---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was in high school, my parents had…"
description: "\"When I was in high school, my parents had this power over me - if I ever lied or got caught doing something that I shouldn't be doing, then I would no ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/113/dan-byrd-34873_acting_when-i-was-in-high-school-my-parents-had_914089.jpg"
---

#  When I was in high school, my parents had this power over…

![“When I was in high school, my parents had this power over me - if I ever lied or got caught doing something that I shouldn't be doing, then I would no longer be able to go to LA and continue to pursue the acting thing. So that was this sort of looming thing they could had over me that just sort of…” quote by Dan Byrd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/113/dan-byrd-34873_acting_when-i-was-in-high-school-my-parents-had_914089.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/113/dan-byrd-34873_acting_when-i-was-in-high-school-my-parents-had_914089.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/113/dan-byrd-34873_acting_when-i-was-in-high-school-my-parents-had_914089.jpg)

> “When I was in high school, my parents had this power over me - if I ever lied or got caught doing something that I shouldn't be doing, then I would no longer be able to go to LA and continue to pursue the acting thing. So that was this sort of looming thing they could had over me that just sort of really kept me in check throughout those formative years where you would typically be lying and doing bad stuff.”

[Dan Byrd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-byrd/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Parental authority in adolescence can enforce discipline and deter misbehavior.

**In simple terms:** Parents’ control kept teen behavior in check.

Key Takeaway

Use guidance wisely to shape responsible habits.

Themes

discipline parental influence adolescence behavioral control

Mood

thoughtful cautious

Type

educational psychological

When to use this quote

- school policies
- mentoring programs
- family counseling
- peer groups

Key Concepts

family dynamics socialization authority structures

Questions to Reflect On

- How can authority balance guidance with autonomy?
- What long‑term effects does strict oversight have?

A Different Perspective

Excessive control may stifle independence and creativity.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [High school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-school/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Parent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parent/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Parents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parents/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/)

## Related quotes

> [When I was in high school, my parents had this power over me - if I ever lied or got caught doing something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-byrd/when-i-was-in-high-school-my-parents-had-this-power-over-me-if-i-ever/)

[Dan Byrd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-byrd/)

> [When I was in high school, my parents had this power over me - if I ever lied or got caught doing something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-byrd/when-i-was-in-high-school-my-parents-had-this-power-over-me-if-i-ever-3/)

[Dan Byrd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-byrd/)

> [Because parents have power over children. They feel they have to do what their parents say. But the love of money is the root…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jackson/because-parents-have-power-over-children-they-feel-they-have-to-do/)

[Michael Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jackson/)

> [“You wouldn’t know what it’s like to grow up privileged and powerful. It’s intoxicating. Watching how people defer to you, and to your parents.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bryndza/you-wouldn-t-know-what-it-s-like-to-grow-up-privileged-and-powerful/)

[Robert Bryndza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bryndza/)

> [A happy childhood is one of the best gifts that parents have in their power to bestow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-cholmondeley/a-happy-childhood-is-one-of-the-best-gifts-that-parents-have-in-their/)

[Mary Cholmondeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-cholmondeley/)

> [Linda McMahon is a fierce advocate for restoring parents' power in the classroom and putting local communities back into a leadership position.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-britt/linda-mcmahon-is-a-fierce-advocate-for-restoring-parents-power-in-the/)

[Katie Britt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-britt/)

> [My nan and grandad were really important. They took me to school every day. I couldn't have gone to theatre school without them because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-fletcher/my-nan-and-grandad-were-really-important-they-took-me-to-school-every/)

[Tom Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-fletcher/)

> [Any place where you have to deal with many social actors like a school - you have the parents, the Ministry of Education, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-falardeau/any-place-where-you-have-to-deal-with-many-social-actors-like-a/)

[Philippe Falardeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-falardeau/)

> [There is an old saying that you're a product of your environment. Parents can only do so much when eight hours of the day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamer-hassan/there-is-an-old-saying-that-you-re-a-product-of-your-environment/)

[Tamer Hassan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamer-hassan/)

> [When I take my kid to school, all the parents stop and stare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-sandler/when-i-take-my-kid-to-school-all-the-parents-stop-and-stare/)

[Adam Sandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-sandler/)

> [I was good in science in school and parents thought I would become a school teacher like my mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-t-usha/i-was-good-in-science-in-school-and-parents-thought-i-would-become-a/)

[P. T. Usha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-t-usha/)

> [When I was ten, I caught glandular fever and had to have a year off school. My parents arranged for a tutor to keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-sebba/when-i-was-ten-i-caught-glandular-fever-and-had-to-have-a-year-off/)

[Anne Sebba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-sebba/)

> [If there is one thing educators can agree on, it's this: children do better in school when their parents get involved in their learning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bennett/if-there-is-one-thing-educators-can-agree-on-it-s-this-children-do/)

[William Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bennett/)

> [Both of my parents are pastors and educators. I went to the school that my parents taught in, so people expected more of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phaedra-parks/both-of-my-parents-are-pastors-and-educators-i-went-to-the-school/)

[Phaedra Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phaedra-parks/)

