Is there anybody out there who has managed to successfully switch careers after having a baby and how did you do it?

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Well is there? I would love to hear any stories - good and bad. This is afollow on from my last thread "Decisions Decision!" (sorry can't do a link)

Just bumping this in case anyone has any other thoughts/ideas

I haven't but my sister was in the police force for 10 years until she had her DS1. She did some evening classes a few years later and when her DS2 started school she started a degree course and is now a teacher. She was lucky to have our parents living very nearby to help with childcare before and after school. She certainly enjiys teaching more than policing (although sometimes, they're very similar )

I know I want to work with children, but I have no idea where to start. I'm registered as a childminder but I'd love to run a baby activity or music class, but to do childcare courses you need nursery experience - which will be a pain to get as I'd have to put ds in a nursery to get it!

haven't read all the messages, but in answer to the question, yes! Had been miserable working in FE/HE as a lecturer for years, took long mat leave, started p/t mgmt studies postgrad course when ds was 5 mths - it was such a lifeline for me, gave me a purpose other than being a mum and gave me a way out of teaching that I hadn't had the confidence to take when in f/t work. 1 yr later i moved into completely different area of work - gen mgmt, have moved on again since and am still so grateful for the opport to have done the course and where it took me. i think many employers are open-minded about this, especially if you can show you have committed to finishing a course while busy with a new child - shows dedication, multi-tasking skills etc as well as the obvious new skills acquired by taking a new course. HTH someone take the plunge anyway. Only thing I would say is that reality did set in - I guess for me making such a radical career change did raise my expectations hugely and obviously no career/employer is perfect. i'm getting itchy feet to change still, but not so radical as switching careers, more in the sense of achieving the best worklife balance i can (which unfortunately had been the only advantage for me of teaching).

It's really hard to know where to begin isn't it? I don't know what I want to do (I know what I don't want to do though!) been at home for 2.5 years and I am desperate to do some part time work (mentally and financially)....where to begin? There appear to be absolutely NO jobs whatsoever in Brighton!!

I used to work for a global blue chip company and even working part time was hard with children. I left 3 years ago and now teach Kindermusik - its great running my own business and seeing the kids develop through music. Even with the number of classes I run, I am still always around for my children. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a stimulating job that pays pretty well and who wants to be with their children aswell. For more info - www.kindermusik.co.uk

I switched from working in the pharmaceutical industry to teaching. It was helped by only having to do the PGCE, as I had my degree already. And I did the PGCE part time which helped to fit it around the demands of the kids and the house etc

HMB - do you teach where your children go to school - otherwise how do you do pick up/drop offs?

I went from being an HR Manager to being a teacher too. Did the PGCE course at Jordanhill for a year, started when dd was 8 months. Hard work trying to do it all, and dh was working away for 2 of those months. However, with the support of a fabulous friends I made on the course, and of course dh, I came out with the best grade you could get! Wish I had done as well at uni the first time around- too many distractions and time then.
Still working away as a teacher!

No my kids go to a different school, I teach in secondary anyway and my two are still little.

I have (dons asbestos clothing) put mine in a private school that has pre and post school care as part of the deal. I drop them at 8 and get to my school by 8.30. I finish at 3 and they finish at 3.30 so I pick them up on time most days.
When I have a meeting they go to creche and/or clubs like Brownies, sports etc that are run in the school. I get one pick up and ane drop off and the kids get a bit of time to play with their mates

Left hard core city job as soon as became pregnant as didn't want to perform the juggling have seen elsewhere. Now doing PhD and paying thru the nose for childcare, is fairly horrendous financially but hopefully worth it long term. Will pursue research interests thru freelance writings etc, but none will pay well so DH will have to support me during first yr (all childcare suring studying paid for from my savings).

HoHum, would love some money but don't want to get rushed back into long hours etc and lose home life.

Sammac glad to see you were successful in your change of career. I've applied to Jordanhill still waiting to see if I have an interview they said they have had 800 applicants so I'm not hopeful.