People with kids - at what stage is it best to think about a career/job change?

[crazyhead]

I am late 30s and have been at my workplace for 10 years, and have progressed to a fairly senior management job. I've stayed because it is a lovely job with great colleagues and I get to work a four day week, including time from home. But I am a bit bored and would like to start the process of thinking through what I want next professionally - possibly even a complete career change. I don't want this comfortable job to be my story for the next 10 years.

I have kids of 18months and 3 years so life is really busy right now. I have just lost my Mum to cancer, which is another big thing to deal with right now, but is also a reminder not to procrastinate and to live life to the full (thank goodness, Mum did).

Has anyone been at the point of feeling this way and have some thoughts about what stage to start thinking about a change of career/direction? I was wondering whether to go in for careers counselling/life coaching to get me started and would welcome thoughts on that.

crazyhead, I'm in a similar position to you. I've been thinking about a career change for aaages but I'm not sure what I want to do. I have a 4yo and another on the way, so watching this thread with interest.

Hi,

I feel the same way. My children are 11 and almost 7. I have been in the same profession since I left university but, due to childcare issues, I have been unable to move up to the next grade.
I am trying to decide whether to go into teaching (FE - to teach stuff related to my profession, or primary). I have been offered a place on a PGCE for both. I keep procrastinating though as I just don't know what I want.
I changed jobs (same profession) 5 years ago as I wanted to be closer to home. I missed my old job and they can't take me back at the same level. My 'new' job has moved to another city and I find it very stressful with the commute and the nature of the job.
It's difficult isn't it? I feel like I would like to progress now my children are older but I also feel the need to change direction.

Sorry about your mum. My mum has terminal cancer so I know what you went through xxx

I would give yourself some proper time to grieve for your mum then decide about changing career. Sometimes the death of a loved one really shakes us and can rock your foundation.

I often harbor thoughts about changing career but then I think of having to train and study again and then starting on a low salary and the years spend having to reach the same pay I was already on factoring in the candidates who are fresh out of uni without childcare committments who i'll be competing with. Factor in having youngish kids, I realise i'm just to tired to consider it. If you have no issues with your workplace see if you can develop within your current role perhaps taking on a different workload or training

It is hard, isn't it? I feel as though I've taken the pragmatic option with my career so far which has been great in some ways but I just don't want to sacrifice everything to pragmatism for the next 20 years.

The trouble is, with young kids you sort of lose a sense of who you are a bit - hurdle number one.

I think you need to grieve properly before you make any rash decisions. Sure it seems tough carrying on as "normal" when a big part of your normality is gone- but I do think it's the best to carry on going for now. One foot in front of the other is all you need to concentrate on right now.

Thank you for your thoughts - really helpful x

I think it depends how important your salary is to your family finances. Retraining takes time and money, and then people forget that your first several years working in that new job can be low paid or sporadic. My husband jacked in his work to set up on his own three years ago and despite hard work he has earned in those three years about half of what he would have earned in one year of his previous job.