Rachel McAdams and her longtime partner, Jamie Linden, are raising their children out of the spotlight

Rachel McAdams may be one of the most famous actresses of her generation, but she keeps her kids almost entirely out of the spotlight.

The Notebook star was first romantically linked to Jamie Linden in 2016, and they started a family a few years later. The couple welcomed their son in 2018 and their daughter in 2020, but have yet to reveal their kids’ names or share photos of them.

According to McAdams’ April 2023 interview with Bustle, the family enjoys a quiet life in the South, far from the chaos of Hollywood.

“We live sort of out in the country, a little farm down the road, so we can go and look at the animals,” the actress revealed during the April 2020 virtual event, Heroes of Health: COVID-19 Stream-a-thon.

Privacy is a priority for McAdams when it comes to her children. While speaking with The Sunday Times in November 2018, she explained that she wanted to keep her son off social media and out of the public eye. “I want to keep his life private, even if mine isn’t,” she said.

From their personalities to their favorite activities, here’s everything to know about Rachel McAdams’ kids.

McAdams said welcoming her son was “the greatest thing that’s happened”

Rachel McAdams attends the 68th annual Directors Guild of America Awards on February 6, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.ASON LAVERIS/FILMMAGIC

After giving birth to her son earlier in 2018, Rachel chatted about motherhood with The Sunday Times in November that year. According to the actress, she was ready for motherhood after pursuing her passions.

She shared, “It’s the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me, hands down. [People say] your life is not your own any more. But I had 39 years of me, I was sick of me, I was so happy to put the focus on some other person. I waited a long time [for motherhood].”

The Spotlight star added that being a mom is more fun than she’s ever had before.

“Everything about it is interesting and exciting and inspiring to me,” she told the newspaper. “Even the tough days — there’s something delightful about them.”

McAdams brought her son to set in Iceland

Rachel McAdams at the Variety Makeup Artistry Dinner with Armani Beauty on February 4, 2020.KATIE JONES/VARIETY/PENSKE MEDIA VIA GETTY

When McAdams returned to work after welcoming her son, he accompanied her when was “almost 2.” They traveled to Iceland, where she filmed the Netflix movie, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, inspired by the real-life singing competition show.

“He’ll never remember any of it, but I feel like somehow that might stick to his soul and his personality a little bit, so it was great to get to travel,” McAdams told Entertainment Tonight in June 2020.

She added, “We’ve been cuddled up for so long together that it was wonderful to go out into the world and get to work at the same time. I felt really lucky to be able to do that.”

McAdams was surprised to find out she was having a girl

While talking to PEOPLE in November 2023, McAdams discussed what it meant to her to have a daughter three years prior.

“I was so excited to have a girl,” she recalled. “I didn’t even realize it until I found out I was having a girl. I assumed I was having a boy. As soon as I found out I was having a girl, I didn’t realize how happy I would be.”

The actress shared that she might’ve been “secretly yearning” for the chance to have a girl without realizing. She called parenting a daughter a “gift” but acknowledged that it comes with certain challenges and fears.

McAdams told PEOPLE, “I think it’s all getting a lot better, and there’s room to grow.”

McAdams made Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret for her daughter

Rachel McAdams attends the “Are You There God It’s Me, Margaret.” Los Angeles premiere on April 15, 2023.AMANDA EDWARDS/GETTY

When McAdams played a mother in the film adaptation of Judy Blume’s novel Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, she felt personally connected to the story. The movie follows an 11-year-old girl who moves to a new town, struggles with puberty and leans on her mother for support.

In November 2023, McAdams told PEOPLE, “I was a very fresh second-time mom when we shot this. I remember thinking, ‘I would love this to be in the world for her one day,’ because it’s hard for parents and kids to talk about stuff. That’s never going to go away.”

She emphasized that the significant age gap always makes certain aspects of the parent-child relationship difficult.

“They have no idea what it’s like to be you and you’re fumbling in the dark,” McAdams explained. “I feel like movies are a really gentle way to spark conversation. I feel like this is one of those and I just wanted to put that out there for her one day.”

According to her April 2023 Bustle profile, McAdams visited Blume’s Florida bookstore to pick up a copy of Margaret for her daughter and Blume’s picture book, Good Night Florida Keys, for both of her kids.

McAdams describes her son as “entertaining”

Although McAdams hasn’t shared too many details about her son, she complimented him during the April 2020 virtual event, Heroes of Health: COVID-19 Stream-a-thon. She credited him with making the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown a little less heavy.

“He’s so entertaining,” she said. “I thought, ‘Would I rather be alone in quarantine, or with my family?’ There are days, sure, but I would be so bored without him around to make it so fun.”

She also told a sweet story about him while speaking with Access Hollywood in April 2023.

“My son said the other day that he wants to be a writer like his daddy, which was so cute,” McAdams said. “And then he said, ‘The first book I’m gonna write is gonna be called My Cozy, Cozy Bed.’ ”

McAdams loves spending quality time with her kids

Rachel McAdams attends the 2023 Gotham Awards on November 27, 2023 in New York City.TAYLOR HILL/FILMMAGIC

McAdams enjoys all the simple things with her children. During her April 2023 interview with Bustle, she shared that riding around her neighborhood with her kids is one of her favorite activities.

“All my bikes have baby seats,” the actress told the outlet.

When she caught up with Access Hollywood at the Margaret premiere in April 2023, the Mean Girls alum was asked about her favorite part of being a mom.

“I love just going to brunch with the kiddos and getting to hang out with them,” she shared. “I just love the crazy things they say! I’m just always, like, ‘Remember to write that down.’ ”

She believes parenting is a “privilege”

The actress opened up about parenting while chatting with ​​PEOPLE at the Los Angeles premiere of Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret in April 2023.

“As a mom, it’s not too, too hard to find the messiness, the privilege of getting to watch a child grow up and be their parent,” McAdams reflected.

She added, “I think that’s a really lucky place, a spot to be in.”