I think it sounds like a job with lots of potential for growth, and a lot to learn.  When my first dd was about the age of yours, I was working full time and taking classes for my second master's, it was busy but good.  We had a lot of evening time, and traditions, I had ""enough" time with her, it seemed. We walked in the neighborhood at night, went out for coffee on Saturdaymornings sometimes, watched a few tv shows with Ben and Jerry's, grew a garden. She got quality time, as they say. Now my kids have gotten more quantity time, there are pluses and minuses to both, really. Mommy wars exist because there is no good answer. There is only a good enough answer. 

When we lived in Milwaukee, I worked long hours over an hour away, in Pewaukee.  I was pregnant with my third, and I had lots of juggling with lots of different shifts, lots of drop offs and arrangements for the kids. It was a challenging job, I learned a lot. I worked there until my third was 10 or 11 months, they worked around a new baby with me. 

I like being home more, but I think if you don't go to the interview and find out what they would offer you, if they offered you the job, you would regret it. If they offer you the job, give yourself some time, a day or two, to consider the offer, and before than ask everyone who knows you and your family what they think. Collective wisdom.

Pray, and I hope God provides a clear path for you. A clear path is frequently what I pray for, that God will help me know what is His plan for me and my loved ones.  

I agree with the ones that are saying you should seriously consider doing this interview. For some reason, it always seems easier to find a job when you already have one. If there are not many jobs available at the moment, you may want to take this one and if you find out it just really doesn't work for you, then keep looking. You mentioned that you are the main breadwinner and you have enough to last three more months before you would start to worry. Well, in this economy, another job might not come along for 6 months or more. At least if you take this job even if it's only temporary, look at how much money you could hold on to in case of emergencies.

Both of my children are grown now, but looking back (I was a working mother), I found that the quality time I spent with them was just as (if not more) important as the the quantity.

Dear SunshineTreva, I completely agree with those who said that you should goto the final interview, & if you are offered the job, take it.  I completely agree that it is much easier to find a new job when you have one alreddy. 

Dh is able to give quantity time to dd; that is much mre benefit than most working mothers have ....

I pray for you daily.  Love in Him, Deb

I'm probably too late to help with this, but I would go for it.  There are no jobs to be had around here and another plant announced yesterday that it's shutting down 1/1/10.  Sometimes we have to do things outside our comfort zone and I think DD would eventually understand you need to be gone for work.

I was devestated when my mom started working when I was 13 because she'd always been at home with us.  I had nothing to worry about because she was a teacher's assistant in our city and was at home with us on holidays and all summer.  I guess it was just knowing she couldn't be there for every little thing anymore.  I guess I was just spoiled!

BTW ..  can you give us an update?  Did you have the interview?

hey there not putting to much thought in this the drie sounds like a pain but what about pay if it does what happens when a kid gets sick so on so forth I am going to say this ask the hubby and ask family and a friend think twice but fore jumping the gun my dad had to drive 45 miles to and back home for a 10hr. teaching job everyday except sat. and sundays he said he was so tired once he didn't how he did it but he did I drove long distance from seattle to olimpia 3 days aweek 35 there 35miles back in rush hour traffic felt like the german outoban there that road you put your car threw that forget it on my part but what ever you do think two three times first then jump in if not then its not meant to be good luck.

Oh I definately went -- sorry, posted in the daily thread last week, but should've posted here.  I really gave it my all, but have not heard anything.  They said they had been searching for 4 weeks and that they were on the last leg of the search, so I would assume that they made a quick decision.  It's okay though.  It's better that I went and did my best and not hear anything than to have just chucked the opportunity.  I will keep searching.  I have to say though that I really appreciate everyone's support.  It brought me a lot of peace when I most needed to *stop worrying* and allow the process to just happen.

  I'm glad you went .. whatever the outcome.  It's good to put yourself "out there" so to speak.  If you don't get this one, who knows, something else might come from this interview.

 sunshine,

 

Congratulations on following through! I'm sure something better will come along.

You must be a terrific person to take on the responsibility for supporting the family and caring for your daughter and husband. I doubt I could ever do all that.

I would take the job. In three months you're going to be in a very tough spot when the savings run out and in an even tougher spot if the SSDI goes away for any reason. What is your "Plan B?" In the current economy my take is that any job is better than none. The network of coworkers, other people you meet and new friends may very well lead to something better. In his book "What Color Is Your Parachute"? Nelson Bolles makes it clear that the majority of jobs are not found on the Internet or newspaper ads. They are found through one's personal network of friends, acquaintances and family.

The frequent long commutes are a downside to be sure. Keep your records of mileage so you can get accurate reimbursement for that. The mileage allotment is not just for gasoline, it is also for the wear on your vehicle, and racking up the miles like that you'll need a plan for a replacement vehicle. The plus side is that if it isn't stop and go driving long commutes are great for a car and if you're careful to keep up with the maintenance you can get 200k+ miles out of a car.

Commit to it for a year and then reassess things. The time away from home may in fact "cost too much". The stress of the travel may prove to be "too much". Or you may find another position within the organization that is closer to home and doesn't involve so much commuting or you may stumble across something better. But unless you try it you'll never know.

My point is that if you don't do something as time goes on you will have fewer and fewer choices and may have to take a job that you loathe just to put food on the table. No one wants to be in that position.