--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When my second child was born, I gave up…" description: "\"When my second child was born, I gave up acting - two young children out on the road was too difficult to manage. I'd always written, but began to do s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f1/jenny-downham-3127_acting_when-my-second-child-was-born-i-gave-up_1846443.jpg" --- # When my second child was born, I gave up acting - two… ![“When my second child was born, I gave up acting - two young children out on the road was too difficult to manage. I'd always written, but began to do so with real commitment now that it was my only creative outlet. I used all my acting techniques to do it. I still do.” quote by Jenny Downham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f1/jenny-downham-3127_acting_when-my-second-child-was-born-i-gave-up_1846443.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f1/jenny-downham-3127_acting_when-my-second-child-was-born-i-gave-up_1846443.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f1/jenny-downham-3127_acting_when-my-second-child-was-born-i-gave-up_1846443.jpg) > “When my second child was born, I gave up acting - two young children out on the road was too difficult to manage. I'd always written, but began to do so with real commitment now that it was my only creative outlet. I used all my acting techniques to do it. I still do.” [Jenny Downham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-downham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Balancing parenthood and creative work forced a shift to writing, using acting skills to enhance storytelling. **In simple terms:** Parenthood changed creative focus to writing. Key Takeaway Adapt skills to new creative outlets. Themes parenthood creativity career change Mood determined reflective Type creative personal When to use this quote - writing a novel - managing family life - using performance techniques in prose Key Concepts skill transfer discipline Questions to Reflect On - How can you protect creative time as a parent? - What acting techniques help your writing? A Different Perspective Balancing responsibilities can limit creative time. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Acting Techniques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting-techniques-1372406/) [Acting Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting-young-592961/) [Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) [Began](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/began/) [Born](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/born/) [Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Commitment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commitment/) [Creative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creative/) [Creative outlet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creative-outlet/) [Difficult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult/) [Gave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gave/) [Gave Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gave-acting-766466/) [Manage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manage/) [Now](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/now/) [Only](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/only/) [Out](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/out/) [Outlet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outlet/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Road](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/road/) [Second](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/second/) [Second Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/second-child/) [Still](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/still/) [Techniques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/techniques/) [Too](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) [Up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/up/) [Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used/) [Used Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used-acting-539487/) [Written](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/written/) [Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young/) [Young children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-children/) ## Related quotes > [You used to be my everything. Now, you're acting like our something was nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ericson-grey/you-used-to-be-my-everything-now-you-re-acting-like-our-something-was/) [Ericson Grey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ericson-grey/) > [A man who is used to acting in one way never changes; he must come to ruin when the times, in changing, no longer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-man-who-is-used-to-acting-in-one-way-never-changes-he-must-come-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In my early days, I used to go to many acting gurus, Asha Chandra and Roshan Taneja being two of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chunky-pandey/in-my-early-days-i-used-to-go-to-many-acting-gurus-asha-chandra-and/) [Chunky Pandey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chunky-pandey/) > [I used to take acting so seriously, but after we did the Quest pilot and the show sold, Kurt Russel said, "You know, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-matheson/i-used-to-take-acting-so-seriously-but-after-we-did-the-quest-pilot/) [Tim Matheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-matheson/) > [A lot of acting techniques are very self-oriented.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-deavere-smith/a-lot-of-acting-techniques-are-very-self-oriented/) [Anna Deavere Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-deavere-smith/) > [Having a guy on a microphone yelling lines at you is counter to a lot of acting techniques.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-mckay/having-a-guy-on-a-microphone-yelling-lines-at-you-is-counter-to-a-lot/) [Adam McKay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-mckay/) > [There is an art to acting, and there are techniques that are acquired. You can be as emotional as you'd like, as a person,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-bell/there-is-an-art-to-acting-and-there-are-techniques-that-are-acquired/) [Zoe Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-bell/) > [Everyone seems to think they know what acting techniques are. Techniques just help you get to a certain place, but if the thing is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-gere/everyone-seems-to-think-they-know-what-acting-techniques-are/) [Richard Gere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-gere/) > [In retrospect, I've become wise in playing my roles in terms of acting techniques. But looking at my old performances when I was young…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hyun-bin/in-retrospect-i-ve-become-wise-in-playing-my-roles-in-terms-of-acting/) [Hyun