"but my skill set it a bit past my career level because I throw myself into my job" What does this mean? It's your job to advance your own career. Start lookin

"but my skill set it a bit past my career level because I throw myself into my job" What does this mean? It's your job to advance your own career. Start looking for a new job right now. Give yourself a time limit and get yourself in another situation and a fresh start. Then fix you financial situation somehow and your credit. I hear kids are expensive...but be smart and try to pay off debts and save money. It took me four years and two more jobs after leaving a situation similar to yours to get it together enough to give my own business a try. But I have a feeling if you can handle four kids you can handle a startup too. So make a plan, surround yourself with mentors and supportive people, find a partner and go for it.