-parenting, which is a completely different thing. Megan totally agrees! She’s said it’s crucial to never speak badly about the other parent, even subtly. She makes a point of shielding the kids from any negativity because, as she puts it, if she doesn’t accept and love their father, she’s rejecting a part of them. He’s literally a part of who they are, in their blood and their minds, and they exist because of him. It’s a really mature and loving approach, and I think their kids are lucky to have parents who understand that.

Josh Duhamel and Fergie continue to demonstrate a positive co-parenting relationship. Duhamel recently shared on The Jess Cagle Show how supportive Fergie has been, even welcoming his wife, Audra Mari, into the family. He emphasized that things could have been much more difficult, but Fergie has been incredibly kind and welcoming.

Duhamel also revealed that Fergie was genuinely thrilled when he and Audra announced they were expecting their son, Shepherd, who was born in January 2024. Shepherd joins big brother Axl, who Duhamel shares with Fergie.

Duhamel, who finalized his divorce from Fergie in 2019 after a two-year separation, expressed gratitude for their civil relationship, noting Fergie’s excitement and kindness towards Audra. He feels fortunate that their co-parenting situation is going so well.

Irina Shayk, who has a daughter named Lea with her ex-partner 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 that Bradley is “the best father Lea and I could dream of,” adding that their successful co-parenting relationship works because they actively make it work.

Finding a co-parenting rhythm takes time, as Mariah Carey knows well. Fortunately, she and Nick Cannon, parents to twins Moroccan and Monroe, have established a good routine. Cannon described their relationship as a strong friendship, praising Carey for the lessons she’s taught him and calling her ‘family.’ Carey also expressed pride in how they’ve navigated co-parenting since their divorce in 2014, ensuring both she and Nick get quality time with their children and that the situation feels fair for them. Beyond Moroccan and Monroe, Nick Cannon is also father to Zion Mixolydian, Zillion Heir, 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, as well as the late Zen (with Alyssa Scott).

We can’t talk about amicable breakups without mentioning Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin. The Oscar-winning actress and the Coldplay singer famously coined the term “consciously uncoupling” when they announced their separation in 2014.

On The Drew Barrymore Show in 2020, Gwyneth explained that prioritizing their children, Apple and Moses, was the key. “It’s harder than it looks,” she said. “There are days you really don’t want to be with the person you’re divorcing. But if you’re committed to family dinner, you do it. You take a deep breath, make eye contact, remember your agreement, smile, hug, and even make a joke. You recommit to building a new relationship.”

She also emphasized that she and Chris will always remain a family.

“That will always be the case,” she continued. “It’s not always perfect, we have good days and bad days. But we’re working towards the same goal – unity, love, and what’s best for the kids. Just because a relationship ends doesn’t mean you stop loving the qualities you once cherished in that person.”

Following their divorce in 2022, Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady have been navigating the challenges of co-parenting. Gisele admitted in a 2024 interview with Robin Roberts that some days are harder than others, but her and Tom’s children, Benjamin and Vivian, are smart and adaptable. She focuses on controlling her own reactions and letting them learn through experience.

According to Gisele, it’s all about finding balance, with both parents spending time with the kids. She believes this allows them to benefit from experiencing two different perspectives and worlds, which is enriching for their lives.

Tom also emphasized their commitment to co-parenting positively. In a 2023 interview, he explained that they are both focused on raising their children—including Jack, his son with Bridget Moynahan—with kindness, empathy, and strong values, recognizing that today’s children are growing up in a different world.

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 Jennifer a “superhero mom.” He told TopMob News in 2016 that she’s an amazing mother and he feels lucky to co-parent with her, always prioritizing their children. Jennifer Lopez, who married Ben in 2022 before filing for divorce in 2024, also praised Jennifer Garner, previously telling Vogue that she’s a fantastic co-parent and that she and Ben work well together.

