Should I Go? - Vail,CO

Family first...always. So yes, go. If you haven't found a job in 6 months, you can wait a week. JMO. Good luck.

Just in case you don't know about them - have you tried Personnel Firms (like Kelly Services, Manpower, etc.)? Positions can be temp, temp to perm or direct hire. They are looking to fill positions for companies, but they do not charge the candidate who is looking for a job. You visit them, take some assessments (computer stuff - word, excel, etc.) and then you're in their system. Hopefully you'll match up. I've found full time jobs through them several times in my life. Hope that helps!

She will die in the not too distant future, even if that's 10 or 20 years from now. You should go spend time with her. If you had a current job that you couldn't take off from then it might be different.

I'd go and not look back. If anyone called and asked you to go on an interview I'd tell them I could go but that I had plans to visit my 70 year old MIL and that it was important to me to go.

Any job you get right now would only be temporary and her life is too. She should have her family around her.

YES!! You should go. If your family can afford it, go.

I say yes, because you haven't had any requests for interviews, correct? If you haven't, then take the time to regroup and take care of you.

I would still keep my eyes out while I'm gone. However, if you haven't had a nibble on your resume? Take it with you and have someone else read it. It might not be reading well...read it out loud in front of a mirror - if you trip over it - so is the reader.

Happy Birthday to your mother in law!!!

If you haven't landed a job already, and you're not working holiday retail, I'm not sure any miracles are going to happen before the end of the year.
It's not a big hiring time and in many places they typically roll out layoffs just in time for the holidays - (Merry Christmas, here's your pink slip, now get out).
Go have some fun with your family.
The job search will still be there when you get back.

Yes of course you should go.

You're not going to find a job in 6 days home alone that you can't find with your family here, and you're not going to get hired this close to Christmas anyway - non-retail employers are in year-end mode, not hiring mode (you might get interviews but with people on vacation, nothing official would happen until January) and if you're thinking of seasonal help, that hiring was done before Halloween so that people can be done training by the time the holiday season begins at Thanksgiving.

Honestly I don't see the connection between a job and the trip at all and it sounds like you're grasping at the job thing because you really want some time to yourself. Rather than go for the entire week, let your husband and son go as planned and you can join them for a few days, including the actual party, but you don't have to stay as many nights as they are planning on. It would be one thing if you were working and couldn't get the time off but you're not. Go.

To me it sounds like you are overwhelmed. If it were me I would make up an excuse and stay home alone for the peace and quiet, not even just the job search. You need some time to relax, think, take some long walks, sleep late and come back to yourself. Your job search will benefit also when you are not frazzled. And like you said, this opportunity will not present itself again soon. His mother might secretly be thrilled to have her son's attention all to herself (my mom admitted this one visit without hubbie). You deserve to do what is right for your mental and physical health without guilt. Take care of you. (((Hugs)))

I'd go visit her. There is time when you get back to be alone and find a job. Go have fun!

do you have any immediate job prospects that will be contacting you, or expiring, during that time period?
your 7 year old will be fine. he'll be with his dad, and family.
it sounds as if you're very tuned into your family, and have fostered a great relationship with your MIL. so i don't think you *need* to go. and it actually sounds to me as if you'd love the break, both so that you can focus on your job search AND have a little time to nurture yourself.
i'm not sure if this is good time to look for work, although i applaud you for sticking with it. as B points out, the post-holiday slump is responsible for a lot of layoffs in retail. but that doesn't mean jobs can't be found. and it sounds as if you are focused and ready, which is great.
so i don't think it will be an awful thing if you take some family time and go on the trip, but honestly, my dear, i think you need the solitary time more, and for more reasons.
khairete
S.

You need to go and then you will not have regrets. I know exactly what you are saying, but remember, some day you may be "the mother in law" and you will want your sons whole family around any time that they are available. Set an example for your son.

Believe me, family should come first when possible. I have grief with my mil, but at least I can say, it was not because of my neglect or lack of trying.

Please re-read Suz T's wonderful answer.

I would stay home. Now, if you truly are the type of person who would spend that time at home chewing your nails while second-guessing yourself that "I should be there," well, go, but if you can use the time to organize things or just care for yourself -- stay home.

You spend a lot of time with MIL week to week. It's not like you seldom see her, so you must somehow make up for lack of time with her by making a show of attending this event. I would wager that you actually spend more quality time with her in those three-times-a-week visits than you will during a big, busy family event involving flights and hotels and lots of other folks wanting her attention.

Regarding a job -- Are you talking here about landing a job that's a career path type of job, or just finding some temporary retail work over the holidays? If the former, don't depend on it happening at this time of year when companies traditionally don't do much or any hiring; but if you're seeking the latter, a retail temp job to make some cash, yes, you need to do that right now.

Go. If you've been looking for a job for 6 months then you need a break from the stress. Once you get back sign up with a temp agency.

A lot of companies use temp agencies to fill their jobs. The reason is that if they get a bad temp they can call the agency and ask for someone else without having to go through the expense of hiring and firing someone. My son temped and ended up being hired by the company once the temp contract was up. My middle daughter and youngest daughters both temped to get experience in their fields which eventually got them full time employment and added to their resumes.

I would go and celebrate with my MIL. You say you have a good relationship with her so why not? She is not going to be around for a real long time at her age. Make some memories as your husband will enjoy them.

Yes job hunting is a job. You have not gotten any replies. You have a cell phone or a laptop you can take to your MIL's house and keep in contact with a potential employer. Right now you enjoy the down time. As soon as you begin working you will not have this time to do what you want you will have a routine to adhere to. Take a walk by yourself at your MIL's house and calm your nerves that way. You can find time to be by yourself with family around trust me I have.

Good luck to you.

the other S.

PS You never mentioned your line of work. Perhaps you might have to change it up or go back to school.

No, stay and look for the job or just enjoy the time to yourself. When you are in job mode, vacations are just a stressful inconvenience. They will be fine without you.

So--you *could* stay home and still not find a job in that week, right?
Go!
Like a PP said--"Family First!"

I like Gamma's response. We are all getting older, and maybe that's why I would encourage you to go because it just hit me.Not always chances to do this again and I have a hunch your husband would appreciate it. I totally completely understand your need for alone time, but we as women who work hard must demand that anyway.
Do you have a cell phone? Those travel well and just let someone know that you can call them back.
And no need to apologize for the fact that you want your own income, we all like extra money for whatever our needs or wants are.

You can go for less then the 6 days. This party is probably om a week end - go Friday night come back Sunday. Win win