What do you think?

[LEINSTRIPPIN]

Well I have worked full time since I was 16 and without making this story to long..I am happily married with a 6 year old daughter. The ONLY reason we are looking to file chapter 13 is to strip a 90K second lien on our house that we purchased in 05' we will still be upside down 27K on the first, but hey that's better than 100K, right? Anyhoo, I have the choice to quite my customer service job, not a career, before we file chapter 13. My husband makes enough money to support us and pay about $100 to a chapter 13 after all expenses. So my daughter will not have to be in daycare anymore($390 a month) and we will get a lot more quality time together. It seems like a no brainer...however, I have worked for so long and almost feel obligated in some weird way. I just keep thinking, man, we only get one shot at this life, and wouldn't it be nice to spend more time with our child, and keep the house up etc... so we don't have to work our butts off on the weekend to get everything done... What would you do? Any comments, advice is much appreciated...

[needanswers]

It's a personal choice, really one that only you can make for yourself and your family. But if you are able to, I cannot think of time better spent and more rewarding than being a stay at home mom.

I know this doesn't apply to you yet but just wanted to add that people think that once the kids are older that they don't need as much guidance. But I have found in our experience with a young teen that she needs the supervision and guidance even more than ever! Lots of kids her age where the parents are working when they get out of school are running around doing things they shouldn't be and the parents have no idea.

[Jackdog]

I don't have children but to me being a stay at home Mom is a job. If I did have a child I'd want to be home with them. My Mom, when I was growing up worked off and on, I hated it when she worked. I loved coming home from school and her being there. When she did have a job I did go to daycare a few times a week. It wasn't bad but I would of rather been at home with her. Life is too short. She died when I was 27. I lost my Mom and best friend in the blink of an eye. I have amazing memories but you never know when it's your time. I wish I would of had more time.

[momofthree]

Do it. I don't think you really even need to think twice about this. If you'd be working just to pay daycare and the trustee, then where is the motivation to work? Spend the time with your daughter....

[LEINSTRIPPIN]

Thank you all for responses. I feel my time would be much better spent with our daughter, and I know we both would benefit greatly from it. You only go around once! And our children are not children for long. Before we know it she will be ready to drive.

[Flamingo]

Personal choices are tough because we need the reassurance of others that all will be OK. It could be OK and it could be a bad choice. It depends on the security and stability of your husband's situation and whether or not your job actually puts money into the household (i.e., do your daycare costs eat up most of your salary). Remember if you do quit before filing and then realize you made a mistake and need funds that you will have to report that to your attorney which will change your entire situation. Lifestyle change during 3 to 5 years of a Chapter 13 is difficult and hard to maintain. You have to balance out the negatives and the positives of your situation which is difficult for someone else to do for you, but the main thing after raising 4 children myself is to look at the fact of the cost of daycare, your work clothing, mileage and travel expenses to work and if they eat up most of your salary, it truly is not worth you working if you can make it on one salary.

[LEINSTRIPPIN]

Flamingo- I totally agree. We are not making any hasty decisions. It is a tough one.