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I just want to express my gratitude to all the print outlets bringing us content at this time. People especially has been stepping up and they’re even asking celebrities to give them video segments from home. Their “most beautiful” issue is chock full of good quotes, and I wanted to talk about Jennifer Garner’s interview. She was the most beautiful last year, remember? (Wouldn’t it be great if People featured more women of color on their cover? They could have done a joint cover this year with Regina Hall and Regina King, they’re both 49! To be fair People has been trying somewhat, but I digress.) Anyway Garner gave them some quotes about how her kids are coping and adjusting.
Jennifer Garner… has been most impressed with “how quickly we all adjusted in a way,” Garner tells PEOPLE in this year’s issue.
But [she] still looks forward to “seeing my kids hug their friends,” she says of son Samuel, 8, plus daughters Seraphina, 11, and Violet, 14: “I have a deep need to see my girlfriends, but I can’t wait to see my kids have a big, old germy sleepover and just be kids.”
She’s also using their time at home to teach her young children the basics when it comes to cleaning. “When I was coming up through the ranks, I scrubbed bathrooms in theaters from one side of this country to the other,” Garner recalls. “I always somehow ended up on bathroom-scrubbing duty.”
“So it’s nice to see my kids learn these things,” she adds. “I’m so proud of kids everywhere and how flexible they’re all having to be and how they’re all rising to the challenge.”
The biggest challenge for Garner has actually been finding a little time for her own self-care.
“Last night I finally gave myself some kind of halfhearted manicure,” she tells PEOPLE. “I can’t say that I’ve showered every day but all the facial and hair masks that are in the drawer are finally coming out and being put to use…
Garner has also been inspired by the acts of kindness she has witnessed during the crisis and finds hope in “just the enormous love that people have for each other.”
“All the people who are giving us the luxury of being able to stay home, because they are stocking grocery stores and cooking in restaurants, and working in hospitals,” she says. “All of these jobs that are so important, are truly the fabric of society. And they’re doing them. It’s just so brave and generous.”
If everyone “can do that for each other,” adds Garner “then we have to be okay.”
I am so grateful that I have a teenager with me instead of small children that need that much more attention and care. Sometimes we bicker but it’s going pretty well overall. I know that sounds obnoxious and like I’m removed from the everyday realities of dealing with small children because I am. I’m trying to show a teenager how to clean the bathroom every week.
I know what Garner is saying and she deserves credit for telling people to stay home and for thanking the people working now. The thought of little kids hanging out and swapping germs at this point skeeves me out. I can’t say I’m excited to be around other people again. It grosses me out on some level and I’m still scared about it. Remember how, during the AIDS crisis, we were told that we were having sex with every person our partner had sex with? I think about that all the time now, except just by touching someone or standing within six feet of them it’s like we’re making out with everyone that’s been within six feet of that person.
Garner and her girls stepped out with their cat in a stroller last week. She was carrying some kind of list. I wonder if she was doing a scavenger hunt or something.
I’m going to try this English muffin recipe! I was able to score yeast, I’m so sorry to those of you who can’t find it.
Photos credit: Getty, Backgrid and via Instagram
I’d like her as a neighbor. Not sure about the ex creeping the neighborhood though.
I think Garner seems like at least a good person but, what the helllll is she going to do when her kids aren’t ‘kids’ anymore (& not having sleepovers)? I just get this Mommy Forever vibe, & her comments about sheltering her daughter Violet (now 14? 15? teenager nonetheless) w/the excuse being ‘protection’ when Violet was in 7th/8th grade & didn’t have her own device, like a laptop/computer/iPad. The teacher literally advised Garner that Violet was the only one w/o a device. That’s not protection, that’s helicopter parenting & it’s insanely detrimental to kids growing up. The excuse of celebrity is pointlesss, too. The more she holds tight & shelters them, the more harm it causes down the line – including them pulling away or acting out or not being able to have emotional/livelihood independence. I get that between her & Affleck she’s more ‘dependable’ but ugh, those kids will have…’a time’ puberty & beyond…
She said she gave Violet a laptop some years ago and she has iPhone. She has her work and I don’t think the children are her only interesting in life. Maybe she looks overprotective because their father is an addict who was cheating with their nanny in their home and has a new young girlfriend every few months.
The cat in the stroller!!! That is all
I am so happy to see Stroller Cat again!
The AIDS analogy is a really good one. I don’t think I’d wish for a “germy” sleepover ever again. I hope we can agree that sleepovers will be okay but maybe with stricter measures for hygiene and making sure sick kids don’t attend.
