Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner's Family Easter and the Reality of Modern Co-Parenting

Hollywood loves a mess. We’ve seen the tabloid covers, the blurry paparazzi shots from 2015, and the endless speculation about what went wrong between "Bennifer 1.0" and the eventual Garner years. But there is something incredibly grounding about the Affleck and Garner family Easter traditions that have persisted long after the divorce papers were signed. It isn't just about chocolate bunnies or church services in Pacific Palisades. Honestly, it’s a masterclass in how two people who once shared a life can navigate the tricky waters of "new normals" without making it a total disaster for their kids.

They do it every year. Or most years, anyway. Even as Ben moved on to his high-profile reunion and marriage with Jennifer Lopez, the commitment to showing up for Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel during the holidays hasn't really wavered.

It’s easy to look at photos of them walking into a church and think it’s all for show. It isn't. When you look at the body language—the way Jen Garner usually leads the way with a casual coffee in hand and Ben follows, looking slightly more disheveled but present—you see a family that has done the hard work of therapy and boundary-setting. They aren't trying to be the "perfect" exes anymore. They're just being parents.

The Pacific Palisades Ritual: Why Location Matters

Most of these Affleck and Garner family Easter sightings happen in or around the Pacific Palisades. This isn't just because it’s a wealthy enclave. It’s their home turf. Staying local for the holidays is a strategic move that many high-conflict (or formerly high-conflict) couples miss. By keeping the venue consistent—usually a local community church followed by a gathering at one of their homes—they minimize the stress on the children.

Change is hard for kids. Divorce makes change a permanent fixture in their lives. By keeping the Easter tradition tied to a specific geographic "safe zone," Ben and Jen provide a sense of continuity that transcends their legal status as a couple.

You've probably noticed that Jennifer Garner is often the one photographed carrying the literal and metaphorical "stuff." She’s got the bags, the snacks, and the organized energy. Ben, conversely, often looks like he’s just happy to be invited. It’s a dynamic that works for them. Some critics argue that Garner does the "heavy lifting" of the emotional labor, but in the context of a healthy co-parenting relationship, sometimes one person is the architect and the other is the reliable contractor. As long as the building stays up, the kids win.

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Dealing with the "J-Lo" Factor

Things got complicated recently. Well, complicated for the public, anyway. When Ben Affleck remarried Jennifer Lopez, the internet held its collective breath. How would the Affleck and Garner family Easter look with a new superstar in the mix?

The answer? Surprisingly low-key.

Lopez has been vocal about her respect for Garner’s parenting. In various interviews, including a notable Vogue feature, Lopez referred to Garner as an "amazing co-parent" and noted that they work well together. This isn't just PR fluff. If it were fake, we’d see the cracks. Instead, we see blended outings. Easter has become less about the "nuclear family" and more about the "extended village."

• Violet is now a young adult.
• The younger kids are navigating their teens.
• The priorities have shifted from egg hunts to meaningful conversation.

The Psychology of the Shared Holiday

Why do they bother? Honestly, it would be much easier to split the day. Ben could have the morning; Jen could have the afternoon. That’s what most divorce decrees suggest. But the Affleck and Garner family Easter remains a joint venture because it reinforces the idea that the "family" didn't end—it just changed shape.

Psychologists often talk about the "burden of choice" for children of divorce. When holidays are separate, the child often feels like they are betraying one parent by enjoying their time with the other. By standing on the same sidewalk, attending the same service, and sharing the same space, Affleck and Garner remove that burden. The kids don't have to choose. They just have to show up.

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It hasn't always been easy. Let’s be real. Ben has been very open about his struggles with addiction and the role it played in the dissolution of his marriage. There were years where Easter probably felt like a tightrope walk. But the 2026 perspective on their relationship is one of hard-won peace.

What People Get Wrong About Celebrity Co-Parenting

We tend to project our own family traumas onto these people. If you had a bitter divorce, you look at Ben and Jen and assume it’s a "PR stunt." If you’re a romantic, you hope they’ll get back together. Both views are wrong.

Basically, they’ve reached a stage of "functional friendship." It’s not the soul-mate level intimacy they once had, but it’s a deep, shared history that they’ve decided to protect. They’ve realized that their egos are less important than their kids' memories. That sounds like a greeting card, but in practice, it’s grueling. It means biting your tongue when your ex-spouse says something annoying in front of the kids. It means coordinating outfits so you don't look like a circus when the paparazzi inevitably find you.

The Actionable Side of the Affleck-Garner Model

You don't need a mansion in the Palisades to pull this off. Whether you’re navigating your own family holidays or just watching from the sidelines, there are some very real takeaways from how this specific family handles their business.

First, keep the tradition, change the expectation. If you used to do a big brunch, keep the brunch, but maybe invite a few more friends so the tension between the exes is diffused. Ben and Jen often have friends or extended family around during these public outings. It acts as a social buffer.

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Second, neutral ground is king. The church they attend is a shared space. It doesn't "belong" to one parent more than the other. This prevents the "guest" feeling that can make co-parenting so awkward.

Third, acknowledge the new partners early. The integration of Jennifer Lopez into the family structure wasn't immediate, but it was intentional. By the time Easter rolls around, everyone knows the seating chart. There are no surprises. Surprises are the enemy of a peaceful holiday.

Moving Forward

The Affleck and Garner family Easter will likely continue to evolve. As the kids grow up and move out, the "family" might stop meeting at a church in the Palisades and start meeting at a restaurant or a travel destination. The core lesson remains: the end of a marriage is not the end of a family.

If you are looking to replicate this kind of peace in your own life, start small. You don't have to spend the whole day together. Start with a 30-minute window where you both show up for a specific event—an egg hunt, a school play, a church service. Build the "co-parenting muscle" slowly. It took Ben and Jen over a decade to make it look this easy.

Next Steps for Healthy Co-Parenting:

1. Audit your holiday schedule. Are you prioritizing your children's comfort or your own desire to "win" the day?
2. Establish a "No-Fly Zone" for conflict. Agree that during holiday windows, certain topics (finances, new dating lives, old grievances) are strictly off-limits.
3. Use a shared calendar app. Reduce the need for back-and-forth texting, which can often lead to misunderstandings.
4. Focus on the kids' narrative. Ask yourself: "What will my children say about this holiday 10 years from now?" If the answer involves "Mom and Dad were fighting," it’s time to pivot.

The legacy of the Affleck-Garner relationship won't be their movies. It will be the fact that their kids grew up seeing two parents who, despite everything, could still stand in the sun together on an Easter morning. That is the real "blockbuster" move.

Practical Insight: If you're currently struggling with an ex during the holidays, consider the "Parallel Parenting" approach before attempting the "Affleck-Garner Co-Parenting" model. Parallel parenting involves limited contact but consistent rules across both households. Once the anger cools, you can transition into the more integrated style seen in the headlines. Accuracy in your approach saves more stress than any "perfect" holiday ever could.