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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask you if you started a new career after you had children?

25 replies

Staycation · 18/09/2013 18:54

Inspired by another thread about starting a university course after the age of 40. Did you do a career overhaul and start over in a different field once you had children? Do you love it or do you regret it?

OP posts:
scurryfunge · 18/09/2013 18:56

I changed from Teaching to Policing when DS was 2yrs. Don't regret it at all.

FutTheShuckUp · 18/09/2013 19:00

Yes. Did my nurse training now doing my HV training

Original poster
Staycation · 18/09/2013 19:00

Scurry that sounds fabulous, how long did the training take?

OP posts:
DottyboutDots · 18/09/2013 19:02

After my 2nd I went from project management in the city to freelance copywriting. I had no experience but had a very lucky break, from a friend who became a client, and I can do it from home. I love it and it pays proper money. I will be forever grateful to my wonderful friend and now give other SAH friends assignments when I'd rather put my feet up to pass on the same opportunity.

MrsDavidBowie · 18/09/2013 19:04

Yes...from retail management to working for a charity.
Love it

Hopefully · 18/09/2013 19:04

Yes, opened an online fabric shop and later trained as a personal image consultant, i now run both businesses. I love being self employed, being my own boss etc.

littlewhitebag · 18/09/2013 19:07

I went from working in a lab before kids to doing a psychology degree then training to be a social worker after i had children. I love my job.

scurryfunge · 18/09/2013 19:08

Initial traing was 10 weeks residential but home at weekends then a bit more residential training later on. Child care cost a fortune.

scurryfunge · 18/09/2013 19:09

Traing? Training.

Lilliput · 18/09/2013 19:10

I went back to uni at 34 and retrained to become a midwife and although stressful I love it!

solveproblem · 18/09/2013 19:10

Yes. I was doing care work before I had DS1 but started university when he was 2. Am now working in construction and loving it!

Original poster
Staycation · 18/09/2013 19:19

Ohh, all of the posted career changes sound inspiring and it looks like people found their perfect (job) match, I am a bit Envy tbh! I used to be a 'go get' kind of person and have studied, worked my way up in my current proffession, lived abroad etc. However, since having DCs I desperately want to change my career but haven't got the foggiest what is right for me and feel ridiculously stuck.

I'll stop wringing and look forward to reading more inspiring stories Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
Staycation · 18/09/2013 19:22

*whinging not wringing Hmm

OP posts:
Original poster
Staycation · 18/09/2013 19:24

Littlewhite, may I ask what particular field in social work? Sorry very nosy but SW is one of the options I am thinking about at the moment.

OP posts:
scrummummy · 18/09/2013 20:35

yes from teaching adults to agile project management. I love it and I trebled my salary Grin Grin

BadRoly · 18/09/2013 20:39

I left teaching to become a training coordinator in an engineering company before children.

I started an AAT accounting level 2 course today after 10+ years of being a SAHM/doing the books for dh's business.

duracellbatterybunny · 18/09/2013 20:41

Went to university to train as a primary teacher when my youngest DD started sch. Love teaching, no regrets.

SilveryMoon · 18/09/2013 20:44

Pre-dc I was a pub manager. I went on mat leave when I was 25 and became a SAHM.
3 years ago (at the age of 29) I went to work as an SEN TA and am now about to start a degree in Childhood and Youth Studies.

2gorgeousboys · 18/09/2013 20:47

Me too - from a job I didn't like (Call Centre Manager) prior to having the boys to being a Bid Manager which I love. It wasn't a direct move as I had a few steps in between over a 6 year period.

BlessThisMess · 18/09/2013 20:47

Started an M.Sc in Nutritional Therapy age 47 with DDs aged 6 and10. That was 2 years ago and have not finished yet, but love it and am very glad I've done it.

TheScreamingfrog · 18/09/2013 20:56

Me too, worked in an emergency call centre for 10 years and now am a Slimming World consultant and a first aid trainer. Redundancy shoved me in this direction but I am so pleased I did!

marriedinwhiteisback · 18/09/2013 21:00

Yes. I worked in the City as a Eurobond dealer and went back to work when I was 43. I started at the bottom on HR and have since done my professional qualifications and an MBA. Ten years on I have a well paid, professional public sector job - and it's local. I still work hard 8.45 - 6 working a bit in the evenings but it's better than being in the office at 7am and not getting home until after 8pm. Fits in a bit better with family life. Love it and have no regrets. I took a lot out in my 20s and 30s and now I feel like I'm putting something back in.

RustyBear · 18/09/2013 21:04

Yes, I was a librarian, but we moved just after I had DD and all the libraries in our new area required staff to work 3 Saturdays out of 4, which isn't great with a young family. I started volunteering hearing readers at DS's school, and gradually turned into the school's IT technician (initially because I knew how to unfreeze computer!)

penguin73 · 18/09/2013 21:17

I did it and absolutely regret it, really miss my old career (it's not one I can go back to). I made the decision at the time based on circumstances/family needs rather than not wanting to do my old job anymore and I think that is the problem - be sure you are changing for the right reasons! I am now looking for something new but have no ideas what and feeling a bit lost.

saggyhairyarse · 18/09/2013 21:19

Yes, I was a Company Secretary and am now training to be an Operating Department Practitioner. I'll be 40 in November and qualify next summer :)

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