Re: Going overseas to work question.....
My offer still stands if you want to talk about this from someone who spends some time overseas. PM me and I will share particulars with you. Also, read my "Prayers Requested" thread. Sometimes not so nice things happen while you are gone and it is difficult to pick up and head home immediately.
I was overseas when my father died and I had a hard time wrestling with that ... because of my involvement with emergency medical services I kept thinking that if only I had been home he could have gotten treatment sooner and the heart attack would not have been lfatal. Of course things like this could happen when you are on vacation, or going to the grocery store, but it works on your mind when you are on another continent and you have to be ready to deal with things like that. If my wife was not strong enough to handle difficulties, and we were not on the same page with kids, home, life in general, I could not be doing what I am doing. And I hate missing milestones with kids.
Granted, my situation is different than yours - all situations are. And I am not telling you NOT to do it, because obviously I am overseas right now and looking forward to returning home Monday/Tuesday. I can tell you this, if my marriage was not a strong, great marriage, and if my wife didn't reinforce OUR views and standards with the kids while I was away, I could never do what I am doing now.
So keep examining your situation, your marriage, your relationship with the kids ... it is really THEIR advise that you need, not ours. Would the kids be happier, really and honestly, if Dad made twice the money but was gone for a month at a time? Is the money worth the seperation? Only you and they can answer that, and as said before in this thread, make sure the $ and the package is truly what it is being said it is ... I doubt it is really as tax-free as you think.
Good luck in your decision. I am praying that you will make the decision that is best for you and your family.