u/Economy_Novel2624

Our current plan for our first trip (2 kids ages 8/11):

Saturday 10/24: Arrive EWR 8:45 pm, Uber to hotel (Double Tree Times Square South)

Sunday 10/25: breakfast, Bryant Park, Take the train to Metlife stadium/Ny Jets game at 1 P.M., back in the city by 6:30ish. Find a good pizza option for dinner.

Monday 10/26: Take the subway downtown. Battery park/see Statue of Liberty from here (not planning on the ferry ride). See the 9/11 memorial. Walk through the Oculus. Lunch in Chinatown or Little Italy. Maybe a museum in the afternoon- Natural History or The Met?

Tuesday 10/27: Central Park walks, maybe another museum (Museum of Modern Art?), shopping- FAO Schwartz, Lego store; NY Public Library and maybe a bookstore; early dinner, Aladdin at New Amsterdam Theater at 7. After the show, walk Times Square at night.

Wednesday 10/28: morning walk somewhere with good views/sights, maybe the High Line? Train or Uber back to EWR around 10:30/arrive by 11:30 for our flight at 1:30.

Too ambitious? Anything we shouldn't miss and don't have planned yet?

WWYD: Job Stability vs. Flexibility as a working mom.

Considering a new job offer but nervous to make the change. Spouse works and could handle the necessities financially if this didn't work out, but it would be very tight.

(Current) Job 1: 5 days in office, generous leave but stressful to use it because work piles up, government job with a lot of security but poor leadership/very negative work environment. Very top-heavy staff with low promotion potential for the next decade, but merit raises will continue annually in my current role.

Job 2: fully remote, same leave policy but seems more flexible based on interview info, private sector with much less generous retirement/health ins. Promotion/growth potential seems very likely.

Pay is the same, but would end up paying about $700/month more for family health ins if I leave Job 1, will save about $500 same amount on after-school/extended day care costs since no commute will give me an earlier pickup ability. I am vested in the gvmt job pension so I'm guaranteed some payment in retirement, but won't continue to grow that amount if I move to the private sector. Job 2 is also a newer company (<10 years) so I worry about the security there.

I've been at Job 1 for a decade and change feels risky and nerve-wracking, but I also think I would regret not taking the chance on the work-life balance with Job 2.