HGTV star Christina Haack has unveiled the powerful philosophy behind her remarkably harmonious co-parenting dynamics and genuine friendships with her former husbands, Tarek El Moussa and Ant Anstead, proving that maturity and a child-first approach can transform even the most complex family structures into a supportive blended unit.
In the often tumultuous world of celebrity relationships, Christina Haack stands out as a beacon of modern co-parenting success. The acclaimed HGTV star, known for her candid approach to life and renovations, has openly discussed how she cultivates strong, unconventional friendships with her first two ex-husbands, Tarek El Moussa and Ant Anstead.
Haack, 42, recently shared with People magazine the key to these enduring bonds: a collective willingness to “let go of the past” and prioritize the well-being of their children above all else. This philosophy has allowed her to navigate multiple high-profile divorces and forge relationships that benefit everyone involved.
The Foundation of Friendship: Letting Go and Prioritizing Children
Haack’s journey through divorce has been well-documented, marked by periods of tension and public scrutiny. However, she asserts that the shift to her current amicable arrangements required significant effort from all parties. “It really takes everyone in a co-parenting situation wanting to make it work,” she explained in an exclusive interview with People.
This willingness to move forward is a trait she shares particularly with Tarek El Moussa, her first husband and co-star on the new HGTV show The Flip Off. “I’m really good at letting go of the past, so is Tarek,” Haack shared. “We can be over something in literally like .5 seconds and never want to talk about it again.” This shared ability to compartmentalize and forgive has been instrumental in creating a stable environment for their children, Taylor, 15, and Brayden, 10.
Beyond simply co-parenting, Haack and El Moussa, along with Tarek’s wife Heather Rae El Moussa and Christina’s boyfriend Chris Larocca, have cultivated a genuine friendship. They frequently engage in double dates and ensure that all four adults are aligned in their efforts to get along, creating a truly blended and supportive family unit. This level of intentional harmony demonstrates a profound commitment to putting their children’s happiness first.
Harmony with Tarek: A Blended Family on and Off Screen
The relationship between Christina Haack and Tarek El Moussa has evolved significantly since their separation in 2016. Despite their initial “rocky divorces,” the former couple has found a way to not only co-parent effectively but also work together professionally on their new show, The Flip Off.
Their ability to maintain a strong working and co-parenting relationship is further enhanced by the inclusion of their respective partners. Haack’s boyfriend, Chris Larocca, who she started dating in October 2024 as People reported, often joins Haack, Tarek, and Heather Rae El Moussa for social outings. This demonstrates a rare level of maturity and dedication to maintaining peace and friendship within their extended family.
The “maturity level” and the unwavering focus on their children, Taylor and Brayden, serve as the cornerstones of this successful dynamic. It’s a powerful example of how former partners can transcend past conflicts for the greater good of their family.
Reconciliation with Ant: A Fresh Start After Turmoil
Haack’s relationship with her second ex-husband, Ant Anstead, father to their son Hudson, 6, also underwent a significant transformation. Their split in September 2020 was followed by a heated custody battle that was eventually settled in November 2022, leaving their relationship tense for years.
However, a pivotal moment arrived with Haack’s third divorce from Josh Hall in July 2024. This event, surprisingly, brought Christina and Ant closer together. Haack recalled the conversation: “When Josh and I split up, Ant and I immediately had a heart-to-heart and he said, ‘I want to co-parent Hudson. Like you and Tarek do.’ Not those words exactly, but he said, ‘I want to have a great co-parenting relationship with you.'”
This willingness from Anstead to embrace a “fresh start” mirrored Haack’s own philosophy and paved the way for a much-improved co-parenting dynamic. They now regularly attend their son Hudson’s soccer games, sit together at school events, and celebrate birthday parties side-by-side.
The Kids’ Perspective: A Wonderful Reality
For Haack, the ultimate reward of these unconventional arrangements is the positive impact on her children. While some might label her blended family as “weird,” she views it as “wonderful.”
“Thank God, because that would make me so sad if growing up, Hudson, didn’t get to have those things with us,” she reflected. The seamless integration of her ex-husbands and their new families into her children’s lives means that the kids know “anyone can come over here and we could do Christmas together and we could do parties together.”
This creates a sense of stability, love, and community for Taylor, Brayden, and Hudson, demonstrating that even after divorce, families can redefine themselves and thrive through intentional effort and a focus on what truly matters: the children.
Key Lessons from Christina Haack’s Co-Parenting Success
Christina Haack’s experience offers valuable insights for anyone navigating complex family dynamics:
- Let Go of the Past: Actively choose to move beyond past grievances and focus on the present and future.
- Prioritize the Children: Make decisions based on what creates the most stable and loving environment for the kids.
- Mutual Effort: Success requires all adults in the co-parenting situation to genuinely want to make it work.
- Maturity and Communication: Open and honest dialogue, coupled with a mature approach, can overcome significant challenges.
- Embrace New Dynamics: Be open to blending families and forming friendships with ex-partners and their new significant others.
Haack’s story is a powerful testament that messy divorces don’t have to lead to permanently fractured families. With conscious effort, empathy, and a child-centric mindset, it is possible to build new, supportive relationships that benefit everyone involved, proving that an “unconventional” family can indeed be a “wonderful” one.
