Co-parenting can be a deeply rewarding experience, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. When parents separate or decide to share responsibilities for raising a child, the complexities of coordinating schedules, managing communication, and aligning parenting styles can test even the most well-intentioned partnerships. Recently, in an interview with Glamour, for her Woman of the Year cover story, British actress, Jodie Turner-Smith opens up about co-parenting with ex, Joshua Jackson.
“It’s an adjustment period for anyone when they split up with someone because you’re used to being with your child all the time,” Turner-Smith shared with the outlet. “But nobody hands you a manual. Everyone’s trying to figure it out.”
“Each parent has a different life, and especially if the reason why you’re splitting up is because you have different lives, it’s only further complicated by how you’re going to co-parent.” the 38-year-old actress added.
Turner-Smith was married to Dawson’s Creek alum, Joshua Jackson. The couple welcomed Juno Rose Diana, to the world in April of 2020. The couple split in October of 2023.
At the time of their separation, a source told People Magazine that, “She decided that she is done. They are on very different paths in life. Jodie loves being a mom. She also loves working.”
The source continued saying that, the marriage itself turned “unhealthy”. “It turned into an unhealthy marriage that made her unhappy. They will co-parent their daughter. They want her to continue to thrive.”
The White Noise actress told Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush on a recent episode of Today with Hoda & Jenna that being a mother is one of her “favorite thing[s].”
“Honestly, it’s my favorite thing about myself is that I’m that girl’s mother. I’m just so grateful that she chose me to be her mom; that I got to have that gift in life. It is my favorite thing. I mean, I just, it is an honor.”
Turner-Smith concluded, “I feel like it was our birthright to mother — whether we bring our children or not, I think it’s is a woman’s birthright. We hold space for those around us. It has shifted everything about me. It has only enriched me. It has shown me, No. 1, how powerful I am. Like, whoa! It’s like, Supreme Being — wow!”
It is unquestionably true that “nobody hands you a [co-parenting] manual,” but it seems as if Turner-Smith and Jackson are making it work for the most important person in their lives, Juno Rose Diana.
Photo: Jodie Turner-Smith Instagram; Joshua Jackson Instagram