The Crossroads: A Pivotal Career Moment
Taylor had always been career-driven, excelling in his role at a hybrid company. But when he and his wife became parents, the delicate balance of two working professionals managing childcare quickly became a daily challenge.
He asked for what he thought was a reasonable adjustment—flexible hours to better coordinate with his wife. But instead of meeting him halfway, his company refused to accommodate any changes.
"I needed more flexibility to balance work and co-parenting, but my company wasn’t willing to budge. In the end, they let me go."
Losing his job wasn’t just a financial hit—it was an emotional one.
"Going through a layoff is tremendously stressful. It shook up my identity with work and my self-worth. I struggled internally to balance my work ambitions with the reality of full-time co-parenting."
For the first time in his career, he wasn’t just thinking about job titles or career trajectories. He was thinking about daycare drop-offs, pediatrician appointments, and figuring out how to be present as a dad while still staying engaged in his profession.
Instead of jumping back into another rigid role, Taylor made a different choice.
"I took the same role, but this time with a fully remote company. It has completely changed my ability to be a present parent while still excelling at work."
The Challenges: Redefining Work, Identity, and Motivation
The shift to remote work solved some logistical problems, but it didn’t make everything easy.
- Losing His Job & Self-Worth
"Layoffs hit hard. I went from feeling like a valuable team member to suddenly questioning everything—was I not good enough? Did I make a mistake asking for more flexibility?" - Balancing Career Ambition & Parenting
Taylor had spent years climbing the career ladder, but now his priorities were shifting. He wrestled with the tension between wanting to be a fully engaged dad and still pursuing professional success.
"I still very much mentally struggle with the tradeoff in motivations. I want to grow in my career, but I also want to be there for my family in ways I never considered before."
- Adjusting to a New Work Structure
Working remotely came with unexpected adjustments. No commute meant more time with his family, but it also meant blurred lines between work and home life.
"Some days I feel like I should be doing more at work, other days I feel like I should be doing more at home. It’s a constant mental game of trying to be present in both worlds."
What Worked: Finding Stability in the Chaos
- Journaling & Reflection
"I started journaling just to get my thoughts out of my head. Writing down my worries, frustrations, and small wins helped me process everything." - Frequent Check-ins with His Partner
"Talking with my wife daily about how we were balancing things made a huge difference. We made small adjustments all the time to keep things working." - Therapy & Community
"Therapy helped me reframe my self-worth beyond just my job. And my parent group was a game-changer—just knowing other dads were struggling with the same things made me feel less alone."
Advice for Other Parents—Especially Dads—Considering a Similar Path
- Frequent Communication is Key
"You can’t just assume your partner knows how you’re feeling. Talk about what’s working and what’s not, and be open about your struggles." - Use Journaling to Work Through Your Thoughts
"Even if you don’t consider yourself a ‘journaler,’ writing things down can help you see patterns in your stress and problem-solve more effectively." - Therapy Can Be a Powerful Tool
"Sometimes, you just need an outside perspective to help you work through identity shifts and career challenges."
Taylor’s Both& Moment
Taylor’s journey reflects what so many working parents—especially dads—are grappling with:
- He wanted to be both a present father and a successful professional.
- He had to navigate both career setbacks and personal growth.
- He found support in both his professional network and his parenting community.
Taylor’s story is a reminder that advocating for flexibility isn’t just a “working mom” issue. More dads are stepping up, wanting to be actively involved parents while still advancing in their careers. His journey shows that even when companies fail to adapt, there are better opportunities out there—and that being a great dad and having a great career don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
