HELP! I'm stagnating!

[crystaltips]

Help! I need inspiration! I'm in a rut and I don't know which way to turn.
Pre-kids I was in a fairly stressful job - but really enjoyed it.
I then packed in work for 5 years to look after the kids - and it's a decision that I am/was really comfortable with.
Now however - my brain needs a kick start and I don't know what to do .... work or education ?
My kids are 7 and 9 and I have between 9 and 3 to occupy myself! There is a limit to how many times I can go to the gym and "lunch"
Any bright ideas please ?!?

i too was in this posistion and i have been doing an ou course which is very enjoyable and you can do it when the kids are in bed and you do not have to be at a college for set hours. I also took a part time job that was interesting but not too stressfull and i enjoyed having work collegues and the feeling of doing something. think about doing a bit of both

Hi Crystaltips - I was also going to suggest an Open University course. You can do them for fun (although they can get additive) or you can do them to further your educattion, change career or direction. Check out their website. There's loads of choice. Then, of course, there's paid employment - but you could do a bit of both. That's all. Must get back to my OU studies (albeit delayed for a year).

Our local university is crying out for mature students. I'm going to start a course then when youngest starts school. Parent-friendly hours, you start at 10 am and finish at 3 pm. Is this something you could do?

Thanks for the replies - How much does all this cost ? Any ideas

If you are on any kind of benefit you can do evening classes for free providing they are not GCSE or other qualification. Other than that most p/t classes are reasonable, about £75 where I am.

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If you're interested in pregnancy and babies you could train with NCT as an antenatal teacher, a breastfeeding counsellor or a postnatal leader. Or do all three! I think you have to contribute something financially to the AN course but the others are free. Phone no for is NCT 0870 444 8707 or there may be something here about NCT training.

To train as an Antenatal teacher you contribute 20% of the cost - but I don't know what the cost is! You do need to be a member. If you ARE an NCT member, your local branch probably needs volunteers. I do all the publicity posters, fliers, event programmes, branch leaflet and co-edit the branch newsletter. Keeps me busy and (supposedly) stops me chatting on the PC too long...

I studied with Oxford Brookes by distance learning and it cost about £500 for the year which I think is very cheap.