Garner on Mom Guilt: 'Radically Kind' to Imperfection

Jennifer Garner shared her philosophy on motherhood and career, emphasizing the importance of self-compassion amidst the challenges of being a working mom. The actress, who shares three children with ex-husband Ben Affleck, spoke about the significant 'upheaval' following their divorce, which led her to largely step back from work for a period.

Garner explained that striving for balance in work and family life is unrealistic, and instead, she adopted a 'radically kind' approach to the inherent imperfections. She believes that a mother's sense of 'okayness' is crucial for her children's emotional security, especially during significant family changes.

Reflecting on her past, Garner stated that Affleck was the love of her life, and she would not change their decision to have children, despite their eventual separation in 2015. Affleck himself has acknowledged their lifelong connection through their children, expressing gratitude for Garner as the mother of his kids and stressing the importance of mutual respect.

Currently, Garner is finding renewed joy in her professional endeavors, viewing work as an integral part of life, complete with its own share of successes and failures. She no longer apologizes to her children for her work commitments, framing it as a natural aspect of life.