Do you ever wonder what you are going to do with your life when your children start school?

[Fio2]

Long title I know

But after being a sahm for 6 years nearly and I have another year at home, i just feel at a loss what to do. I keep looking through the paper at jobs and looking at college courses and nothing really inspires me. i have done some short courses and I enjoy textile work immensley but I dont know how and if I would carry that on into a prefession. I feel tied to looking after the children (even though I love them!) even when looking at other things to do. i feel as lost now as what to do as when i left school.

Does anyone else feel odd and a bit well useless, lost your identity? or is it just me?

ps. i know this is not a major problem, just want to discuss it......and wouldnt mind being bossed around as what to do

I have been watching this thread with interest as I am in the same position and like sewing/embrod etc. I love the artwork on the link from Enid - if i wanted to do something like that what course should i be looking for? Is it textiles and should I be coming to you fio2?

NCT sales sometimes let vendors come and sell new goods (like shoes, etc.). That would be a good place to take some of your home-made clothes & sell them. You could also try selling some of them on here, too, you know, captive audience!!

I would think if you advertised at nurseries & schools or dance classes, you'd get lots of people who would like you to do dress- or costume-making. I'm hopeless at that kind of thing, I'd pay for that sort of service!

What you could do is make a list of ideas -- & try them out, one at a time, on a small scale. If you really enjoy something & you think it might be profitable, then keep doing that.

Tell you what I'd buy... nifty pattern fitted sheets with pillowcases (or bedspreads). Tasteful and handsome, alluring patterns.

Oh PLEASE - do you really need ideas of what to do with your fre time??

Well it was a lovely, supportive and inspiring thread 'til that last post.

Fio, go for it - the workshops I mean. It would be such a boost to your confidence.

DH (a SAHD) is going to devote himself to winning the big prizes in the various fantasy football games. He missed out on £1,500 on Saturday by only 2 points - came third out of about 100,000 people!

what do you mean shirley?

no i will go to greece shirley that will keep my occupied

Haven't had time to read all posts, but I was in this position last Sept. Couldn't understand what SAHMs with kids at school did all day!! However, now I don't know where the time goes! We got a puppy in oct so I spend a lot of time walking, but still the day is pretty short. Maybe get involved with the PTA at school. You will also get to know other mums who are also around all day and find stuff in common.
My dh was kind enough to say to make the most of the free time and not feel any pressure to do anything for a while after working so hard for 7yrs with kids around all day!
Have to say am now pg again - not through boredom, honest, but having some space is a good time to reassess your life....

Now read posts - it sounds like you've answered your own question and I have to say I fancy joining you...!

Puffthemagicdragon - I too am a teacher, and have been lucky enought to do bits of supply at the kids' school which is perfect if I start feeling bored, but agree that despite appearances it is far from the perfect parenting job! What patience would I have at the end of the day to hear my own kids read when I'd done 30 already that day?!....I also used to work in the eves until midnight some nights, and a large part of the holidays!

So think twice if you're one of the many Mums who fancy retraining as a teacher because of the hours and holidays.....

ignore shirleyvalentine - she hasnt read the thread at all if she thinks you want a 'nice little hobby'

go for it fio - you are talented and young enough to really make a go of it

I'd like really attractive, funky embroidered/printed/ towels and bath linen please Fio! I think you could really be on to something here.

You could spend your freetime at waitrose and lakeland

Fio2 - if you make anything cute and babysized I bet a ton of mothers on here would buy it

I don't suppose I've ever been a strict SAHM, for one me and dp rely on my income as well as his. After maternity leave I got a job doing 16 hours in a supermarket (evenings and weekends) which I hate but still do because we need the money.

I'm also a childminder, I plan to give up the evening job when I have enough mindee.

I'm also an Usborne books organiser. I plan to do that around minding, also to the parents of mindees!

Sad thing is, I love keeping busy, and while I love being at home with ds I just can't justify - to myself - just being at home. Even if dp could support me entirely financially I'd still be childminding. When ds (and any future lo's) go to school though if I still am a CM I'll be able to be there whenever he needs me, if I found out I couldn't, I'd change it so I could be.

I agree finding a balence that works for you is the most important thing. I became self employed as a management consultant and coach when our boys were small as I was fed up with corporate life and becoming chronically overstretched . I still work about as hard but I can take time off in holidays and am always able to do school events and see my boys when they are at home. Am very happy with my life as, although I have to drum up my own work I still work with lots of interesting people but am not tied to standard hours.

um, celebrate!
cruel mother
no, go to the gym, have lots more me time. put more hours in my business.
can't wait - as long as he is happy there

you could start making things with textiles, selling them at craft fairs... do some more short courses.. take it as it comes

I seem to be the opposite to you, as I managed to carry on my corporate marketing role (albeit part-time)for 5 years after my first child. It's now she's at school I find that the demands are greater - DD loves me to collect her from school, help out in her class a couple of times a term, come to assemblies etc etc etc. I now run my own business, www.idealpresent.co.uk (check it out please if you buy presents for children aged 0-11 ever!) - but it's given me flexibility to use my brain, whilst giving time to my two girls (now expecting another at end of July). I'm also press officer for our local church, so manage to keep my marketing skills going to a certain extent! I have to say, that unless I had the business as something that's "mine", I think I would go mad, feel I'd lost my identity, all of those sorts of things.....

Maybe you can try a job which involves your interest.I am on maternity leave at the momemt and am going back to work in 5 wks after 26 wks break. I am lucky that I can work 6am til 9am,that way I get rest of day to do what I want. I have to go back to work to pay bills. I cant see how people can afford to stay at home, also I want to pay into my pension scheme. Given the choice I would still work if I didnt need to, I enjoy being me as well as a mum.

I'll take a mornning lover ps must make it clear I don't have a dh dp db or significant other!!!!!!