Having to cope with the demands of  two small children as well as the sweltering New York sunshine would be enough to fluster most mums.

But Jennifer Garner looked cool, calm and collected in a little black dress as she took her young daughters Violet, four, and 18-month-old Seraphina out in Central Park.

And with husband Ben Affleck currently promoting his new movie, The Town, in Los Angeles, Garner called on family friend, actor Victor Garber and a nanny to help look after the kids.

Garber, 61, strolled alongside the 37-year-old actress who at one point, helped little Violet cool down in a water fountain.

The actor worked alongside Garner on more than 100 episodes of the hit show Alias where he played her on-screen dad.

They have been friends ever since, with Garber officiating at Garner’s 2005 wedding to Affleck.

Garner has been flying back and forth between Los Angeles and New York, where she is currently filming Arthur, a remake of the 1981 movie, alongside Russell Brand and Helen Mirren.

The actress has recently denied rumours she is expecting their third child.