Congratulations on your parenthood, btw! I'm sure everyone at work was so happy for you (not). Great piece about a tough situation. It is also about the matrix of American-style business, our housing economy and the idea of working far from where you live. Kind of nuts, I'd say. Throw parenthood into the mix and the delicate balance collapses.

I have kids in your situation. Terrified to buy a house, working in one state living in another, trying to keep bosses happy. All because the economy, the government and how we treat workers conspire to keep young people on the edge, second-guessing and holding their breath.