Parenthood and Acting: Can You Really Do Both?

A lot of actors ask me how I juggle motherhood with acting. Usually, they’re about to become parents or are seriously thinking about it, and there’s often fear in their eyes. Fear that their career will end, or that it’ll never recover. I get it. I’ve been there.

I can only speak from my own experience, and of course, everyone’s circumstances are different—but for me, it was actually wonderful.

When I found out I was pregnant, I nervously called my agent to let her know that once the baby was born, I’d like to take some time off. I wasn’t sure how she’d react. Would she support that choice? Or would she drop me? I now laugh at myself for even entertaining those thoughts—she was incredibly supportive. She told me to take as much time as I needed.

During my pregnancy, I actually got cast in a few things. It was fun watching the wardrobe department try to hide my growing belly. But when I got really big, the jobs naturally slowed down, which was expected. I kind of surrendered to the idea that it might be years before I’d be back on a film or TV set. I made peace with that.

I was fully content stepping into the role of a mother. It was strange—I could imagine it, but it still felt abstract. Then my daughter was born, and my heart tore open. The amount of love I felt was overwhelming—so much so, it was hard to breathe. Suddenly, I had empathy for every child on this earth.

I couldn’t watch any movies where a child was hurt. I became extremely sensitive.
And that sensitivity? It turned out to be gold for my acting.

Tapping into deep emotion became easier. Playing a mother became natural. I’d played moms before becoming one, and now I laugh at some of my acting choices back then, because now, it all makes sense.

Let me go back to that decision to take time off from auditioning, to learn how to be a mom. A few months in, when my husband and I were just starting to get the hang of things, I got a call from my agent.

"Natalia, I know you wanted a break….but there’s this part I think you’d be perfect for. It’s a proper role on a very cool show."

I decided to go for it. Put myself on tape. Got a callback. Landed the part.

I still remember the callback—I was so chill. I had zero desperation. I genuinely felt like, if I don’t book this, it’s totally fine. I’m happy at home with my baby.

But I booked it. And honestly? I think my daughter became my secret weapon. There’s this effortless charisma that came after she was born—I don’t think I had it before. And it’s stayed with me.

I’ve been working consistently (in my opinion) ever since.

Of course, it’s not easy. You need a rock-solid support system. The biggest decision you’ll ever make isn’t whether to have a baby, but who you have it with. That person will be in your life forever. They will either lift you up or drag you down.

I was lucky. I made a wise decision. My husband is the most supportive partner I’ve ever known. We co-parent equally, so when I’m away working, I don’t stress—he knows how to care for our daughter, probably better than I do!

We get help from our families when they visit from Poland and Italy. And yes, we spend a brutal amount of money on nursery costs. But somehow, we manage to keep it all going.

It’s exhausting. But it’s doable.

Production companies are getting better about accommodating families. Some even offer to fly and house your family with you. I never take them up on it, because it would disrupt my daughter’s routine, and my husband still needs to work at his job.

So here’s my point:
Having a family is not the end of your career.

This thing we do—acting—it’s a lifelong commitment. It’s not just for this year or next. It’s for as long as you breathe. So if you want to take time off—even years—to have a family and focus on that, do it.

It will enrich your soul.

So when that next part comes along, you don’t have to search for the feelings.
You’ll know what they are.

Sending you a big motherly hug,

Natalia