Did anyone stop working when they had children? And go back in midlife? If so, what did you do / retrain as?

[Flo78]

I was an early years teacher but stopped when I had children of my own. When they went to school, I did afternoon lunch cover nursery work (10am-2pm) four days a week. The pay was terrible! But it was good to be earning and out. I left that job at the end of summer.

But now I am bored and unfulfilled and depressed.

I want to have a school-day job, but not teaching as that is longer than a school day and is truly exhausting. There was also some awful safeguarding stuff (something that happened in a child’s life outside of the setting) in my old job that really upset me and made me feel like I don’t want to go back to teaching. It dominated my thoughts all summer, I still think too much about it. So that’s why I’m not keen to go back.

I want to do something fun and fulfilling and also that’s different and exciting all the time. Perhaps I am asking too much!!

Help!!! Any tips? I can retrain. I don’t want to spend forever retraining, because I want to just get on with stuff. But I really want to enjoy my life!

I’m feeling so low at the moment. Like I’m pointless. And it’s also a strain for my DH to be the only earner though he was supportive of me leaving my last job, and me being around for all school pick ups and drop offs and the holidays makes our life much easier.

I was a teacher pre kids. Stayed home for 6ish years. Went back to teaching…hated it. Decided to do a degree apprenticeship in the pharmaceutical industry (at age 35) took a pay cut to do it (paid 28k for the apprenticeship) it took 3 years. Graduated at started a job on 40k (graduate pay) a year and a half later I’m in a new position in 50k. It’s definitely possible it all depends on what industry you want to work in I suppose. I love my job however I work full time 8-4:30 and my dc go to afterschool. Although I have flexi time and can wfh 2-3 days a week which helps.

I did the opposite! Was a civil servant, took 10 years off when my children were born, then went back and trained as a primary teacher, started at the age of 43 and just about to retire now!

I was a nursery nurse, went back briefly into nursery work then realised it wasn’t how I remembered so have worked in charity work ever since

I was a PA before children. I stopped work until youngest went to secondary school and went to work in a school office. It’s still longer than a school day though.

I’m an ex-Early Years teacher, proud SAHM for 7 years, and now my youngest has started school I am studying for my Level 3 Counselling Studies qualification. I’m also doing training with a linked organisation, all via Zoom at home within the school hours. It’s extremely interesting! Long term, I will design my own garden office and the plan is to WFH mainly during school hours/some evenings when DH is home. I refuse to miss any of my own children’s school runs/school events as a teacher, and the difference I am seeing already in terms of having autonomy over my own diary is amazing!

Good luck to you, there are different and refreshing options out there which will suit you, I promise!

I was a junior doctor. I left to have my children and was out of the profession for over a decade. Went back to the profession. Was terrifying but no regrets.

I worked for Royal Mail in various roles for 16 years before I had my 4 children. I studied part time whilst they were little & not working, went back to work 18 months ago as a TA, I start my teach training next year (secondary). I love it, I wanted to teach years ago but fell into a job etc.

This sounds very interesting!! I may look into that.

I feel the same about wanting to be there for my own children - I work with children so it felt strange to be looking after children but not my own?! I like being around for all the school runs etc. But during the day when my children are at school, now that I’m no longer doing nursery lunch cover, I really need something else.

Children’s centre manager or practitioner?