I’m not going to go into details, but last Thursday I was laid off from work. I am receiving some sort of severance package (I’ll find out what that is sometime this morning). I presume I’ll be able to file for unemployment. Yes, I’m going to try and find another job.
But.
And it’s a big but.
In the meantime, presuming I won’t be able to find a job any time soon since our market has been flooded with layoffs over the past several months, I’m going to take a shot at being a stay-at-home mom. Today is my first day. On Friday I told daycare that the kids would not be coming back, effective immediately, due to being laid off. CootieBoy and I will have the whole morning and first part of the afternoon together, and then when CootieGirl is done with school we’ll pick her up and bring her home for the rest of the afternoon.
Financially, becoming a single-income household is a major blow and I’ll admit we were NOT prepared in any way for this to happen. But we’ve gone through everything with a fine tooth comb and believe that we can do this if we’re really diligent about every penny that comes into our possession.
Once CB enters kindergarten in the fall, I hope to get a part-time job during school hours so that I can still be home with the kids in the afternoon. So if we can just make it to August, we’ll be fine.
I’ve wanted to be a SAHM for a long time, but I always envisioned that we’d have more debt paid off and a bit more money in savings. But obviously God had other plans. So pray for us. Pray for guidance, wisdom, and the fortitude to see this through. And pray that if I’m meant to find another job that it be obvious not only to me when I see the job listing, but obvious to the HR person who sees my resume when it crosses his or her desk.
I’m so sorry about the surprise layoff, but will pray for you all for clear guidance and peace. I guess it’s clear now why Mr. BIL wanted you to teach the software package to someone else.
I am so very proud of you for taking this step! You are in for a wild ride with many twists, turns, ups and downs, but one that you won’t regret. I don’t think there are many stay at home moms who, looking back, said they wished they hadn’t done it. You will be investing in the future of your precious children in ways that money can’t provide. God is going to honor your commitment. May you treasure each and every day with your children ~ they grow up way too fast. ILY
Jaynee – I am so sorry to hear such bad news. I will keep all of you in my prayers. Enjoy being a SAHM! As your mom said, they do grow up too fast and the years go by quickly.
That stinks.. so sorry about the layoff. If anyone can make it work out – it’s you.
You know that I’m happy to hear this. I think you will love being at home and God will provide for you in ways you can’t even imagine. He will honor your decision…Enjoy!
I was laid off right after the twins turned one. It was the most panicked I’ve ever been. We we’re down to 1/2 income since my wife works part time and she couldn’t go back to full time if she ever wanted the part time again.
So we stopped spending money on anything that wasn’t mandatory. Lock down.
A couple potential income sources to remember during this time is you might be getting an income tax return (if so file ASAP) and you might get a stimulus check this summer.
Also, make sure to keep in close contact with everybody else who got laid off. I ended up getting my next job 7 weeks later because one of the managers (of a different dept. than I was in) landed at a company and looked to hire a few people he could trust.
Also, enjoy the time with the kids. I blew that during my couple months of panic. I really wish that I would have spent more time playing with them.
Thanks, Mike. Unfortunately, I was the only one laid off at my small company. However, 3-4 folks that are still there asked for my resume so they could shop it around for me.
I’ve spent most of my morning making calls to reduce our monthly expenses and we’ve come up with a budget. Unfortunately, that budget was dependent on a few important factors – one of which is kind of falling apart right now as I type. So we’re still panicking because if this falls through, then we CAN’T make it – even if we cut absolutely EVERYTHING out that isn’t home, food, and clothing. Very scary.
The good news is that unemployment pays “ok”…and for several months. So you’ll have some income coming in for at least 6 months or however long the current unemployment benefits are in effect.
Sue – our budget that we came up with included unemployment benefits.
Man, that stinks. My mom works at a law firm in North Ga and they’re laying people off too…
These are scary times.
I’m so sorry about the layoff! But congratulations on your new SAHM job. Over the years we’ve made so many financial sacrifices for me to hold that job, but I’ll never be sorry. Big hugs, friend.
So sorry to hear about the layoff… my husband was laid off unexpectedly when our 2nd child was 3 weeks old. I work part time on a contract basis and was not returning to work for another 2 1/2 months (and no pay for 3 1/2 months). We were totally panicked for a while… I hope that your new job as a SAHM is one that works well for you (financially and otherwise)!
Jaynee – I think this may be the first time I’ve commented, but I’ve been reading for a long time. I’m so sorry to hear about this, but I’m I’ve been impressed with your ability to pay off as much debt as you have, and I’m glad that you started doing that before now, so that’s a little less to have to worry about.
Good luck staying at home with the kids, my mom always worked, but when I was in high school she started working from home and it was so fantastic to have her around more often, I wish she had been able to do it even earlier.
Jenn – thanks for the kind words of encouragement! We’re hopeful that all will work out in the end. We’ve been through a couple layoffs in the past and have made it through – we’ll make it through this one, too.