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. There are 5 people counting on me, so I am trying to be careful. I want a plan before I speak. Did it get easier afterwards?

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it 4 months ago, and it got easier once I kept a simple log of every call and form.