I have the opportunity to leave teaching and open a small tearoom.

[HarrySnotter]

A lot of work I know. Nothing fancy, soups and rolls/toasties/jacket spuds fancy homemade cakes etc during the winter time and lighter bits and pieces in the summer. Would do pensioner and toddler specials (the location is in a park which is packed with parents and toddlers during the summer). I would open Sunday morning for the football games in the park and serve sausage/bacon rolls. Am I completely off my head and living in cloud cuckoo land to even consider this?

I think you are asking the wrong question, try:
If I don't give it a go, will I regret not trying?

Sounds as if you can go back to teaching if it doesn't work out, so maybe give yourself a year to try, then make the decision as to whether or not you continue.

I work in catering OP and it is hard work and can be stressful at busy times. So don't assume it is going to be easy and stress free. If you love cooking and don't mind the cleaning and hygiene side and would enjoy interacting with the customers it may suit you better than teaching.

Go for it, speaking as someone who'd give my right arm a tea room in the park, especially now so we could go and warm up with hot chocolate and a bun

Go for it. Teaching will always be there if you need it.

Actually I think your circumstances, make it sound more manageable than most. If think seriously about what you would lose.
(Reliable regular income, holidays, status, pension contributions etc)
If you don't enjoy it, could you walk away from investment (both financially and emotionally?)

What would it give you? (Freedom from observations/current toxic environment, opportunities to bake etc)

Are there opportunities to get what you want in a different way, without so many losses? Or with different losses that feel more palatable? (E.g. working in a different school, supply, different job entirely)

Could it be a bridge or first step to something else?

I don't know about your area of the country but where I am I could get another teaching job tomorrow so it wouldn't be bridges burnt.

Write some pros/cons/alternatives down and come back to them after a night's sleep?

Have you ever waited tables or worked in catering? I have done all kinds, from events to cafes to high end restaurants. I’m SO glad I did, as I learned so much and one of the things I learned is that some people are just brilliant at hospitality, a born gift AND a lot of skills, and some aren’t. My many friends who met who are brilliant at it all work in the sector in some business-owning way and love it. By the time I did my last job (couple of nights a week in a gastric pub to supplement day job) I was obviously a really competent, able waitress/bartender with tonnes of experience, but I also knew how backbreaking being a good owner is, and that if you’re not always there, standards drop pretty quickly.

Having said that, if you have the chance, your kids are old enough for it, the money’s not an issue and you hate your current job, go for it! Even if you do it for a year and loathe it, what a story to tell when you’re old! Don’t look back and regret the chance you missed.

A gastric pub GASTRO pub. GASTRO.

I love this idea, baking is something I love so I'd be happy with that part. Dealing with arsy and entitled customers, not so much fun. Try and speak to someone already doing something similar.

Then, my love, given all that...

WTAF are you waiting for 🤣😂🤣😂

☕️🍰☕️🧁☕️🥗☕️🍔☕️🥧☕️🍦

Seriously, hand in your notice.

Your DH supports you leaving, actively wants you to leave and earns enough money for you not to be worried.

Check out the lease and if you aren’t going to be tied into a long lease then give it a go.

Discuss with DH a budget that you both feel is reasonable to get it off the ground and give it a go.

You can always do something else if you don’t like it...maybe even return to teaching if you get your mojo back. Let’s face it, there’s no shortage of teaching jobs. Or you might enjoy tutoring. Who knows what other opportunities might come your way?

It’s worth throwing a few thousand into a dream. It’s cheaper than a holiday!

It sounds like you don't want to open the weekend. Isn't that an issue? Could be a lease requirement ?

Go for it. I would if I were younger.

The tea room where I live is top on trip advisor where I live and has been for 5 years! My chef ds starts a job there next month.
Everything is cooked from scratch on site.
Good luck op.

A friend of mine left teaching to bake and prepare similar foods in a tearoom. She loves it and would never return to the classroom.
I wish you every succeess with your new venture.

@Nativityriot. I used to run a pub many moons ago, I love dealing with people. 😊

I would definitely open weekends - I mentioned Sunday because the park in which the premises are situated is completely taken over by kids football matches so that would be a really good earner I think.

Just do it - can I come and be your washer upperer.

@Detoxpup

Absolutely!!

I would leave teaching today if we could afford it.....I literally hate each and every day! Your teaching qualification won't go anywhere, you can always go back if you need to.

An ex colleague did just this. It was a huge success and after about five years she has sold the tearoom and retired. Several other colleagues also went to work for her to escape the classroom! Go for it!

Go for it. It sounds as though you have most angles covered.

Oh then definitely go for it! That is key information!