To think I'm washed up (workwise)?

[Sallyfreckles]

I'm currently a SAHM to my 3 children (8,6 & 22 months). I've always worked, since I was 13. But when I had my 2nd child I took voluntary redundancy from a decent local authority job (mainly due to the long train commute that was going to be even tougher with 2 DC). Since then (6 years ago) I've done a couple of entry level temp jobs (totalling 9 months work,) and a voluntary one.
I guess I'm looking for inspirational stories from people who've been SAHP for a number of years, and got back into the workplace, in a fulfilling role. I just feel I've been out of it all for so long, I don't have the confidence anymore. I'm 41 and would really like a fulfilling career at some point... :-)

What educational qualifications do you have?

I ask because one of the most effective ways to re-boot one's working life is to gain a new qualification. A degree or apprenticeship if you don't have one, a postgraduate degree if that's more appropriate.

The mental exercise of studying, and the challenge of working alongside other students sharpens the brain and opens all sorts of career doors. Loans are available at both levels of study.

Would this be something you might consider?

Retirement age is 67.

At a guess you are younger than 47... So you have (more than) 20 years of working life ahead of you. That's quite a lot of time to re-launch yourself.

Doh, I see you are 41. 26 years!

I think voluntary work or qualifications are a good way back into work. For example, if you would like admin or customer focused roles - volunteering at Citizen’s advice bureau would be relevant.

Volunteer to build up confidence.
I started at your age as a first responder volunteer, then applied for a nursing degree. I was not the oldest student in the room and although hard work and complicated with child care -it was possible.
The best advice I ever had was to only look as far as two weeks ahead, if you try and work out how to cope for the next 3 years its overwhelming and impossible, but two weeks you can do, then the next two weeks etc.
Now at 50 I'm a qualified nurse with an almost guaranteed job and an amazingly huge range of career options ahead. Its been tough with Covid but if your looking for something rewarding, I can recommend nursing.
Also hospitals are always looking for admin staff.

I was s sahp for 13 years, give or take.

I volunteered for a charity and eventually got paid work. It's not a dream job, but I'm full-time now. I don't have the financial commitments either, so s drop in pay hasn't really mattered.

You're not washed up!

Thanks so much to you all for replying! It's so good to hear from those who have taken time out to look after DCs and gone on to rewarding careers. I have a degree in Psychology, but that's pretty useless on its own 😂 so yes I would need to do further study.
I totally see your point that I've got another 26 years to work! I certainly don't want to be sat at home when the children are all teenagers. Time to start looking at voluntary work and study i think! Thank you.

You might want to browse on here to help your thinking. You can also speak to a careers adviser:

nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/

We moved back to the UK last year as dh retired at 58. I'm 54, with a degree and a PGCE, but haven't worked, apart from GCSE examining and team leading for 13 years, as we were abroad. I've applied for 6 jobs since I've been back, and have had two interviews, with another this month, and am waiting to hear back from another job. I need to work for 6 years to have a full 35 years NICs for my state pension.

Give it a go and be selective about what you apply for. You never know!!

Forgot to link this:

www.gov.uk/masters-loan/apply

I know how you feel. Although I’ve continuously worked apart from maternity leaves i spent 7 years while the kids were younger working as a waitress several evenings a week.
I’m 40 this year and although I have an admin job I like with a team I love I would like to create more of a career for myself. As I’m currently furloughed I have been able to sign up for some free courses so am just about to start a PRINCE2 course worth my local college.
I reasoned I’ve got 25-30 years of working life left so really want to try and get somewhere. I dropped out of uni so find that to be my major stumbling job for jobs I know I could do with my eyes closed!!

I initially worked for 10 years but then gave up my first career when I had my children and didn't work for 12 years. I then went back to studying and have worked for over 16 years in a second career. During the 12 years as a SAHM, I did wonder if I would ever work again! It was tricky ( especially as a single parent) but worth the effort!