Talk me down about enjoying what I do and being happy

[whinetime89]

Slightly outing but here go's.
I am based in Australia for reference.
I am early 30s and am a single mum to 3 kids.
I am a Speech Pathologist and have done a post grad degree in Autism assessment and diagnosis.
I absolutely love my job, have my own practice, have a waitlist up to my eye balls but am never content and cannot sit still (I was diagnosed with ADHD last year which is where I think the problem lies).
I am seriously considering studying a bachelor of medicine and specialising in Paediatrics. There is a massive shortage of paediatricians where we live and I am constantly having difficulties of referring clients (privately the wait is 8+months).
I know applying for this degree is madness www.uwa.edu.au/study/courses/doctor-of-medicine
I cannot stop thinking about it. I know I would be loading myself with debt when I make a really good living. The uni is an hr from my home which would be a commute with children and my ability to work in my clinic would be limited however I cannot stop thinking about making the change.

Doctors- please tell me I am mad and this would be an absurd thing to do at this stage in my life.

Apply.

If you get in, re- evaluate

It really comes down to the issue that it will be ten years before you will be ina position to do the dream job part, at least, and that with no experience other than training. Can you continue to support your family, and be able to work regular night shifts, long days, and overtime with your current child care arrangements, and fund yourself, kids and house with no income during the uni stage?

Learning to value what you have is different from pursuing new things. You can do both, but from what you describe, you may find yourself deeper into the new than learning appreciation for the present and past. I’d suggest talking this through with your doctor, and maybe a therapist/coach with an understanding of ADHD.

I also work in a profession which takes many years' training. When I started speculating about training for a different one, a good friend of mine suggested that I needed to work in the specialism within my existing profession closest to the one that I had thought about retraining for. They aren't particularly close but she was absolutely right and I'm now happy in my work. To be honest, you sound a bit bored and the change sounds not particularly well thought out.

I think your children would miss out hugely. You should of thought of this before becoming a mum of 3.

I'm not sure what Australian training is like, but it would be 13+ years of full time work in the U.K. before you hit the sweet spot where you had some control over your life again.

If that sounds worth it, then go for it.

One of the issues with ADHD is this restlessness and wanting to leap from one thing to another without proper thought. Sit down with someone else who is very grounded. Go through all the pros and cons, money, childrens outcomes etc and be realistic about the future. Being a paediatrician is not an easy job at all, but can be very rewarding.

You're mad, and this would be an absurd thing to do at this stage in your life.

Hope that helps!

I’m a doctor and started medical school as a mature student. I’m not sure I would do it again. There are YEARS (about 15 years being a student & until you’re consultant level) where you have little control over your life (ie where you work, when you work) and are treated like crap. It’s hard enough to do without kids. With kids it’s years of struggle to just keep things afloat.