[topkai22]

One of the best lessons I've learned in life is we as individuals are a lot less important in others lives than we think we are (immediate family excluded.) Leaving is likely to be a lot less devastating to others than you think. While it's good to be concerned about your fellow coworkers, be aware you are likely over estimating your place in their lives.

I assume other people have left your company before, was there bad fallout? Why? Can you avoid that? If there has never been fallout, why are you worried there will be now? People change jobs all the time, and 8 years is a long time in the same position.

Talk over your thoughts with your CEO and maybe peers. You don't need to (and shouldn't) talk about any external job offers, but if you ask them "My life has changed- I don't want to travel any more, I want to solve larger problems, and I want to interface with customers less, can I do that here?" then they can at least come to the conclusion that it's time for a transition as well. And maybe they have something up their sleeve. If not, they can work with you on transitioning in a controlled manner instead of a <1 month panic.

If your other opportunities allow, you can even offer yourself for reach back consulting on a limited basis - I've seen that be successful before.

Finally, so long as you are trying to be professional and collegiual about it, don't feel guilty about transitioning. Small kids change things, you need a different lifestyle. Coworkers who care about you as a whole will understand that.

[catacombs]

> People change jobs all the time, and 8 years is a long time in the same position.

Really? I'm coming up to five years at my job, and I can easily stay another five.