Need advice - leaving work for good

We have baby # 3 on the way (BOY!). Second post-op baby (it's true - weight loss makes you FERTILE!!). I'm 14 weeks. This is our last one. Wow, my hands are sweating already and I haven't even gotten to my issue lol.

We've decided that I'm going to stay home for a few years. I'm free to start staying home as soon as I lock in a part time source of income. I'm hoping things will happen within the next month or so (I have to actually START trying to get the job first - I've been really nervous). I have a few good opportunities.

I'm pretty much past all the nervousness and I'm diving in with the job thing. Now my question...

I've been at my job for 8 years. I've told a handful of close coworkers that I was going to be a SAHM after the baby's born for sure, and possibly sooner. Their response was to practically freak out... "OMG What is this place going to do without YOU!" And really, I wonder the same thing. I'm no one special, but I handle all the stuff no one else knows how to fix or what to do with. I've been here forever and know the answers to pretty much anything anyone can throw at me.

When do I tell them I'm leaving? 

OMG. Typing it sooo made it real. I'm......leaving.

I'm a little conflicted here. My gut tells me that I should tell them like - now. But what if everything falls through with the job stuff? I mean, I'm not looking for some great job - just something part time and I already have a few good prospects, so I'm pretty certain that something's going to happen.

But I've had issues with tardiness for years. I've been much better in the last year, but lately I've been late a lot because I'm pregnant, nauseous and tired. I'm barely out of my first trimester. It's unrealistic to think, but I'm worried they might find a reason to fire me.

All these stupid thoughts keep coming to mind and I can't get myself comfortable enough to tell them that at some point I'm leaving. I have a good relationship with my superiors (obviously...I've survived 8 years and 3 layoffs). I want to make sure that if something happens, I could come back here (given that there's an open position).

My high-up boss is a VP. She and I have been tight for years. I casually mentioned to her a while ago that I might not come back after I had the baby, and that if I did I'd definitely have to have a raise (daycare will be $400 a WEEK = $1600-1700 a month!). Her reply?   " How much?" then a long speech about how I was too smart to sit at home all day and how I'll go nuts. Mind you, she doesn't have kids or much of a maternal side.

My immediate supervisor found out about our conversation and expressed her worry over the possibility of me leaving.

Any advice or encouragement is GREATLY appreciated.

If they don't want to loose you would they be willing to make you part time? Is that a possibility?

I wish. No part time, no nights, no work at home.

Myself I know I'm leaving after baby is born but I haven't told work or said anything to anyone there.I want my disability I also think what if something was to happen to my pregnancy as well.I work for a School District so my disability is up before its time for me to go back so by the time I tell them I'm not coming back gives them a month to find someone before school even starts back up.I understand that you have been there a long time but you can't worry about that if you know your leaving for sure.

You shouldn't say anything to your employers. It doesn't matter if you have been there for a bazillion years. You need to keep it strictly to yourself. You never know what will happen and what you will decide.

So, you need to protect yourself and your benefits. They will have to prepare for you to be gone for your maternity leave anyway. So, they will be prepared to be without you while you are on leave. So, just train someone like you are going to while you are on leave and take it from there.

If you are saying that you are wanting to quit before the baby is born, same applies. You can leave on good standing by giving your notice. You can give a longer notice (if you feel like you want to) and then say you are more than willing to assist with training your replacement. Additionally, you can be available as a consult for as needed things.

When I left my job 7 years ago for the one I am in now, I gave my notice. I stated I would be available to come in on Saturday as a consultant to train my replacement or do do any work that was needed. They did that for about a month and then I was free. I felt like I did everything I needed to to help the company plus made some great money in return!

Good luck!

I have a friend who has three kids, one of which is in school. She watches kids before and after school and gets $20 per day per kid, so she makes about $500 per week working about 3 hours per day.