Would you quit working to stay home with your doodles? UPDATE!!!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Okay, now I think I have gone over the edge. I am needing some serious therapy! In this economy, I am considering leaving a job so that I can be home with my doods.

Well, that's not the whole story. The job is beyond stressful, I have an hour drive in traffic to and from work everyday. Yes, 2 hours a day in traffic. It's a government job with so many responsibilties that I can't be away from it for more than a day without something needing attention. I have to travel around the state for 1-2 nights at a time and often. DH is retired and wants to go off for the summer and travel in our little toy hauler trailer, I have my only grandson (18 months)moving from Florida to be here in Az with son and DIL in March and they could use some grandma babysitting, and I have sorely neglected my own physical health due to this job. But having said all that, I think missing my doodles so much just puts the last straw on the poor camels back.

Could we afford it? Let's just say we wouldn't starve and the dogs would still get Fromm dog food.

SO what's a doodle mom to do? Any words of wisdom DK'ers?

UPDATE:

Well, with much consideration and re-reading all of your posts and talking to DH and mom and kids, I handed in my resignation yesterday. I will be leaving Feb 18th and it appears it will be considered "Mission Critical" by the Bureau and they will try to fill my position ASAP.  On top of that my son is bringing his family to Arizona a month earlier, which gives me just 3 weeks to get ready for them to move in for a few months and toddler proof my house.  I started the Adventure Bootcamp on Tues and now workout 4 mornings a week and a girlfriend invited me to join her stroller exercise club so I can take my grandson with me too!  I have quilts lined up in my head that I plan to do and some for DK as well !

So, I want to thank everyone for helping me to make a very important decision and I can't tell you how happy you have made Murphy, Bella, DH and ME!!!! Thank you again. You are all the best!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If I could, I would...and I did. If you can, I say DO IT!!!!!!!!

 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I didn't quit to stay home with my doods, because I didn't have them when we left FL and moved here (with the intention of my not returning to work).  However, I would say that if I didn't have them I probably would have gone back to work, at least part-time, by now.    That being said, I can highly recommend it!  Life is short .... I say if you can swing it, do it!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Two of the wise ones speak first! Thank you ladies. It is so scary though isn't it?

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

It doesn't sound nearly as scary as working YOUR job sounds! LOL!

 

I'm at home too! I say, if you can do it, go for it and never look back!!  Once you've done it you will wonder why you waited so darn long!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Scary enough so that I still work part time. I also like the main part of my work but not the clerical/phone calls aspect. I think having some structure in my week is helpful too. IT is of corse a very individual decision. Is there any way you could work at something part time ?

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I actually was looking for a per diem Nursing job in Labor and Delivery or Mother/baby unit when this position came up.  It is beyond the most important job I have ever had and has all the stress an important job has to go with it. Believe it or not, there are nurses being laid off. In 20 years of nursing, I have never heard of not being able to find a job.

But you're right F. per diem is basically part time, and the kicker is that I would make as much working 2 shifts a week as a nurse than I do working 40+ hours a week (salary) . Did I say it was a government job? As in low pay, high hours and no thanks.

[F, Calla & Luca]

You've convinced me! Give up the government job, see how you feel. If you want to, I think nursing gives you options and I think you would find something.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Okay, Sue work the two nights a week and kick the government job. Leave the stress and the hours to someone else!

[Lynn D.]

Yeah, the "Nursing Shortage" is a myth. The economy has hit healthcare as well. Jobs don't "pop up" for nurses anymore.

 

I would make sure you have your Per Diem locked in (contract) before giving up your FTE.

 

[Donna K & Quincy]

I have just over a year left to work before I take a early retirement, early by my employers standards not mine. I have worked shift work for the last 34 years and if I could quit work tomorrow I would. My friends at work tell me I am going to miss it and that I should come back after I retire and do some shifts, I considered it for about 10 secs. I can't wait for my life to be my own and not have to live by someone elses schedule. If I find it financially difficult I will find a little part time job, my husband manages a nursery and garden center so that is always an option.  Only you know what's right for you, but I had a co-worked who could have retired but kept working three years longer because she wanted to get an extra 6% on her pension and was really not happy working. She died 1 year after she retired. Do what makes you happy now if you are in a position to do so, like Riki said you'll wonder why you waited so long.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Staying home with your doodles - yes that would be great.  Being available for grandma babysitting - even better!  I babysit three mornings a week for my four-month-old granddaughter and I'm loving it!  I bring her to my house so I can hardly wait until Kayla and Sedona can really interact!!!

[Dori & Rua]

I work at a cemetery.  Life is so short.  Based on what you have said, and if I were in your shoes, I would quit working in a heart beat.  As Nike says...."Just do it"!