HELP!! Decisions, Decisions......

What do you want to set as an example for those wonderful young ladies? Break the law if it is convenient?
Their uncle as a scoff law?
Hit the job market.
best, k

First and foremost, stop ALL spending that is nonessential and start putting away as much as you can. Seriously- review your cell phone packages, cable, internet, nails, hair... all of it! Are your daughters old enough to work and start saving and purchasing their own "want" items?

Second, yes I would watch the baby with the understanding that your brother will need to find childcare quickly if you have a job offer. You need to pay your bills, so any income is better than none at all.

I don't see why this is a decision. You can continue to send out resumes and job-hunt while watching a baby, especially if your brother is flexible if you are asked to interview. In this case, it's not a matter of "if" you can do both at the same time- frankly, you "must" do both.

If you can't pay the mortgage and your monthly bills, you are going to find yourself in a very bad spot very quickly.

I would watch the child as you continue your job search, but I would do it the legal way.

And take Krista's advice as well.

First, take a DEEP BREATH and know that everything will work out. Honestly, if I could stay at home and keep my niece while getting my unemployment check I would go for it. You will probably never get that time with your niece otherwise. You will also get to see your brother more often and build a better relationship with him. You will get to spend the time off with your daughters for the summer. There are so many pro's. Con's what about health insurance? I would at least take the summer off to take a breather, relax with the family and regroup if I were you.

I wish you the best of luck!

Watching you niece sounds the perfect solution to your problem. You already know that finding another position isn't going to be that easy and chances are that it will take quite a bit of time. Watching your niece will give you the opportunity to earn some extra income, while you can still continue to look for employment.

Take a good look at your budget and any extras (dinner out, stopping for coffee in the morning, entertainment, etc). Decide where you can make cutbacks. Start saving some money each week.

Good luck.

I would look for work and watch the baby. The baby will help you through days when full-time job searching is completely depressing and it will be some income to you. It will also mean your brother and sister-in-law will be comfortable knowing they fully trust their caregiver, and because you are family, even if it is a temporary child care arrangement, it will be easier on the baby--if/when you can't watch her full-time anymore, you will not be just another person she won't see again (which is very hard on infants and toddlers) but a family member she will continue to have a positive relationship with.

This would also be a good time to start budgetting based on what you think you might get for unemployment. Cut back any unnecessary expenses or bills, start shopping as frugally as you can, and see if you can stash some savings away between now and when you lose your job. If you can keep a bit in savings as a buffer you will be able to scrape by a little more easily. If you are the one who gets the health insurance, start looking into state options for your kids now, too, and see if you can start the application process since you are losing your job.

Speaking from experience that I will not post here, I would watch your niece and at the same time keep looking for a full time job. You don't want your brother or SIL to be in your situation and then they do not need you to watch their daughter. When searching for a job, don't expect top pay. You are much better off letting them decide how much they will pay you based on experience. Unemployment does not pay much, so take what you can get.

I wish you the best!

Keep actively looking as a large percent of employers will only hire people who are currently employed. If May rolls around and no job I would watch the baby. Sounds to me your bro is really flexible, and trying to help you. You got more positive than negative compared to others who will laid-off. Sieze the moment and make as much as you can. Sorry about the downsizing. I would have given my right arm if I got the offer your bro is giving you. Instead I was unemployed for a year and a half with no one reaching out! Good luck.

First, give yourself a break. It's tough out there and this is all part of the new "normal" we are all struggling with. You are a great employee and very successful or you wouldn't be at your pay level. I work full time and I have seen a number of excellent managers get laid off because they are highest paid and very good at what they do. It might save the company money now but in the long run, it usually costs the company because you can't always get the job done with a less expensive employee or even putting the work load on their already skeleton crew.

You could watch the baby AND look for a new job. Watching the baby will give you the time (and money) to find a job that you really want. Plus, you will really treasure this time with your neice and remember it well. Don't take yourself out of the game. Keep the resumes out there and take your brother up on the flexibility so you can interview. In fact, you might consider volunteering at an organization just to network while you are still interviewing. The longer you are unemployed, employers will tell you the less they want to hire you.

