Hiding a layoff from the family, bad idea? (update)

I have been leaving the house at the same time each day so my kids do not notice. Bills are coming up and I cannot keep this quiet. How did you handle it?

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.