You can make yeast! I can’t find the twitter thread where I first learned about it, but I found this: https://thesurvivalmom.com/august-skill-of-the-month-make-your-own-yeast/
It won’t work like the store bought stuff though. The flavour is different, and it’s much much slower to rise.
I like her so much more now that she has gotten rid of about 200lbs (HA !!) of douchebag.
It is almost like a pattern, Jennifer’s are more interesting not having to deal with him. Lopez and now Garner.
“I can’t say I’m excited to be around other people again. It grosses me out on some level and I’m still scared about it.”
I’m glad I’m not the only person who feels that way. Sometimes I feel like I’m overreacting or becoming a shut-in, but I know that’s not the case — I’m just being logical and realistic, and trying to stay safe. I miss my family, concerts, and traveling, but I’m perfectly content living this homebody life for as long as I need to. It feels like some places are lifting restrictions arbitrarily because it has been two months, rather than because of scientific evidence that it is safe to do so. I have some friends who are like “I can’t wait when things get back to normal in June!” and I’m just…not in that mindset, at all. I’m a very positive person, but I just don’t think it’s smart or safe to go back to “normal” anytime in the near future. There were so many things that were wrong with our past “normal” anyway that I don’t feel are worth rushing back to.
“ some places are lifting restrictions arbitrarily because it has been two months, rather than because of scientific evidence that it is safe to do so”
Yes!!! My thoughts exactly. They aren’t changing restrictions because it’s safer, people are just getting antsy.
I’m with you. I was especially disgusted to hear about bowling alleys in GA being opened. I can’t think of a more un-hygenic place or pastime. Economics aside, is bowling really that important right now?!
I am feeling the same way! I am in no hurry to go outside. I am very happy being home and just going out when I need to. The thought of it scares me at this point because it’s not safe. We are still learning so much about this disease. Even if you’ve had it once- you are not immune and can be reinfected. We need massive testing that we don’t have. Even when they say the coast is clear, I am still going to wear a mask and gloves.
I’ve liked Jennifer Garner since Alias. She comes across as a little too wholesome sometimes but overall I still like her. I love her pretend cooking show posts and I like being able to see her kitchen.
I also have no plans to emerge in June. It’s way too soon! We’ve come this far and we should hunker down until there are no new infections for at least a month. Or when there’s reliable widely available testing. Or when there are antibody tests. Or when there’s a vaccine. Preferably all 4. The best explanation I saw was – you should continue taking a course of antibiotics until you’re done with the prescription. Not when you start feeling better. We have 2 young kids at home (under 5) and I will just stay at home even though it’s super painful. We can do this! And yes, the essential workers who keep things running should be compensated fairly for their work.
I loved her in Alias, she was so badass.
Stroller Cat!
But what we really wanted her to comment on was Ben-Ana.
Her face though. She’s practically unrecognizable
LMAO
I can’t wait until my kids can have sleepovers. My kids miss their friends desperately and this has been really hard on them. We also lost my mom two weeks ago today, but live several states away so have only seen the rest of the family over video. She didn’t die from covid19, but she might have lived if she had gone to the doctor as soon as she had symptoms instead of waiting and seeing at home. She never went in and she died at home.
I don’t think life is going to be back to normal in June. Or July. Or probably August. I’m in NC, surrounded by 3 states that are lifting restrictions. And my own state has announced a three phase plan that takes us into mid July if everything goes as smoothly as possible (which I don’t think anyone expects).
We also own a small family run business that can not operate until the sheltering in place is over. We’ve got people working from home at lowered hrs, but it’s stressful and best case scenario we survive this year breaking even with no profits. I don’t let myself think about the worst case scenario. Mostly because I don’t think we are ready to open things up yet and I don’t want any more loss in my family or anyone else’s. Grieving from afar is HARD and I miss my sisters and my dad, but I also miss my friends who have been as supportive as you can be online, but the truth is I feel completely alone trying to act like I’m not going crazy for the sake of my kids and husband.
And that apparently turned into a therapy session! So Jennifer Garner… I wonder what kind of hair masks she uses?
Deadnotsleeping.. I am so sorry for your loss and what is happening with your business. I understand that online is not real life but offering a virtual hug till you get the real ones from your family and friends.
The cat is a cutie. And the girls are pretty. We want our freedom back. Hopefully the coronavirus will disappear soon. Summer, sun, virus free holidays! My dream.
The first photo is a very photogenic of her. She and Ben’s new girlfriend look a lot alike.