Is it worth changing a career for me after having a DC2? (from city job to bookkeeping?)

[toja555]

I am 6 months pregnant with DC2 (DS is 2.4yo) and currently doing a 30k city job full-time. I am struggling to think how I will juggle with two DC and going back to work full-time again. Although my job is 9-5 and relatively easy, there will be no part-time option ? it is just not that type of job where part-time would be available.

I am in my early 30ies and have been envying to mums who can do part-time or work from home, giving more flexibility to fit it around children.

The only viable option for me seems to go into bookkeeping/accounting. I have very general skills in accountancy (I work on finance side) but no qualifications or experience. I don?t even know if I would like it even though I am very good in numbers. Is there any way I could try bookkeeping, for example, and then decide if I can go forward with it? Or should I just remain with my full-time current job, a safe option but no flexibility, and as such use full-time childcare for both children for foreseeable future?

Any advice please? P.S. My DH?s work is also non-flexible.

Have you thought about applying for finance-related jobs in the charity sector, they don't pay as well but you get treated fairly and can look at job shares/part time/flexible working.
Might also be worth looking at doing eg an evening course in book-keeping b4 you have child #2...you could go self employed so you'd be able to choose your hours.

Look at how your current skills can be 'transferred' across to other sectors by taking this 10 min online test - free to use as it's government funded:
www.venturenavigator.co.uk/skills
There are also lots of tips on starting your own business....give a try!

Bump

Basically the options for me are:

• Stay in the same job about forever, 9-5 FT hours, no much skill improvement, no career prospective, but stress-free job, not much mental commitment. Tied to London in commuting terms.
• Change a job within the same industry, be more challenged and perhaps more rewarded, but harder work, still tied to London in commuting terms.
• Change career to possibly bookkeeping, start everything from zero, but with a hope that I can work from home, fit hours around children, and be able to move anywhere! Sounds very attractive in long term, but is it really?

Lost my post there but basically I'd think abouut saeeing if you can do part time or a job share. Still has commute but wouldn't be 5 days a week.

I'd say go for bookkeeping, if you want to. Otherwise you will always wonder. You only have one life, you should take risks, puah yourself, do things that challenge you.

Lots of bookkeepers I know are doing badly at the moment as the business who use them are going under and slowing down.

It's a difficult one though - have you thought about teaching maths?