At crossroads with work - can you help me choose?

[SarahJessicaParker1]

I currently work part time as we have small dcs and no help with childcare.

We have enough money now to put dcs into childcare full time from Easter, so I can go full time, which is what I want to do.

My dilemma is whether to stay in my current industry to go full time (I'll call this option 1). It would mean evening and weekend work, so we would have far less family time. Salary would be decent (by my standards).

Option 2 is to retrain as an apprentice. I was offered an apprenticeship last year but couldn't take it. Hours would be MUCH better and potentially, it could lead to a good career (but a few years in the future).

Option 3 is to find something related to my current job but with more sociable hours. It may be possible.

Option 4 would be to do Option 1 followed by Option 3; so go full time in my current industry and then try to find a job like Option 3.

WWYD?

I think you need to do what's best for you in the current moment. You say you want to go full time but you are also noting that Option 1 would give you less time with your DC. From that, I'm taking that although you want to work full time, you don't necessarily want to do loads of evening and weekend work.

So to me, it would seem to be either Option 2 (if the finances work out) or Option 3.

As Option 4 involves having to do Option 1 for a while. I feel like you might get used to the salary and then it might be harder to step away to Option 3 if it potentially involves a pay cut for better hours.

i think whatever you decide, don't think of it as a permanent, can't-ever-be-changed option.

I like the sound of option 2; it leaves all of the other options open too.