Okay, so, even though Gigi and Zayn broke up back in 2021, it’s honestly so good to see they’re making it work for their little girl, Khai. I was SO worried, but they’re really prioritizing her, and it’s amazing. Zayn actually said on the Call Her Daddy podcast that they have a genuinely good relationship now, just for Khai’s sake, and she really is what matters most. It’s such a relief! Gigi told The Sunday Times that the key is always putting Khai’s happiness first – they’re going to be in each other’s lives for a long time, after all. Honestly, just knowing Khai gets to have both her parents involved makes me so happy for her. They’re seriously nailing this co-parenting thing!

Khloe Kardashian is continuing to co-parent with her ex, Tristan Thompson, despite past difficulties. While it hasn’t been easy – especially considering Thompson’s history of infidelity – Khloe prioritizes their children, True and Tatum, and maintaining a respectful relationship for their sake. She explained in an interview with tmrw that it’s challenging to be cordial with someone you’re angry at, especially in front of your kids, and that she’s had to learn to manage her emotions to avoid impulsive reactions she might regret. Ultimately, Khloe wants her children to have a strong bond with their father. She believes that if Thompson wants to be an involved and hands-on parent – as he also is to his other children, Prince (with Jordan Craig) and Theo (with Maralee Nichols) – she wouldn’t want to interfere with that.

Although Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr separated in 2013, they maintain a close co-parenting relationship for their son, Flynn. This extends to include Orlando’s current partner, Katy Perry, and Miranda’s husband, Evan Spiegel, CEO of Snapchat. Miranda has spoken fondly of Katy, expressing her happiness that Orlando has found love and emphasizing the importance of both parents being happy for Flynn’s sake. Despite busy schedules and growing families – Orlando and Katy now have a daughter, Daisy Dove, and Miranda and Evan share sons Hart, Myles, and Pierre – they all make an effort to come together for important occasions. Miranda explained that they prioritize Flynn’s well-being and work out compromises to ensure the best possible family dynamic, always focusing on what’s best for him.

Kate Hudson believes it’s important to maintain friendly relationships with her ex-husbands, Chris Robinson and Matt Bellamy, even after the romantic connection has ended. She explained in a 2022 interview with The Sunday Times that she and Chris simply check in with each other periodically, as he is the father of her son Ryder.

She also praised Matt Bellamy, father of her son Bingham, calling him a “wonderful” co-parent. Kate feels that love doesn’t simply disappear after a breakup, but can evolve into a different kind of connection. She enjoys being able to focus on their shared love for their child when they spend time together.

Kate is also a mother to daughter Rani, with her fiancé Danny Fujikawa. She feels her family setup, though unconventional, is incredibly strong. “It might not look traditional from the outside, but on the inside I feel like we’re killing it,” she said. “The unit that I’ve created with three children with three different fathers is a seriously strong unit, and it’s ours.”

It can be challenging for divorced parents to get along, 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 that. She feels both families are protective of each other and values their support.

Faris described Katherine as “awesome” and praised how she interacts with Jack. She also highlighted Katherine’s ability to manage everything, especially with daughters Lyla and Eloise, and son Ford.

Now married to Michael Barrett, Faris feels much more at peace with the blended family dynamic. She shared that with time, things have become easier and she’s relieved to have moved past any lingering negativity.

It’s helpful when co-parents agree on things, and Mel B says it took her and Eddie Murphy some time to build that kind of relationship.

Mel B, of the Spice Girls, explained that it was difficult to build a strong relationship with Eddie Murphy while dealing with past trauma and controlling behavior. She said she worked on it gradually. However, she also noted that their friendship has actually grown stronger in recent years, especially now that their teenage daughter, Angel, spends time with Murphy and his large family. Mel B praised Murphy as a dedicated father, mentioning they often spend holidays and other time together.

Just because the TV show The O.C. was full of drama doesn’t mean Rachel Bilson and her ex, Hayden Christensen, have a difficult co-parenting relationship. In a 2024 interview with People, Bilson shared that things are going well. They share a daughter, Briar Rose, and Bilson said she’s thriving with lots of support from both parents and their extended network.

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2026-03-07 14:18