Work/home/kids...

[stayathomenightmare]

Hi,
I'm looking for some advice from people who understand!

My situation is I'm a single parent to 3 children, been divorced 5 years. I've been a SAHM for 15 years for various reasons and now I need to get some work.

One of my children has ASD and ADHD and other difficulties so he has many hospital appointments, meetings etc and attends specialist provision so he has shorter terms than mainstream schools. He can't be left at home alone with his sibling although they are both teens, as he's too unpredictable. My youngest child is 6.

I've been trying to get back into work for a few years but I had to put that on hold due to serious health issues which are pretty much resolved now.

My dilemma is that I can't see how I can ever get back into an office environment, although I'd much rather do that than work at home as I like the company.

The kids Dad isn't interested in doing any childcare and I don't have family who are willing to help cover school pick ups, illness, holidays etc on a regular basis.

I trained in a professional role before I had my children, although I only worked for a short time in that field before I had my daughter so I don't have a strong track record.

As I can see it I have two options:
Option 1. I try to get back into the field I was in before. This will involve some retraining and it's a fairly competitive and demanding field to work in. It's usually office based but there's some scope for working from home.
Option 2. I have a hobby that I could potentially develop into a career. Would be something I could build up gradually, would involve some cost to buy equipment. Would be completely freelance so could fit it in around the children.

I can't seem to decide what to do as neither is ideal. I'd really rather work with people in an office environment, but I sadly think I'd struggle to be a reliable employee due to all my commitments.
Maybe there's another option I hadn't thought of. Any advice is appreciated!

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

If you manage to get a WFH position, could you then use a "co working space" on days and times when the kids are at school? Then you would only need to wfh if the kids were off.

[LouiseTrees]

I’d go Option2 , unless in Option 1 you were an auditor/accountant in which case I might know of an arrangement for you.

[stayathomenightmare]

Bernadette- I like your idea of the co working space.

Louisetrees- thank you but no not accountancy unfortunately!