Jennifer Garner, the acclaimed American actress known for her roles in Alias and 13 Going on 30, may have won over millions of fans across the globe, but at home, her toughest critics are her own children. On February 19, 2026, Garner made a candid appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, sharing a refreshingly honest account of her life as a mother to three: Violet, 20, Seraphina, 17, and Samuel, 13—her children with ex-husband and fellow Hollywood star Ben Affleck.
"I am fully cringe. I am only embarrassing," Garner declared with a laugh during her conversation with host Jennifer Hudson, as reported by Daily Mail and The News International. The admission drew knowing smiles from Hudson, herself a parent to a 16-year-old son, and surely resonated with countless viewers who have weathered the stormy seas of parenting teenagers.
The heart of the matter? Garner’s children, now firmly in their teenage and young adult years, are not exactly lining up to watch her latest projects. Most recently, she asked them if they planned to tune in for the second season of her Apple TV+ series, The Last Thing He Told Me, which is set to premiere on February 20, 2026. Their response was as blunt as it was familiar to any parent: "Do you need us to?" Garner recounted, her tone mixing amusement and exasperation.
"Kids don't want to see their parents in... right? They don't want to see us cry, or see us have a romantic scene, or anything. We're just embarrassing," Garner explained, highlighting a universal truth that transcends celebrity status. According to The News International, she elaborated that her children’s discomfort with her on-screen roles—especially those involving emotional or romantic moments—is a key reason for their reluctance.
Despite her children’s reluctance to watch her latest work, Garner did manage to score a few "cool points" thanks to her co-star on The Last Thing He Told Me: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, best known for his iconic portrayal of Jaime Lannister on HBO’s Game of Thrones. As it turns out, her son Samuel is "really into Game of Thrones right now." Garner joked that starring alongside Coster-Waldau might finally earn her a nod of approval at home—even if it’s just a small one.
Garner’s openness about her family dynamic is nothing new. Last month, in an interview with Marie Claire UK, she described her children as "so cool" and reflected on how her approach to parenting has evolved as they’ve grown older. "Parenting now has shifted. It's more about parenting with a button on my mouth. You have to let them grow up and make their choices. You don't get to control it," she said, emphasizing the delicate balance between guidance and independence that comes with raising teens and young adults.
She also spoke of her pride in her children, saying, "I am so proud of how they walk through the world, and proud of them for trying hard." Yet, she admitted that navigating the spotlight as a family—especially with two famous parents—comes with its own set of challenges. "Not hard in the grand scheme of what is hard in the world, but tricky for me and tricky for my family," she confessed, acknowledging the unique pressures faced by celebrity families.
Ben Affleck, Garner’s ex-husband and father of her three children, remains a prominent figure in the public eye as well. Affleck, who was previously married to pop icon Jennifer Lopez, was recently seen at the premiere of The Rip in New York on January 13. While Garner’s comments focused on her relationship with her children, there was no mention of how they feel about their father’s or former stepmother’s current high-profile lives.
During her appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, Garner was joined by her The Last Thing He Told Me co-stars, including Judy Greer, Angourie Rice, and, of course, Coster-Waldau. The series, which stars Garner as Hannah Hall, continues to generate buzz ahead of its season two release. Yet, for all the accolades and attention, it seems the real test for Garner is whether she can get her own kids to watch—even if just out of curiosity.
Hudson, ever the empathetic host, commiserated with Garner about the struggle for parental "cool points." "We don’t get no cool points for that," Hudson quipped, underscoring the generational divide that plagues even the most glamorous of families.
Garner’s willingness to share these less-than-glamorous truths about her family life has endeared her to audiences. Her stories—whether about being "fully cringe" or learning to parent with her "button on my mouth"—offer a glimpse into the human side of Hollywood, where even A-list stars must grapple with eye rolls and sighs from their kids.
It’s worth noting that, while her children may find her embarrassing now, Garner’s approach to parenting is rooted in respect and admiration for their autonomy. She recognizes that letting go is part of the process, even if it means accepting a bit of embarrassment along the way. Her comments reflect a broader shift in parenting culture: a move away from strict control and toward fostering independence, resilience, and self-expression in young people.
As Daily Mail and The News International both highlighted, the pressures of fame do not shield one from the everyday realities of raising a family. Garner’s experience is a reminder that, beneath the glitz and glamour, the challenges of parenthood—awkward moments and all—are universal.
With season two of The Last Thing He Told Me set to premiere, fans will be watching not only to see what’s next for Garner’s character on screen but also to see whether her children’s verdict softens with time. For now, though, it seems "fully cringe" is a badge Garner wears with humility—and just a touch of pride.