Please help me make a decision I cant do it alone!

[happyhappymummy]

Im a single mum to 3 children and this september my youngest starts school.
Im a stay at home mum. I find it hard being at home.
I have no qualifications and no proper working experience as I have been home with my children.
I so want to work but as a single parent need a good income as I cant rely on the ex as he has completely turned his back financially. He pays maintenance, very little. So much has happened over the last 2 years, I cant ever rely on him for anything.
I have the opportunity to study in september but Im unsure what to do. I have always wanted to be a midwife but never thought I was academic enough. Iv looked into an access course and it seems pretty intense.
Iv also looked into beauty therapy but people say Im too old. Im 34. They say its about getting a job at the end that matters, which it most definitely is as this is my last chance to study. I have to work after as I will have a mortgage to pay.
I know it should be my choice but I just want to make the right decision. I honestly dont know what to do. If I could work tomorrow I would but with my background no one is going to give me that chance.
I was wondering if anyone could advise me (help me make a decision) as Im at a crossroads in my life and feel its such a big decision I have to make. My family depend on me, me alone now.

First thing, 34 is young. Who are these people who say you are too old? Friends and family? Ignore.

You will be doing this potentially for the next 30 years so don't let any loose comments like you're too old, you're too this or that deter you.

Get the last dates for all form submissions that interest you and then take all that time to think and discuss and think again.

Since you are thinking about them, they are probably both valid options for you. Don't think anything is too academic - you'll probably do fine. Mature students are known to do well as they take things more seriously. Maybe spend time with people on the job (not quite sure how to do that - maybe ask around your contacts) to see it firsthand and know which you prefer. List out pros and cons (time to become earning, prospects in future etc).

Btw, I have a friend who runs a beauty parlour from her house and times it round her kids. Works well and she earns well too. Another I know runs a parlour outside a mall and has just opened a second one at another location. She is more a business woman now - but very hands on still. Loads of prospects in both I would say.

Write down all your thougths and I'm sure you can work it out.

Thankyou for your reply SweetGrapes. Really appreciate it :)
To some this is trivia but to me its big.
Yes my sister mainly has said Im too old and to do an access but shes more academic than me and did better at school than me and also has more support than me.
This is true I have another hopefully 30 working years in me.
The degree will be shifts and being alone parent I wonder how I will manage.
The beauty I could work around family commitments, like your friend. Well done to her btw, thats fab!
Its hard to work along side a midwife but Iv asked alot and shockingly theres alot of midwives that want a career change. A very rewarding but tiring job, especially being alone parent. Just something that Iv always thought of as being a very rewarding career.
Although I feel a beauty therapist can have job satisfaction also and I feel I could be good at this.
Thankyou so much I feel alot better now.
Im going to the open day next week but I really do have to make a decision to make sure I get in.
Thanks again :)