I wish I could stay home for a year

[Anonymous]

We ALL need a break. Why is your situation so different than anyone else?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We ALL need a break. Why is your situation so different than anyone else?

I'm not the OP but took a new career path about 5 years ago. It's very lucrative and I've saved a lot. However, given the demands of the job, I have a chronic health condition that is out of control and I've ended up in the ER 3 times in the last 18 months.

I've realized that I cannot do this job and care for my health. Yet don't have the courage (yet) to leave.

[Anonymous]

I say go for it OP. You can never get this time back with your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We ALL need a break. Why is your situation so different than anyone else?

I'm not the OP but took a new career path about 5 years ago. It's very lucrative and I've saved a lot. However, given the demands of the job, I have a chronic health condition that is out of control and I've ended up in the ER 3 times in the last 18 months.

I've realized that I cannot do this job and care for my health. Yet don't have the courage (yet) to leave.

Yes, the point is every single person has some issues we have to work through. Mental, physical, family...etc. we all do including you and I.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We ALL need a break. Why is your situation so different than anyone else?

I don't believe I ever implied that it was.

--OP

[Anonymous]

I see no reason not to do it, OP. Wishing you luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We ALL need a break. Why is your situation so different than anyone else?

She has a paid off mortgage making it very much a possibility. Most people don't have that

[Anonymous]

OP here and I just wanted to say thank you. This has been a pretty positive thread, and I appreciate the support.

[Anonymous]

OP, I can relate to how you are feeling. It’s been crazy for us as well and we have long commutes too. It sounds like you will be fine financially if you take a break esp since you have no mortgage and your insurance is already covered by DH. My only suggestion is that you should keep your younger child in daycare so that you can truly get a break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I can relate to how you are feeling. It’s been crazy for us as well and we have long commutes too. It sounds like you will be fine financially if you take a break esp since you have no mortgage and your insurance is already covered by DH. My only suggestion is that you should keep your younger child in daycare so that you can truly get a break.

Thank you! We actually have a nanny because my younger child has had health issues. He is doing better now, and we have been planning to transition him to daycare in a few months. However, if I were to stay home, I would keep him home with me. He is enrolled in a preschool two mornings per week, and next fall it will be 3 mornings per week. Between that and gym daycare, I would get the time I need (and I could supplement with a babysitter as needed). Part of what I want is more time with my kids. Within the past year, I lost my mother, my grandmother, and my stepsister. It has made me confront how very short life is, and how I have a limited amount of time with my children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We ALL need a break. Why is your situation so different than anyone else?

I'm not the OP but took a new career path about 5 years ago. It's very lucrative and I've saved a lot. However, given the demands of the job, I have a chronic health condition that is out of control and I've ended up in the ER 3 times in the last 18 months.

I've realized that I cannot do this job and care for my health. Yet don't have the courage (yet) to leave.

Yes, the point is every single person has some issues we have to work through. Mental, physical, family...etc. we all do including you and I.

You have no idea how OP health issues impact her. You don't get it. I had to stop working because of health issues. No doctor can seem to get it under control. Its not for lack of trying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I can relate to how you are feeling. It’s been crazy for us as well and we have long commutes too. It sounds like you will be fine financially if you take a break esp since you have no mortgage and your insurance is already covered by DH. My only suggestion is that you should keep your younger child in daycare so that you can truly get a break.

Thank you! We actually have a nanny because my younger child has had health issues. He is doing better now, and we have been planning to transition him to daycare in a few months. However, if I were to stay home, I would keep him home with me. He is enrolled in a preschool two mornings per week, and next fall it will be 3 mornings per week. Between that and gym daycare, I would get the time I need (and I could supplement with a babysitter as needed). Part of what I want is more time with my kids. Within the past year, I lost my mother, my grandmother, and my stepsister. It has made me confront how very short life is, and how I have a limited amount of time with my children.

OP, staying home is one of the best choices I made. No regrets. Do what is best for you! Time with your kids is priceless. You have no mortgage so you can comfortably live off your husband's income.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We ALL need a break. Why is your situation so different than anyone else?

Of course we all need a break. But there are times when a week at a beach can reset and refocus things, and then there are times of a much larger and complex sense of dread and deadness where big changes — like leaving a job altogether — are needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We ALL need a break. Why is your situation so different than anyone else?

For one thing, she can afford to take that break.

[Anonymous]

If you truly love your job, and you feel that you spend enough time with your kids, I would not recommend quitting. You should take some of the other posters’ suggestions such as:

- Taking more flexibility at work. Who cares if it’s not “company culture” to WFH - you can change it! I did that with my team and they accepted it because they didn’t want to lose me. It doesn’t have to be a big announcement - just gradually start WFH 1x a week, slowly increase to 2x, etc. Similarly, start taking 1.5 hour lunches so you can have a proper workout. Block off your calendar.

- Outsource everything possible. Pay your nanny extra to cook and organize if she is able to. Pay her for an extra hour each day so you can work out right before you go to work or right after you get home (assuming you can’t during the work day)

OTOH, if you don’t love your job, or you feel your kids are getting shortchanged, then quit. But for something as simple as not having time to cook/work out, there are solutions.