In this guest article on Fairygodboss, the author shares their experiences and insights from taking parental leave from their role as EVP of People at Heap, emphasizing the company's supportive policies for new parents. Since returning, the author has witnessed significant changes at Heap, including a new CEO and an influx of over 50 new team members, while appreciating the company's generous four-month maternity leave, flexible virtual-first working model, and a stipend for expenses like food delivery and childcare. The author provides advice for working parents preparing for parental leave, such as preparing an offboarding plan, deciding on communication preferences during leave, intentionally reboarding upon return, and maintaining open communication with managers. The article underscores the importance of supportive workplace policies and offers practical tips for parents navigating parental leave and reentry into the workforce.