Having navigated the challenges of being a working parent for three years while employed remotely at Zapier, the author reflects on the complexities and emotional strain of balancing career and parenthood. Despite enjoying the benefits of flexible working hours and unlimited paid time off, the author describes the painful experience of pumping breast milk while working and the guilt of missing key moments in their children's lives due to work retreats. Drawing parallels to their own mother's work ethic, the author acknowledges the difficulty of reconciling professional ambitions with parental responsibilities. They emphasize the importance of structural policies that support caregivers, such as paid parental leave and flexible working conditions, while highlighting the need for a workplace culture that fosters psychological safety and authenticity. The author recounts the supportive environment at Zapier, where open discussions about the challenges of parenting and work are encouraged, ultimately expressing the desire to be honest about the inherent conflicts between these roles and the reality that one cannot always "have it all."