Feel unfullfield at my job have two kids, one starts school this year the other 18mnths, want to become teaching assistant and dont know what to do?

[wineyesplease]

Gave up working in a office when I had my second child, had a tough time with pregnancy and didn't want to go back as they were unsympathetic, working in eve's in a garage, I dont enjoy it and feel very unfullfilled, have two children one aged nearly 4 and one 18mnths. My dream is to become a teaching assistant when daughter goes to playgroup next September, am I being unresonable for feeling trapped if i stay or face doing my dream and incurring childcare costs, or continuing being miserable for the next couple of years in a job i hate, please advise.

Sounds like you must go for the TA role - job sounds horrible and without a future. And once dcs are in school it will be great to have all the holidays.

Thank you for responding it means alot xx

There may be free courses in your area which would help you get more info and experience before doing a formal TA qualification. Have a look around and see if there is anything starting in September. Some local councils and charities offer them and you may get childcare funded too, or ask at your local Surestart Children's Centre if they need volunteers.

Thank you Cyradistheseer,and Lizs I will follow up your advice as I really want to do this for me,and have never wanted anything in my life apart from my kids as this. thank you xx

Why do you want to be a TA, not a teacher, or anything else for that matter?

Doing a job you don't like is I feel not good for you. I was in that position a while back and I upped and left. I now do work I enjoy but won't ever make me a lot of money, probably won't even make me enough to buy a house.

I want to take one step at a time,haven't alot of confidence and I would like to see how i do then I will look at being a teacher, Im sorry to hear you were in those same circumstances I hope you are happy now. xx
I will never be in a postion to buy a house but I will do my best for me and my children and partner thats all I can do, all the best xx

In my opinion, life is too short to be miserable in your work IF you can see a way to do soemthing you would enjoy and keep a roof over your heads and food on the table. I speak from experience.

Very good idea to be a TA before looking into teaching.

Thank you Acinonyx, Your right life is to short to be miserable, but its hard to find a job in the evenings that you dont need child care for.
I am looking at the moment for another job as I need money as we all do, but I can work towards this in the meantime.xx

Look into what help you would get money wise if you were to become a full time student. You may find qualify for getting help with childcare costs for example. I expect that when you make enquiries about courses to become a TA you will be able to find out information relating to financial help.

Changing job was the best thing I've done. Hated working in an office, not sure I could ever do that again.

Do you want to be a primary or a secondary TA. Much easier to get a job in a secondary school I think. But not for everyone. Have you been into a school to see what it might be like?