Bin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hyun-bin/) > [As a producer, I have the luxury of coming and going according to my convenience. As a director I cannot do that. I gave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saira-banu/as-a-producer-i-have-the-luxury-of-coming-and-going-according-to-my/) [Saira Banu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saira-banu/) > [Campaigning and acting aren't compatible. That's why Audrey Hepburn gave up acting. That's why Angelina Jolie will give up. I'm not ready to stop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-cotillard/campaigning-and-acting-aren-t-compatible-that-s-why-audrey-hepburn/) [Marion Cotillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-cotillard/) > [I did an internship in the Silicon Valley during the Internet boom. I couldn't imagine sitting in a cubicle the rest of my life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-chon/i-did-an-internship-in-the-silicon-valley-during-the-internet-boom-i/) [Justin Chon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-chon/) > [I was an actor when I was a teenager and it could have been the direction that I headed in. But music and my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-kravitz/i-was-an-actor-when-i-was-a-teenager-and-it-could-have-been-the/) [Lenny Kravitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-kravitz/) > [I didn't go to acting school, so it was great to be able to rehearse for a month or two, to workshop, and be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-gainsbourg/i-didn-t-go-to-acting-school-so-it-was-great-to-be-able-to-rehearse/) [Charlotte Gainsbourg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-gainsbourg/) > [I gave up acting while I just pursued my music career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-walters/i-gave-up-acting-while-i-just-pursued-my-music-career/) [Ashley Walters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-walters/) ## More by Jenny Downham > [“We'll kill him on the green with a five iron.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-downham/we-ll-kill-him-on-the-green-with-a-five-iron/) [Jenny Downham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-downham/) > [“Sklupčam se u podnožju stubišta. To je mjesto gdje mačka sjedi kad hoće da se ljudi spotaknu preko nje. Uvijek sam htjela biti mačka.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-downham/sklup-am-se-u-podno-ju-stubi-ta-to-je-mjesto-gdje-ma-ka-sjedi-kad-ho/) [Jenny Downham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-downham/) > [It's as if a child with a brush and too much enthusiasm has been set free with a tin of black paint inside me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-downham/it-s-as-if-a-child-with-a-brush-and-too-much-enthusiasm-has-been-set/) [Jenny Downham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-downham/) > [It was strange how words meant something when they came out of your mouth. Inside your head they were safe and silent, but once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-downham/it-was-strange-how-words-meant-something-when-they-came-out-of-your/) [Jenny Downham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-downham/) > [“I sit up in bed and watch her fiddle about in the back of my wardrobe. I think she's got a plan. That's what's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-downham/i-sit-up-in-bed-and-watch-her-fiddle-about-in-the-back-of-my-wardrobe/) [Jenny Downham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-downham/) > [“I wish I had a boyfriend. I wish he lived in the wardrobe on a coat hanger. Whenever I wanted, I could get him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-downham/i-wish-i-had-a-boyfriend-i-wish-he-lived-in-the-wardrobe-on-a-coat/) [Jenny Downham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-downham/) > [Life is made up of a series of moments, each one a journey to the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-downham/life-is-made-up-of-a-series-of-moments-each-one-a-journey-to-the-end/) [Jenny Downham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-downham/) > [All I know is that I have two choices – stay wrapped in blankets and get on with dying, or get the list back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-downham/all-i-know-is-that-i-have-two-choices-stay-wrapped-in-blankets-and/) [Jenny Downham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-downham/) > [We make patterns, we share moments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-downham/we-make-patterns-we-share-moments/) [Jenny Downham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-downham/) > [Are you afraid, Tessa?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-downham/are-you-afraid-tessa/) [Jenny Downham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-downham/) > [“Hey, listen,' I say. " Fascinating as this is, we've got to go now. I have to collect the invites for my funeral." That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-downham/hey-listen-i-say-fascinating-as-this-is-we-ve-got-to-go-now-i-have-to/) [Jenny Downham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-downham/) > [“Zatvaram oči i zamišljam da sam drvo okupano sunčevim svjetlom, da ne želim ništa osim kiše.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-downham/zatvaram-o-i-i-zami-ljam-da-sam-drvo-okupano-sun-evim-svjetlom-da-ne/) [Jenny Downham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-downham/) > [It hurts and hurts to have him this close. I feel sick with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-downham/it-hurts-and-hurts-to-have-him-this-close-i-feel-sick-with-it/) [Jenny Downham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-downham/) > [Every breath, every heartbeat, was one less until maybe things stopped hurting this much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-downham/every-breath-every-heartbeat-was-one-less-until-maybe-things-stopped/) [Jenny Downham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-downham/) > [Keep breathing. Just keep doing it. It's easy. In and out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-downham/keep-breathing-just-keep-doing-it-it-s-easy-in-and-out/) [Jenny Downham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-downham/) [Explore all 133 Jenny Downham quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-downham/) ## 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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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 my second child was born, I gave up acting - two young children out on the road was too difficult to manage. I'd always written, but began to do so with real commitment now that it was my only creative outlet. I used all my acting techniques to do it. 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