I'd guess that most people have a closer relationship with one parent than another - even if they have a good relationship with both. Let's get some anecdotal evidence to confirm or refute this. Anybody?

I'm constantly grateful for both my parents. There is no one I respect more than them. I was closer to my mother; I think my dad and I are possibly too similar. (I noticed this especially travelling through Europe with first D and then M.) I still miss my mother.

Oh, crap, billytea. Or - well, and maybe yay? Security-ma to you and yours, mate. And silk dressing gowns. And maybe pipes and slippers.

I think probably yay. It's not a surprise, I've had time to get comfortable with the prospect. I have nearly 14 years' continuous service and I'm on a good award (and this is Australia), so the payout is eminently generous. The company's been making an effort to handle the lay-off process as well as they can reasonably be expected to, which includes an outplacement service. Meanwhile, the role I was able to pursue in the company and my skill set had been diverging for some time, and though I expected this year to be an improvement, I would still have been looking for a different position elsewhere had I not been laid off.

I reckon I'll be fine. I feel I'm in a better position than many of the other people who got laid off. Plus, imminent baby!

Boo for the layoff, but yay for imminent baby!! When is Wallybee due?

Sorry about the layoff, bt. That sucks but I hope it means you can spend more time with the baby when it comes before you get a new job.

How's Wallybee?

I'm sorry, billytea. And waiting to read your answer re: Wallybee.

And you just reminded me to look again in the job sites.

Boo for the layoff, but yay for imminent baby!! When is Wallybee due?

April 29, or two weeks' time - then shall my plan reach its fruition and I will witness the birth of a mammal, oh yes I will. Mother and baby are both travelling well, aside from the gestational diabetes it's been pretty smooth sailing. Fingers crossed the birth continues the trend.

Oh, so soon!

Also, only 3 hours to cake (and bread! And pizza!). Can't believe I made it this far.

Yay for the mammal birth! Boo for the layoff!

Though the timing could be fortuitous, because it'll give you more time at home for the newborn WallyTea.

Though the timing could be fortuitous, because it'll give you more time at home for the newborn WallyTea.

It's extremely fortuitous from a family perspective. Hell, I could be at home for his whole first year of life and we'd still come out ahead. Given the state of the jobs market right now, I'm not planning to push my luck. But really, I'm fine with this. I have no need of -ma, so to speak.

Oh, billytea, that is good timing, and it sounds like you are set up in good shape. It does sound like a win, especially since it gets you away from your demon-spawn of an incompetent boss. So congratulations on the bits you like, and boo-hiss that this was not 100% under your control.