How to Build Your Acting Career Without Neglecting Your Kids: Smart Tips for Actor-Parents
- Neil Mulac
- Jun 23
- 4 min read
Pursuing an on-camera acting career is demanding. Add young children to the mix, and the challenge multiplies. But the good news? It’s entirely possible to be a present, engaged parent while growing your acting career—if you approach both with smart strategies, realistic expectations, and a strong support system.
This post offers practical, up-to-date advice for actor-parents based on current industry practices and findings from modern psychology. Whether you're auditioning for indie films, co-star roles, or commercials, you’ll find tips here to help you thrive in both roles: parent and performer.
1. Accept That There’s No "Perfect Balance"
Modern parenting research has shifted away from the idea of perfect balance and toward something more realistic: integration. According to Harvard Business Review and contemporary parenting experts like Dr. Becky Kennedy, trying to "do it all" equally every day leads to burnout.
Instead, learn to prioritize what matters most today, knowing that other needs (like a callback, a school pickup, or a self-tape) can take precedence tomorrow. The flexibility actors develop through auditioning can be a major asset here.
Tip: Use a daily planner or app (like Notion, Sunsama, or TimeTree) to map out family and career obligations weekly, leaving space for unexpected auditions.
Further Reading: The Three Marriages by David Whyte
2. Be Strategic With Audition Submissions
Self-tapes have become the industry standard since the mid 2010s, and this actually favors parents. You don’t need to drive across town for every opportunity—you control the when and where of taping.
However, casting directors have noted that actors who submit for every single role often seem unfocused. Narrowing your submissions allows you to prepare stronger tapes and manage your parenting schedule more effectively.
Tip: Try often to submit only to roles that fit your current type and brand. A 2023 Backstage survey confirms that targeted submissions improve booking rates for working parents.
Further Reading: Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal
3. Schedule Self-Tapes During Kid Downtime
Self-tapes are flexible, but that doesn’t mean easy. You still need quiet, time, and focus. Try scheduling taping sessions during nap times, school hours, or with a babysitter's support.
Tip: Invest in a simple, portable self-tape setup. This allows for quick, professional taping in any room, which is crucial for actor-parents short on time:
Ring light or Panel light
Tripod with phone mount
Neutral background
Directional mic
4. Build a Trusted Support Network
One of the strongest predictors of well-being for working parents is reliable social support, according to a 2021 study in the Journal of Family Psychology. For actor-parents, this might mean a partner, co-parent, family member, neighbor, or another parent-actor.
You’ll need help with last-minute auditions, long shoot days, and travel. Proactively communicate your schedule and career goals with those around you.
Tip: Form a buddy system with another actor-parent(s). Trade childcare during auditions or co-tape each other’s self-tapes.
5. Communicate With Casting When Needed
Worried that you’ll lose the job if they know you’re a parent? Don't be. The culture is shifting. Many casting directors, producers, and directors are parents themselves.
If a callback conflicts with daycare hours, or you’re breastfeeding and need breaks on set, communicate clearly and respectfully. You don’t need to share your life story—just your boundaries.
Tip: Frame requests in a solution-oriented way:"I’m fully available for the callback, but I’ll need to bring my child and sitter—are there any guidelines for visitors?"
6. Set Realistic Career Milestones
You can absolutely succeed in acting as a parent—but your path may look different from someone with fewer responsibilities. That’s not failure—it’s strategy.
Define what success looks like in this season of life. It might be:
Submitting to 5 projects a month
Booking 3 paid gigs this year
Filming your own short film around your parenting schedule
Psychologist Dr. Laura Markham recommends adjusting expectations to reduce self-judgment and burnout, especially for working parents in demanding industries.
Further Reading: A Job to Love by The School of Life
7. Involve Your Kids in Your Journey
One of the most surprising pieces of advice from successful actor-parents? Let your kids in on the dream. Let them “help” you run lines, clap the slate (if that's part of your setup), or set up your tripod.
They’ll feel connected to what you do—and you’ll remind yourself why you’re pushing forward. Actor and mother Gabrielle Union has spoken about how involving her daughter helps her feel empowered rather than guilty.
Tip: Keep a fun “audition journal” or vision board where your child can help decorate milestones and goals.
8. Don’t Compare Your Journey
Comparison is the thief of joy—especially in acting. The single actor who booked five guest stars this year has a different life than you, and that's okay.
Instead of measuring success against someone else’s résumé, focus on your growth:
Are your tapes stronger this year than last?
Are you feeling more confident in callbacks?
Are you managing stress more effectively than six months ago?
Progress matters more than pace.
Being a parent doesn't disqualify you from building a thriving on-camera acting career—it gives you deeper life experience, empathy, and resilience. The key is working smarter, not harder:
Make use of self-tape flexibility
Set your own realistic milestones
Lean on trusted support
Communicate openly
Give yourself grace
You’re not alone. The entertainment industry is full of parents who have booked series regular roles, built production companies, and walked red carpets—with kids on their hips. You’re not behind. You’re just on a different path. And that’s powerful.
For more screen, stage, and voice-over acting tips and techniques, check out our other posts on The Intrepid Actor. And be sure to visit our website at Everything Cinema Productions to see how we can support your acting journey!
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