Hiding a layoff from the family, bad idea? - what worked for you?

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

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