Hiding a layoff from the family, bad idea? after 14 years as an office manager

I have been leaving the house at the same time each day so my kids do not notice. I would rather hear the honest version than the polite one. Bills are coming up and I cannot keep this quiet. What did you say?

Do not wait until a bill surprises them. The longer it goes, the harder it gets.

I told my partner the same evening with a simple plan: what happened, what I was doing and what I needed. It was a relief.