WWYD?

[NowtonTelly]

I am 33 yrs old, and have 2 children (aged 5 yrs and 1 yr).
I work full time, but have decided to retrain, which means leaving my job (contract ends at Christmas anyway) and going back to study for one year full time from January.
I have got on to the course, so I was all set for a new year, new start etc.

I found out yesterday I am pregnant. Unplanned and I am in shock, but excited all the same. I have no idea how to proceed re: my studies, though. Realistically, I suppose I should defer until the following year if possible, but I feel so disheartened at the idea . I have worked damn hard to get on to the course and am so excited about it. That coupled with the fact that I am not getting any younger and need to get going if I'm going to make this career change.

Would I be completely crazy to continue with my course? Term ends at the end of May, when I would be very heavily pregnant, and starts again mid Sept, when I would be only 2 months post-natal (and post-section). The workload won't be light. I already have two children.

Arghhh. WWYD?

If I wanted both of those things enough - baby plus course then I would find a way to do it.

What does your partner think?

Personally I would defer for a year. You're only 33 years old - with another 32 working years to go so don't put too much pressure on yourself with 3 young kids, one being a new born baby & study.

I'm also going back to college and was tempted to go next September for a 2 year course when my 2nd DC would be less than 6 months old. But I've decided to defer for a year for the same reasons (I'm a few years old than you). Think of it in terms of 1 year out of your life for raising your baby out of 32 years in your new career..

Go for it, If your contract wasnt ending then you would still be working full time. Which is hard work with two young ones and being pregnant. So go for it i would.

Beanigan - I am trying to think myself into this mind set, but it's hard! I'm a very impatient person...I want everything NOW

jbambie - very true. I have been working at full throttle since my youngest was 5 months old - nights, weekends, very demanding and complex work - and have managed OK.

My main worry is about how I will be able to cope towards the end of my pregnancy and, I suppose, how understanding the university are going to be....