I was recently made redundant just before welcoming my newborn, which has been quite overwhelming. The severance package I received was minimal, but thankfully I have some savings to help me through the next few months. I've started looking into the job market, and honestly, it's looking pretty bleak. I estimate it could take me several months to land a new position, and I might not even be able to find a role comparable to what I had before. My partner is planning to take 6 to 12 months of maternity leave, which adds to my dilemma. I'm torn between rushing to find a new job for the sake of financial security or taking the first 3 to 6 months to spend quality time with my family during this critical period. I've seen some advice suggesting that if I qualify for unemployment benefits, it might be worth it to enjoy some time with the baby before diving into the job search. Others have pointed out that the average time to hire is quite long right now, so I should probably start looking for something as soon as possible. It's a tough decision, and I want to make sure I balance my family's needs with my career.