Jennifer Garner Opens Up About Her Mother's Day Wish and Life With Her Three Kids

Jennifer Garner is getting candid about what really matters to her off-screen.

The Alias star, now 54, graces the cover of Better Homes & Gardens' July/August 2026 issue, where she sits down to discuss her home life, parenting, friendships, and the lessons that guide her daily choices.

A mother of three with ex-husband Ben Affleck, Garner shares her life with Violet (20), Seraphina, also known as Finn (17), and Samuel (14). In the wide-ranging conversation, she opens up about everything from family rituals to navigating work and motherhood.

A Special Mother's Day Request

For this year's Mother's Day, Garner had one specific wish: gathering her kids in their upstairs reading nook to revisit the beloved stories of their childhood. "They're like, 'Mom.' And I'm like, 'I know, but I think I need that. You have to let me,'" she recalled.

Prioritizing Friendships

Despite her demanding schedule, Garner makes female friendships a priority. "I feel like I'm usually kind of the buzzkill—'sorry, I'm busy.' But if I'm home and there is free time, I will find time for my ladies. It may be like 6 in the morning, but I will see my friends," she shared.

The Challenges of Filming

When she's deep in production, Garner describes feeling almost like an outsider in her own household. "When I'm working, I can almost feel like a visitor in the house. I'm gone before they are awake. I give them a kiss when I come home. I might have dinner with them, and then I'm like, 'I'm so sorry, I have to learn lines and go to bed,'" she explained.

Adjusting to an Empty Nest

With her eldest now away at college, the household dynamic has shifted. "We miss her a lot. When Violet calls or FaceTimes, we're all crowded around the phone," Garner said. She's noticed how her younger two have grown closer to each other and to her in new ways. "I remember when my big sister left, my little sister and I connected in a different way. My mom and I connected in a different way. I see that happening, and there's sweetness in that."

Values for the Next Generation

When asked what she hopes her children carry forward from their upbringing, Garner emphasized the importance of levity and creativity. "I hope they value humor. Laughing your way through it, loving people through it, finding what's funny. And I hope they take music and books with them," she said.

Lessons From Her Parents

Garner credits her own upbringing for shaping her approach to life and relationships. Her parents modeled a philosophy of generosity and grace: "They met people assuming the best, assuming they will love them and receive love from them. I think that's a gift."

She also learned the power of self-forgiveness. "If you mess up, if you got out of shape, if you burned something, if you forgot to pick your kid up—which I did the other day—just say, 'Whoops.' Get past beating yourself up as quickly as possible. It doesn't help."

Finding Her Tribe

Garner reveals that her strongest sense of community comes from her professional life. "I've never been somebody who's been at the center of a social group. The only place where I truly have a tribe is on set because I've worked with the same group of people for 25 years. And I'm just one of the cogs in the wheel. We roll onto a new production and we're like, 'What's up?'"

Redefining Balance

Rather than chasing day-to-day equilibrium, Garner takes a longer view. "You can't live a balanced life day to day, but you can if you look at it through seasons," she explained.

When it comes to choosing her next role, Garner trusts her instincts. "I feel like the projects that are meant for me are the ones that come my way. So it's usually pretty clear what I should lean into and what is not going to be best suited for me."

Read the full interview at bhg.com.