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Ben Affleck Shares Heartwarming Story About His Mom's Genius Parenting Hack

Alaina April 16, 2025

During a recent chat with Kelly Clarkson, Ben Affleck opened up about growing up with a single mom and shared a hilarious tale about his beloved mother, Christine Anne Boldt. The Good Will Hunting star revealed how his mom taught him a lesson about responsibility in an unforgettable way.

A Lesson in Responsibility: Ben’s Childhood Wish

Ben Affleck, now 47, appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show and reminisced about his childhood. “My mom had one lesson she really wanted to teach me when I was growing up,” Ben said. “I wanted a dog when I was a little kid, you know? Who doesn’t, right?” he joked. The Batman actor went on to explain how his mom handled his request for a furry friend.

Mom Knows Best: The Imaginary Dog Challenge

Unfortunately for young Ben, his mom didn’t think he was quite ready for the responsibility of owning a dog. “She said, ‘Ben, I don’t think you’re responsible enough yet,’” he recalled. But Ben wasn’t about to take no for an answer. “I was ten years old, and I was like, ‘Mom, come on! I am so responsible!’” he laughed. Sensing her son’s determination, Ben’s mom came up with a clever compromise.

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“She said, ‘Alright, Ben, if you think you’re ready, let’s see if you can prove it,’” Ben explained. “‘You have to walk the dog every day, twice a day.’” Excited by the prospect of finally getting a pet, Ben eagerly agreed. “I was like, ‘Let’s get the dog! I’m ready!’” But there was a twist—his mom wasn’t ready to hand over a real dog just yet.

The Clever Catch: Walking an Invisible Dog

Ben’s mom had a unique way of testing his commitment. “She said, ‘Not so fast, Ben. First, you have to walk an imaginary dog,’” he recounted, causing Kelly Clarkson to burst into laughter. “I was like, ‘What do you mean, imaginary?’” Ben continued. “She said, ‘You’re going to walk around the block twice a day, pretending you have a leash in your hand, as if you’re walking a dog. If you can do that, then maybe you’re ready.’”

Ben admitted he was initially confused but decided to take the challenge seriously. “So, I did it,” he said. “Every single day, I’d grab an empty leash—yes, an empty leash—and walk around the block twice. This woman, who I hope is watching this right now, actually gave me a leash to make it feel real!”

The Twist: A Lesson in Disappointment

After three weeks of faithfully walking his "invisible dog," Ben was confident he’d proven himself. But then came the unexpected twist. “Three weeks in, she says, ‘You know what, Ben? I’m not giving you a dog,’” he revealed. Kelly gasped in disbelief. “She said, ‘I just didn’t think you’d follow through. Now, you’ve learned a lesson about disappointment.’” Ben laughed as he shared the story, showing how his mom used the experience to teach him valuable life lessons.

Parenting Techniques Passed Down

Given that Ben is one of Hollywood’s most famous mama’s boys, it’s no surprise his mom’s parenting style has influenced how he raises his own children. A source close to Ben and his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, told Closer Weekly that the couple is dedicated to teaching their kids responsibility and good values.

“Despite everything they’ve been through, Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel couldn’t be more grounded,” the insider shared. “They’re incredibly well-behaved and polite. It’s important to both Ben and Jen to teach their kids the value of money and responsibility.”