To leave my job to become a carer for my son

[Inapickle2]

Hi everyone,

looking for some advice and whether I'm being unreasonable wanting to leave my job.
I love my current job but have increasingly become overwhelmed. I have a child with special needs with severe disabilities, who relies on me and DH for everything. When he was born I plodded through the first few years of his life trying to manage a senior job role, household and other DC. This was despite him being in hospital every other month due to a health condition.

I've always had a job, but changed roles to help manage stress. I'm now in a role that has a brilliant manager supporting me who has accommodated me reducing my hours etc. due to long COVID. Always allowed flexibility when my DS has been ill/appointments etc.

However, after a recent stint in hospital after a very long time with my DS, I have come to realise that DS's needs will not reduce as he gets older. If anything they will increase.

I am in a very fortunate position where we are financially stable and DH is supporting any decision I make. But, AIBU wanting to leave a very stable job role, with an accommodating manager to become a full time carer? The way I see it is that becoming a carer will help me to manage all DS appointments, hospital stays, household and family much better as I won't have the pressure of work always looming over my head. I would seek to get a casual role to occupy my time in between as I can't see myself not working. Anyone been in a similar situation...what did you decide?

Yes, carer may become your ‘job’ but it’s not your existence. It doesn’t make you defacto parent nor housekeeper either. Carers of family members need more of a break from day to day life as it can have a serious effect on mental health if you don’t factor in some down time.

@Nothanksthanksanyway thank you for your reply. Your question really made me reflect and I came to the conclusion I want to be a mum who wants to care for her child and family. I’ve project managed my life for the last 10 years and gone through every thing by ticking it off as done. Basically, been project managing mine and my family’s life. I look back and think it’s been meaningless ticking boxes, because that’s surviving, not living.

@ScoobyDoesnt a sabbatical/career break could be an option. I haven’t really thought about it. I could speak to my manager and see if it’s feasible.