Olivia Wilde & Jason Sudeikis Have Co-Parenting Down To A Science: 'Getting The Best Of Us'

Ending a relationship is never easy, and the situation only gets more complicated when there are kids involved. From legal worries like child support and custody to the daily practicalities of raising children between two homes, co-parenting with an ex can be a veritable minefield of potential conflicts. But it seems some celebrities have co-parenting down to a science, such as former couple Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis.

After meeting at a Hollywood party in 2011, actor-turned-director Wilde and "Ted Lasso" star Sudeikis quickly hit it off and got engaged in 2012. They then welcomed a son, Otis, in 2014, and a daughter, Daisy, in 2016. Still, there was no wedding date in sight — not necessarily a red flag, as many famous celebrity couples never plan to get married. But as the years went on, it became clear that something wasn't working, and the duo eventually called off their engagement in 2020. "There was absolutely no drama or scandal; they just didn't work as a couple anymore," an anonymous source told ET at the time. And while the years following their split were sometimes rocky, Wilde and Sudeikis never lost sight of their children's well-being.

"Their kids are their number one priority and at the forefront of any decision they make," ET's source went on. "They will continue to be each other's biggest supporters, especially when it comes to parenting." And it seems that Wilde and Sudeikis have cracked the code to civil cooperation. As Wilde said on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast, their kids "are consistently getting the best of us in a way that when we were together was not possible." Time and again, Wilde has been outspoken that splitting up has actually made her and Sudeikis better parents.

Appearing on "Call Her Daddy" in 2026, Olivia Wilde explained her post-separation parenting style — and how co-parenting has empowered her and Jason Sudeikis to be more engaged with their kids. "I share custody, and I am really grateful for the opportunity to have this space when I am completely with my kids, completely engaged with them, and they are, you know, the focus," she said. Sudeikis has always agreed that simply 'being there' for your kids is extremely important. "I think staying around is the trick. Being present is a good quality," he told Us Weekly in 2018, joking, "At least I'll know how I screwed them up!"

Still speaking to "Call Her Daddy," Wilde explained, "Once you are sharing custody with someone, it shifts the way you think about parenting. I really value the opportunity to be completely present with them and then to hand them off to a very capable co-parent ... I have this space, which is permission to then go work." 

Of course, this sometimes draws comments from the peanut gallery. But Wilde doesn't let outside opinions upset their co-parenting balance. "If I know that I'm showing up for my kids in all the important ways, then I feel confident despite any judgment," Wilde said, explaining that even when she misses an event with her kids, she's "talking to them about their day" and "engaging with them in the way that actually mattered." In essence, she and Sudeikis have created a system that values quality time over quantity. Now, Wilde just wishes that other struggling parents could overcome stigma to embrace this approach for themselves.

Parents can hesitate to end a long-term relationship, fearing the impact on their kids. However, Olivia Wilde thinks staying out of duty is worse. Some parents may feel guilty about separating because they worry that their children will be getting less love, but that doesn't have to be the case. "You can create a dynamic that allows that kid to have the maximum amount of love," she told "Call Her Daddy," citing herself and Sudeikis as a prime example. "We did not work together, but we work really well as separated co-parents. And I so when I talk to people who are just in very unhappy situations and staying in it for the kids, I'm like, you're doing no one any favors."

Sometimes, it may even be best for parents to completely avoid contact, protecting their individual peace — and their kids' — by taking a parallel parenting approach. As Wilde added, "I really want to tell people, you can be an incredible parent. Even if you are not with them 100% of the time and you're sharing them with their other parent, it doesn't mean you won't be as good of a parent. You might even be a better parent." 

Ultimately, the "House" actor believes that co-parenting thrives under a divide-and-conquer strategy, where both parents can enjoy focused time with their kids while maintaining other priorities. "You have to find the balance," said Wilde, declaring that divvying up responsibilities "can allow for really amazing parenting because we are always our best with our kids. They get the best of us."