Of course, there's some of the same problem for people on unemployment: If you can get the same amount (or more) on unemployment and keep looking for the job you want, how much sense does it make to take a financial hit to go work fast food?

There's nothing quite like feeling that your work brings in so little as to barely be worth it. Especially, as you said, when it can lead to savings around the house. Unfortunately, as a depressive, not having work to do can actually make me less organized. But that's a whole post unto itself, I suppose.

I hear what you're saying about feeling dependent on a husband because of not working at all. I think I'd have a hard time with that as well–although I don't mind saying good bye to one career and using the opportunity to try something else.

Thanks for your thoughtful comments!

But I'd also be an emotional and intellectual wreck. I need to do meaningful work in order to keep happy and productive; in the few months I had before I started my internships, when I was exclusively focusing on unpacking our house and running errands and such, I was absolutely miserable.

I'm extremely lucky that we can afford for me to focus on my training. And I think it's important, as you pointed out, to look at long-term consequences of not working (which, for me, would mean never getting my therapy license). I've counseled too many women who gave up careers for kids or husbands and who are *terrified* after a divorce or husband's death because they've been out of the workforce for so long, and I never want to be in that position.