> [Once your kid reaches middle school, parents are really supposed to fade out of the social picture. Kids are supposed to make their own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/once-your-kid-reaches-middle-school-parents-are-really-supposed-to/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## More by Dan Byrd

> [I've heard this before from people: early 20s kind of screws with your head a little bit because you're transitioning into adulthood and actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-byrd/i-ve-heard-this-before-from-people-early-20s-kind-of-screws-with-your/)

[Dan Byrd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-byrd/)

> [When I was in high school, my parents had this power over me - if I ever lied or got caught doing something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-byrd/when-i-was-in-high-school-my-parents-had-this-power-over-me-if-i-ever/)

[Dan Byrd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-byrd/)

> [And as an actor, just working with someone as seasoned and professional and kind as Richard Jenkins, it's always a learning experience watching him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-byrd/and-as-an-actor-just-working-with-someone-as-seasoned-and/)

[Dan Byrd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-byrd/)

> [It's hard for me to listen to any actors whine or moan about anything acting-related because look at the world. We really have nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-byrd/it-s-hard-for-me-to-listen-to-any-actors-whine-or-moan-about-anything/)

[Dan Byrd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-byrd/)

> [The great thing about a name like 'Cougar Town' is that you hear it once and you remember it forever. It's a very 'loud'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-byrd/the-great-thing-about-a-name-like-cougar-town-is-that-you-hear-it/)

[Dan Byrd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-byrd/)

> [The more insight I get, the more scared I get of women in general.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-byrd/the-more-insight-i-get-the-more-scared-i-get-of-women-in-general/)

[Dan Byrd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-byrd/)

> [The only lie I really remember from my adolescence was when I was in sixth grade and I was dropped off with a couple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-byrd/the-only-lie-i-really-remember-from-my-adolescence-was-when-i-was-in/)

[Dan Byrd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-byrd/)

> [It wasn't like this happy-go-lucky experience, shooting Norman movie. It was something I kind of had to, sort of dedicate a certain level of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-byrd/it-wasn-t-like-this-happy-go-lucky-experience-shooting-norman-movie/)

[Dan Byrd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-byrd/)

> [I had a pretty untraditional high school experience. I've been acting since I was very young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-byrd/i-had-a-pretty-untraditional-high-school-experience-i-ve-been-acting/)

[Dan Byrd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-byrd/)

> [My only career strategy is to just not do anything that I have to be completely ashamed of afterwards! Whether it's TV or movies,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-byrd/my-only-career-strategy-is-to-just-not-do-anything-that-i-have-to-be/)

[Dan Byrd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-byrd/)

> [Just watching an actor in front you really provokes you in such a sudden, unexpected way. You can't ask for anything more from someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-byrd/just-watching-an-actor-in-front-you-really-provokes-you-in-such-a/)

[Dan Byrd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-byrd/)

> [When I was in high school, my parents had this power over me - if I ever lied or got caught doing something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-byrd/when-i-was-in-high-school-my-parents-had-this-power-over-me-if-i-ever-3/)

[Dan Byrd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-byrd/)

> [The fact that the movie's called Norman and I play Norman was just a weighted responsibility that I never experienced before. I just tried…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-byrd/the-fact-that-the-movie-s-called-norman-and-i-play-norman-was-just-a/)

[Dan Byrd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-byrd/)

[Explore all 14 Dan Byrd quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-byrd/)

## More Acting quotes

> [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/)

[Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/)

> [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/)

[Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/)

> [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/)

[Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/)

> [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/)

[Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/)

> [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/)

[Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/)

> [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/)

[Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/)

> [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/)

[Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/)

> [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/)

[Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/)

> [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/)

[Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/)

> [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/)

[Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/)

> [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/)

Ryan Newman

> [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/)

[Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/)

> [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/)

[Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/)

> [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/)

[Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/)

> [Poetry has, in a way, been my bridge to my acting career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/poetry-has-in-a-way-been-my-bridge-to-my-acting-career/)

[Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/)

[Browse all 12,062 Acting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "When I was in high school, my parents had this power over me - if I ever lied or got caught doing something that I shouldn't be doing, then I would no longer be able to go to LA and continue to pursue the acting thing. So that was this sort of looming thing they could had over me that just sort of really kept me in check throughout those formative years where you would typically be lying and doing bad stuff.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Dan Byrd"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-byrd/when-i-was-in-high-school-my-parents-had-this-power-over-me-if-i-ever-2/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Acting"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-byrd/when-i-was-in-high-school-my-parents-had-this-power-over-me-if-i-ever-2/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/113/dan-byrd-34873_acting_when-i-was-in-high-school-my-parents-had_914089.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/113/dan-byrd-34873_acting_when-i-was-in-high-school-my-parents-had_914089.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/113/dan-byrd-34873_acting_when-i-was-in-high-school-my-parents-had_914089.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“When I was in high school, my parents had this power over me - if I ever lied or got caught doing something…” — Dan Byrd",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Dan Byrd",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-byrd/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "When I was in high school,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-byrd/when-i-was-in-high-school-my-parents-had-this-power-over-me-if-i-ever-2/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-byrd/when-i-was-in-high-school-my-parents-had-this-power-over-me-if-i-ever-2/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
