Ethan Slater Shares Rare Comments About Being a Dad to His 2-Year-Old Son: 'Best Thing in the World'

The actor and his ex-wife Lilly Jay welcomed their son in August 2022

is giving a rare update on his life as a dad to a 2-year-old son.

While speaking with for their cover story published Wednesday, Oct. 30, the actor, 31, opened up about how he’s navigating life as a new parent. Slater and his ex-wife welcomed their son in August 2022 and in September.

Being a dad “is the best thing in the world,” the star told the outlet, adding that co-parenting has “been an interesting thing to navigate as a new parent.”

“There’s nothing I want to do more than just show you pictures and talk about him because he’s the best and the light of my life,” Slater continued. “But I also want to give him the opportunity to meet the world on his own terms… to meet the world in an analog way and not through my words.”

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In July 2023, PEOPLE learned that , 31, and her . The news of their relationship broke just days after PEOPLE confirmed that Grande had split from her then-husband, . That same month, Slater from Jay.

“. The truth is, Ariana and Ethan didn’t begin seeing each other until after both parties were separated, respectfully,” a source told PEOPLE in September 2023.

Slater supported the ” hitmaker following her second hosting gig on Oct. 12. He was seen attending an afterparty with Grande at neighboring New York City hotspot L’Avenue at Saks.

According to a source, the pair attended with Grande’s close friend and kept a low profile throughout the evening, avoiding the paparazzi outside.

Grande also recently showed her support for Slater at the opening night of Broadway’s . The singer was in the crowd at the St. James Theatre in N.Y.C. for the milestone performance of the Monty Python musical revival, supporting her boyfriend, who plays a variety of roles in the comedy.