So...I'm 30, I've got 2 kids & a degree. I've never had a 'proper' job...

[IntergalacticHussy]

...Unless you count the admin/call centre stuff I did before dd1 was born.

I'm seriously thinking of applying to my local uni to do an MSc in Occupational Therapy (there was another thread about this the other day if it sounds familiar)

The thing is, I'd always imagined I'd have 3 dcs, and i'm struggling to see exactly how i'm going to manage this, given that my masters will take up two years, (starting next Feb if i'm accepted), then I'd like to work for at least another year after that, before taking maternity leave, which means I'd be nearly 34 by the time I'd be ready to have another baby. I know that's not ancient by anyone's standards, but dd1 would be nearly 8 and dd2 would be 4, and I'm not sure about the pros and cons of having them so spread out, and that's assuming dh and i don't have any problems concieving.

Or, I could put the whole idea of having a career on ice (again) and concentrate on getting knocked up (again) so the dds have a sibling closer in age to them than they would otherwise.

I know my problems are quite silly really but if anyone else has been grappling with similar stuff, or thinks they know what i should do, i'd welcome hearing about it.

am i on the right site?

i can't believe nobody on MN has an opinion on whether i should remain a SAHM or get back into the world work!!

Or maybe it's been done to death and you've all sworn off related threads?

world of work

Well.... If you can afford it and want no 3 I'd go for it

I don't see the point in putting it off and regreting it later

I'm sort of in the same boat. 30, 2 kids (5 and 3), good degree, might have more children. Would like to get back to work but the chances of finding a job that will fit around school hours are virtually zilch so I suspect I shall be unemployable by the time I can take a job which has longer hours. When youngest is at school I'm contemplating further qualifications in a specific area.

If you're dead keen to have 3 then I would go ahead and do it, and then focus seriously on your career. It isn't too late- but the longer you're out of the workplace the harder so I wouldn't hang about

Don't really understand what you're asking. No one can tell you what to do. Either have another baby now or go back to Uni and have one later. Only you know what is right for you.

Think you need to consider the kids/retraining/working full-time combo though. Could be a shock to the system if you've been a SAHM for the last few years.

twolittlemonkeys -it's hard, isn't it? i'm totally lost at the moment...

chupachups - i know that ultimately, i have to make the decision, it's just nice to get other people's experiences and opinions on the matter - kind of the point of mumsnet!

I would try to aim to have the baby in the middle of the MSc, you therefore have a guaranteed place to go back to and it is easier to then go straight from MSc into work than taking a year off at the end of it or soon after starting work. It might also work out better with respect to university fees. Universities are very good at working round these things, better than some work places. I teach on an MSc and this is not that uncommon or difficult for the university, so don't worry about that. Just an alternative, but it does allow you to get on the career path you want (a toehold) and have the spacing you want for your children.