The best thing to do is stay positive. Know you are in exactly the place you are supposed to be. I know it's easier said than done but you leaving this job may very well lead to something bigger and better. That's why they call it a blessing in disguise. The disguise is VERY GOOD! That's exactly what happened to me. Doesn't feel like a lifeboat at the time it happens but when I look back, that's exactly what it was for me. Hold a good thought. You have more opportunities than you think. Believe! You can do it.

I would watch your niece and continue to look for work. Who knows...maybe you will land a job that you can work at home. Or you might land a job that is opposite hours of when you watch your niece. Even if you took a year off "work" to re-group yourself and be ready to enter another profession or land another job. You sound beat up with being laid off from the past jobs. Stay positive and refreshed. I know my hubby took a 5th paycut and he works 5 jobs (his full-time job is at 26 hours a week) too bad your job didn't give you a pay cut instead of losing your job altogether. He was depressed and stressed. Still is but not as much with the other part time jobs. I work part time as daycare after school eats up my check. Sounds like you have good options at the moment. Good luck in you decision.

It sounds like you really could use some time to think about if you want to change your profession so I would keep sending out the resumes and watch your niece:) Until you decide which path is right for you. Good luck!

I find it very interesting that few people mention the "cash under the table". You can't expect your daughters to follow the law or others to respect you if you cheat - and cash under the table is cheating for both your brother and for you unless you report the income!

I'm sorry you are dealing with this. I was downsized myself once, it is hard not to get discouraged. I would keep trying to find a job because it is harder to get a job with a gap on your resume. And unemployment benefits doesn't last forever.

Do anything you can to spiff up your resume and cover letters and network like crazy. I know it is tough right now though, even in 'recession-proof' industries like education.

If you can't find anything right away babysitting your niece sounds like a good backup plan. But if you do that make sure to take that time to focus on your long term plans.

Also talk to your daughters about what is going on, and explain that money will be tight so you won't have as much to spend on clothes, toiletries, etc., so they should start looking for summer job opportunities. It will be a great experience for them (this is coming from someone who worked their way through high-school and college).

ETA: and I agree with the other poster who said to cut costs and save like crazy. Cancel luxuries like cable & starbucks and brown bag your lunches from now on.

I would do what's best for you. It sounds like you need a break. If you can pay your bills and it doesn't effect your family, it could be a nice change. There's nothing like a baby. Watching your niece may change your mind on what you want to do with your life.

My husband has been working part-time for almost two years. We have gone through most of our savings and I'm at my wits end. He can't wait for his company to come around. I tell him every day that they are history and what is he going to do? I on the other hand, I may be leaving because I just can't watch this go on for too much longer. He is an electrician and they don't treat him with respect at this company. He is the most senior person there but he allows himself to be treated in such a way that is hard to watch.

I need to take a break that is why I'm telling you, it might be a nice change of pace. I think that you would love it. May be the economy will turn around. I'm not being negative but I just don't believe it will. Every one I know has lost businesses, jobs, etc. I do wish you well in your decision making. Please keep us posted. If you do watch your niece, I would love to know if you're enjoying yourself.

Are you getting a severance package? You have almost two months to look for a job. For unemployment insurance you have to answer the questions honestly and sign it regarding income (daycare for your brother included!). I couldn't falsify records....could you? Start looking for something that inspires you now.

keep looking sometimes it took 3 months for meto get a call and by then i had a job. i movedto texas to get back to work i can find a job within 2 weeks of my temp jobs ending but i am still getting calls of jobs i applied for 6 months ago. they have the option to be picky now and believe me they are doing it and taking thier sweet time doing it. keep looking and babysit on the side

Will you enjoy taking care of the baby? Would you rather be working? Do you like what you are doing? Why do you want to work? To make more money or for prestige? What is holding you back from your decision?

Do you want options or do you like what you do for a living? Do you have a secret desire to do something else? Would you be interested in a home business? Something like that you could do and babysit......I have a home business and it would be manageable depending on what you chose.

I'd suggest making a Pros and Cons list to help you ferret out the answer to these questions. If you decide to babysit........be clear to your brother that you may change your mind. You might even want to tell him you want to start with a 30 day commitment, or something like that.