In late June, British-American model and actress Jodie Turner-Smith talked to Hota Kotb on Kotb’s Joy 101 podcast about co-parenting her 5-year-old daughter, Juno, whom she shares with her ex-husband, Dawson’s Creek actor Joshua Jackson.
Turner-Smith filed for divorce from Jackson in 2023, after 4 years of marriage. The couple finalized their divorce in May 2025. At the time, according to People, they agreed to joint physical and legal custody of their then-3½-year-old. However, conflict over custody issues arose just a month later.
That June, People reported, “Jackson filed an emergency motion alleging that his ex-wife had changed their daughter Juno’s school without his permission.” He asked for a court order to keep Juno at the school she was already attending for another year and for shared consent with his ex on any further school changes.
A trial was planned to resolve the disputes, but then called off in October 2025. Court documents show that the couple was working through the conflicts together out of court. In April 2026, People confirmed that Jackson and Turner-Smith hired a private judge to finalize custody arrangements.
Turner-Smith has been candid about how hard it is to find harmony on these highly sensitive custody issues. In late 2024, she told Glamour, “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,” she said. “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 coparent.”
In her conversation with Kotb this summer, Turner-Smith emphasized that the exes understand how important it is to consider how best to talk to Juno about the changes the family is going through, always asking themselves, ‘Okay, what is the language around which we are going to talk about this with our daughter?’ Because it is her new reality,” Turner-Smith explained.
She also told Kotb that this issue is especially important to her and Jackson because “I’m a child of divorce myself and so is my ex-husband.”
She said they’re focused on “being age-appropriate and child-centered in the way that you talk about it.” And as E! reported, the exes’ top rule is to ensure that their daughter “never feels caught in the middle.”
Turner-Smith also revealed that she relies a lot on children’s books on the topic. “I read her so many books about divorce, about what that means. About what that new world is, about what is supposed to be happening, what’s not supposed to be happening,”
She said they’re “keeping it real” and admitted that while these conversations can be very hard, she tries to stay positive for her young daughter.
“We’re learning as well and not always getting it totally right — but the idea is always two homes filled with love,” she continued. “I’m like, ‘You got two houses, girl.'”
Here are 6 expert tips for talking to your young child about divorce:
- Center your child. This is a strained and painful time between you and your ex. But for your child’s sake, do your best to set aside your differences and show that you’re still a team in caring for them. Choose a calm time and place to talk as a family. Plan ahead what you’ll say. Speak as a “we,” avoiding blame, reasons, and too much information.
- Keep it real, simple, concrete – and on repeat. The changes surrounding divorce and the shift to co-parenting are complex and can be very confusing for your young child. Talk in terms they can understand. For example, “Mommy and Daddy aren’t getting along well. We’ve decided not to be married anymore. We’re going to live in different houses now.” Moving forward, keep explaining the transitions that will happen, according to your parenting plan, in real time. “Today you’re going to be at Daddy’s house. You’ll go there after school and have dinner and sleep over. Then tomorrow you’ll come to mommy’s house. Teddy bear can go with you to both places!”
- Reassure, Reassure, Reassure. Young children are prone to blaming themselves, even if they don’t articulate it. Proactively tell your child again and again that this is not their fault – they didn’t do anything wrong, they didn’t cause the divorce, and they couldn’t have prevented it. Tell them, all the time, that both parents love them so much and always will. Make sure they know they’ll be safe and secure and that you’ll continue to take good care of them – even in separate houses. Both homes will be filled with love.
- Maintain routines. Talk about what will change, but also what will stay the same. Young children thrive on consistency. In a time of upheaval and uncertainty, ground them in what they know, in things that are familiar and important in their world – a daily schedule, school, activities, bedtime, contact with close family and friends.
- Answer questions, validate emotions. Let your little one know that you understand this is difficult and confusing, and it’s ok to have big feelings and lots of questions. Be prepared with simple, honest, age-appropriate answers. Invite questions, make sure they know they can talk to you, and encourage them to share their feelings or worries. Don’t push; give them time – you will have many more conversations and explain things over and over. If some things are still being worked out, it’s ok to say you don’t have the answer yet but will let them know as soon as you can.
- Pour on the love. Give your child lots of physical affection. Hugs, cuddles, holding hands, cozying up and reading books together, and just being close can give comfort and help them sense that your love for them hasn’t changed.
The compassionate and experienced family law attorneys at SFLG handle all legal matters related to divorce and child custody. Your children’s wellbeing is always our first priority. We can help you navigate this difficult transition with calm, clarity, and good communication.
By Debra Schoenberg
