Tori Spelling Is ‘Grateful’ for Co-Parenting Relationship with Dean McDermott (Exclusive)

Tori Spelling is opening up about her co-parenting dynamic with ex-husband Dean McDermott.

While speaking to PEOPLE at the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball in Los Angeles on Friday, Dec. 5, the 52-year-old actress said she’s “so grateful” for her relationship with the Due South actor, 59, since their divorce was finalized in November — especially when it comes to raising their five children. 

“I watched families go through horror stories with the parents, and at the end of the day, you created beings because you had so much love between you,” Spelling — who shares Liam Aaron, 18, Stella Doreen, 17, Hattie Margaret, 14, Finn Davey, 13, and Beau Dean, 8 with McDermott — explained. “We love and care about each other so much, and I was shocked just because I always read horror stories and everyone predicted it to be so messy, the divorce, and it was super easy and loving.”

She added, “We do family dinners, we do everything together, so it’s really good for the kids.”

In November, Spelling spoke about her divorce for the first time since it was settled on an episode of her misSPELLING podcast. 

“I am officially divorced. It’s been quite a journey,” she began. “I gotta say, you guys, this is something never said — this was one of the easiest divorces in Hollywood. You can quote me there. Screw it — take Hollywood out. This is one of the easiest divorces [ever].”

“It’s so interesting because Dean and I were together 20 years, married 18, and while we had our ups and downs and problems throughout our marriage, we’ve had absolutely no problems throughout the divorce,” she continued.

She added that it’s “a testament to the two of us and wanting to really step up and be there for the five humans we chose to create out of love and setting a good example.”

As for what the Beverly Hills, 90210 actress is looking forward to in the new year, she told PEOPLE she just wants 2026 to be “a little easier and a little more light and bright for me.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“I feel like I’ve been conjuring a lot of things, and I’m seeing them all manifest, and I’m like, ‘Wow,’ ” she shared. “I think we’re all not present because we’re moving so fast through life, and I’m taking a beat to really focus on what I want for myself, my kids, my career, and I’m watching it happen the more I believe in it happening.”