Jennifer Garner reportedly thinks Ben Affleck may be better off staying single for now.
After Affleck’s divorce from Jennifer Lopez, Garner is said to believe that a dating break could help her ex-husband keep his life calmer and more focused. The actress is not trying to control his personal choices, but insiders say she sees real value in him putting his energy into himself, his children, and his work.
“Jen thinks it might actually be good for Ben to take a break from dating for a while,” a source told Page Six. “She cares about him a lot and only wants what’s best for him at the end of the day.”
The insider added that Garner sees Affleck as happier than he has been in a long time. “From her perspective, he’s happier than he’s been in a long time and she feels like it could be healthy for him to keep putting that energy into himself, his work and his family instead of jumping into a relationship,” the source said.
Garner Reportedly Wants Affleck To Focus On Himself
Garner and Affleck were married for 10 years, from 2005 until 2015, and they share three children: Violet, 20, Seraphina, 17, and Samuel, 14.
Their relationship has remained unusually close for a divorced Hollywood couple, especially as they continue co-parenting their children.
A source stressed that Garner is not trying to run Affleck’s dating life.
“That said, she trusts Ben to make his own decisions and supports him either way,” the insider said.
Still, the message is clear. Garner reportedly believes Affleck does not need to rush into another serious romance so soon after the collapse of his marriage to Lopez.
Affleck Has Not Ruled Out Dating
Affleck may not be closing the door completely.
A second source told Page Six that the ‘Gone Girl’ actor “isn’t ruling out dating” and would be open to putting himself out there again.
“Ben isn’t ruling out dating and would be open to putting himself out there again,” the source said. “He has friends who have offered to set him up, but he’s also incredibly busy right now and isn’t sure he has the time for a serious, committed relationship.”
For now, Affleck’s focus is reportedly on family and several upcoming projects.
That may be exactly why Garner thinks a pause could help him. After years of public attention around his rekindled romance, second engagement, and divorce from Lopez, Affleck appears to be in a quieter stretch.
Garner And Affleck’s Bond Has Stayed Strong
Garner and Affleck recently reunited to support their daughter Violet during an urgent care visit in Los Angeles.
Photos showed the former couple helping Violet as she entered the medical center. Affleck had his arm around their daughter, while Garner helped guide them inside.
The outing came after reports that Garner and Affleck have been “spending more time together than ever” since his split from Lopez.
An insider previously said the exes “really do have a close bond” and understand that not all divorced couples are able to get along this well.
That closeness has put Garner back in the conversation around Affleck’s personal life. She may not be telling him what to do, but she reportedly believes another serious relationship may not be what he needs right now.
Lopez Divorce Put Affleck Back In The Spotlight
Affleck and Lopez first dated in 2002 after meeting on the set of ‘Gigli.’ They got engaged that November, but ended the relationship in January 2004. Nearly two decades later, they reunited in 2021, became engaged again, and married in Las Vegas in July 2022. They later held a larger wedding ceremony in Georgia.
Lopez filed for divorce in August 2024, on the second anniversary of that Georgia ceremony.
Now Affleck is single again, and Garner reportedly wants him to protect the peace he has found.
For Garner, the issue does not appear to be jealousy or control. It is concern. She has seen Affleck through major highs, messy lows, and years of public scrutiny. Her view seems to be simple: Ben Affleck may not need a new romance right now. He may need a reset.
