AIBU to want a career now?

[LaineyPea]

I have name changed as my dilemma may out me in R.L. I feel like I'm having a midlife crisis and don't know what to do (I'm only 32). I have DS1 (6) and DS (3) and I am looking get back into work. SAH due to redundancy on Mat Leave. Not worked for 3 years.

Although not for the lack of trying!
I set up my own Childminding Business - started the process 12 mths ago, registered November 2011. But I no mindees at the mo.
I have the option of doing a Level 3 Childcare Qualification probably the last course that my Local Authority will fund.
I also do a bit of cake decorating too - getting 1 or 2 orders per week - been doing this since last summer.

BUT
I have always wanted to teach (Primary 3-7), do I just go for it now? I have a good degree, I have experience in school from volunteering last year and I am due to start going in again next week.

Basically I have several career paths that I could choose:

1. Childminding.
2. Work in a nursery or pre-school work (I currently do supply on an as and when basis.)
3. Cake Decorating (no trainng in this).
4. Teacher training (GTP or PGCE as I have Degree)

The first 3 fit around school picks for my DS's
The 4th means that I will never ever be able to pick them or be there for assemblies etc.

I am not afraid of the work involved in teaching although I am sure it will be more than I imagine. Its just the not being there for my lads.

I have a v v v supportive MIL who is encouraging me to teach (she has known me since I was 16 and knows it is my ultimate dream)

Oh Mumsnetters what shall I do?

BTW I cannot return to my old career as it is v niche and the company I used to work for is on the rocks.

May I be blunt? Stop dithering. Or you will turn round and another two years have gone and you will not have started out on a career.

Personally I would go for teaching. It's what you really want to do. No, you won't make assemblies or pick up time (lots of working parents don't anyway) but you will have ALL the summer holidays off and a very satsifying and rewarding career.

Go for it.

I mean ALL holidays off not just summer!

Agree
Why bother with the other 3 things when teaching is your ultimate dream and also pays a lot more

Proudnscary Yes you may be blunt I have wanted to this forever!

As a teacher, who has been budget cut out of a job... I personally suggest pursuing the childminding, if possible. If only because there is tough competition for teaching posts at the moment. But then I know that some CM's are struggling to fill places, what with so many parents being made redundant.

What have you done to find mindees? I think the hardest thing about doing anything for yourself is getting your name known and your business out there.

If you do pursue teaching, be aware that yes, the work is a lot more than you probably anticipate, and the pressure to do more/feeling that you've never done quite enough is huge and relentless.

You will also have to put up with a lot of comments about the holidays, short working day, how teachers are crap and teaching is easy...

Go for it. The teaching, I mean. Certainly, it has its family-unfriendly aspects, but there's no career out there which will be perfectly accommodating of your childrens schedules. Even childminding encroaches on family life.

FolkGirl
I am registered with Family Information Service, have displayed posters, sent out leaflets with the pupils at my local school, I have a website, I have introduced myself to local childminders (who are passing on my name on).
I have had a bit of bad luck - 2 families went elsewhere because they couldn't wait any longer (Ofsted v slow)
2 families have not been able to obtain as much work as they thought they would.
1 Mum's course was cancelled at the last minute.
1 Mum wants me but not until September.

Just rang my chosen course and there are vacancies still for this year.
I worried about this, as usually places have gone, but I spoke to a teacher friend and it is a regarded College/Uni.
So I am going to apply

I was going to suggest you register on childcare.co.uk too. It's where I found one of my childminders and I registered on there as a parent and have been approached as well...

Luck does play a big part in it, it's really disheartening when you think it's going to go somewhere and then stuff happens and it doesn't. Argh people!

But it seems as though you've made a decision..!

Well good luck!

If it doesn't work out, you will still have childminding to fall back on. But I hope you don't need it and it works out well for you.

It's so typical I just had a phonecall from one of Mum's who had to cancel due to her course being pulled - she now needs me one morning a week.
Also had an enquiry about working on a Saturday (2 per month) earlier.

I am on Childcare UK. But not paid membership so I don't know whether you get more interest if you pay up. But TBH if you type in Childminder and my village my name and website come up on Google places.

Still applying to uni though.

I definitely know want to go for a career in teaching, but I feel torn by being 'a good Mum' which after spending a lot of time lurking on MN I know a 'good Mum' comes in all forms.
And tying myself to the kitchen sink does not fulfil me or provide for my families future.

I would just say be very strict on family time.

I think I felt so much pressure to prioritise the education of the children in my class that I did 'neglect' my own children.

As long as you switch off from school before you get home and don't switch back on until your children are in bed then you should be ok.

And get as much of your PGCE work done during the week so that you have your weekends free.

I'd go for teaching! You are realistic about what teaching involves and it seems you are passionate about working with children...so why not strike while the irons hot? If you get a place and have a change of heart, you dont have to take it.

And if you do train to be a teacher and f it doesn't work out, you will be a wonderfully qualified teaching assistant, playleader or childminder!

Good luck. The beauty of the path you are considering now is that you can always go back to the others if you find it isn't working out for you, after you qualify.

Just a thought - if you go for teaching it may be best to train for secondary rather than primary. There are not enough jobs in primary at the moment and newly qualified primary teachers have told me that 200 applications per job is par for the course in my location. Check the job situation where you are.

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement.
Dragon - I will check the situation in my area.
I know 100% I do not want to do secondary although my subject forms part of the Baccalaureate.
I did 1 term of a Geography PGCE and left because I rushed into it straight from uni with no life / work experience. I knew I wanted to do primary and just cut my losses and left. I am hoping this won't be an issue when applying for a place on a primary PGCE.
I specifically want to work in early years and have done since I was 14/15. I was talked out of doing a Primary Degree by a well meaning Geography teacher - who I think was trying to mould me into a mini version of her!
I have always had it in mind to teach, however, once I was working and earning it was hard to give up my Salary, now the money is not an issue and my kids are older it seems perfect opportunity.

Teaching. No question.

Get on with it

FolkGirl what have you done since being made redundant have you managed to found work?

Trying to set up doing something related on a freelance basis. But it's tough. I have all the skills/knowledge, qualifications above and beyond what's necessary, experience, but I am struggling.

I'm playing at being a SAHM mostly. Very badly.

Oh and MNetting!!

Good luck with your Freelancing. Do you intend to go back into teaching or do you enjoy the change?

How about teaching part-time? You could earn as much as a part-time teacher, as you would working in full-time childcare or cake decorating.

FilterCoffee I think that would be a good idea. I am hoping to do the course part-time. I just don't know how easy it would be to get part time work as a teacher.

"my families future"?! I hope they do a spelling and grammar refresher on that teaching course OP....

Must try harder when proof reading my posts. or actually proof read them in the first place