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Original poster

HELP! WHAT SHALL I DO??????

19 replies

JSEA · 18/09/2008 11:11

I have having a really wobbly phase in my life. My DD2 is due to start school in January and my role of 11 years as a SAHM will end. I have real mixed feelings about it. The thing causing me most stress is what i am going to do. I used to be a teacher but was so glad to stop doing that when I had kids because I didn't really enjoy it (although I used to kid myself I did)and I am reluctant to return to it. I will be out of touch with current practices etc anyway. I only want to do part time hours to fit round school runs. I realy would like a career change but feel so uncertain and insecure about my future. I have lost a lot of confidence too and heave bouts of depression, but i think work would probably help that. Can anyone help?:-(

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MmeLindt · 18/09/2008 11:13

If you are feeling so unhappy about going back to teaching then I think that you have to look for a less stressful job. I am not a teacher but I do think that you have to have quite strong nerves to teach.

Do you have any interests or hobbies that you could imagine turning into a job?

PlebGoober · 18/09/2008 11:13

Can't help, but will watch with interest, as I have been a SAHM for 14 and that will end next year.

Original poster

JSEA · 18/09/2008 11:32

Thanks for answering.I don't really have any other skills. I like being with people and can imagine doing something less stressy but people focussed. I don't have any trade skills or anything though.

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Original poster

JSEA · 18/09/2008 11:32

God I have been so wrapped up in my kids that i don't even know what I am interested in anymore!!!

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MmeLindt · 18/09/2008 11:42

Well, perhaps you could start by concentrating on yourself. Have a look at the local college to see if there is a course that you might be interested in. Consider anything from origami to motor mechanics, just to get out of the house.

You might not get a job out of making origami elephants but it will boost your selfesteem to have completed a course and give you some ideas.

mistlethrush · 18/09/2008 11:46

I have a number of friends through Pampered Chef who have been in precisely your situation - they have found that PC gives them confidence, time with people, and control over what they are doing. Many of them started it as a hobby and have found that it has snowballed and is now a 'proper' job - two shows a week with PC is considered 'full-time', and can give you reasonable earnings - but it stil allows you to do everything you want to do with dcs...

Let me know if you would like any further info...

Original poster

JSEA · 18/09/2008 11:54

Hmmm Thanks for your replies. Food for thought.I have been looking at a cermics course so I might go ahead with that. Need to collect DD2 from preschool now but will be back later. Thanks again

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Original poster

JSEA · 18/09/2008 16:16

I think it's difficult to break into a new career when you are only wanting part time hours. Is there anybody out there who has managed to achieve that? i am not sure sales would really do it for me. I have considered Virgin Vie, Usbourne Books etc before but selling isn't something that would come naturally to me. I feel awkward enough doing a car boot!

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mistlethrush · 19/09/2008 09:04

I don't sell PC products - I do something else as my main job, and am certainly not a salesperson. I demonstrate the things that I use in my kitchen - and to be honest, anything that I do not enjoy using etc, I basically don't sell as I don't usually demonstrate it!

It's really interesting to talk to some of the people that do PC, quite a number of whom start out really shy, thinking that they could never stand up and talk about things in front of people. The equipment is so great that all you need to do is talk about how you find it - which makes it so much easier. And there is lots of support and training (free or low-cost) that also assists.

The other good thing is that there are no deliveries to do - hosts do this, and all host gifts are done through PC - it doesn't come from your commission.

MrsJamin · 19/09/2008 14:06

JSEA, ex-teachers can do lots of things, you have so many skills. What about doing a return-to-teach course (they pay you and even pay for childcare if you need any) and teaching adults at a college?

pop1973 · 19/09/2008 19:25

JSEA I am in exactly the same position as you, my little one has gone off to school and I am looking to getting back into work or do a hobby.

I have been out of teaching for 5 years and am looking for something that it part-time to fit in with school hours.

I am having a problem getting hold of references that are still Headteachers as most have retired and no longer in contact for me to use.

I still don't know if I am going into teaching again or to get something else that is part time.

Redwood · 19/09/2008 19:36

mistlethrush, i'm considering taking on selling PC, do you thing it's posible to do only day time shows? As I want to be home in the evenings? Before SAHM I was in sales and pretty successful so it seems the best thing for me to get back to as I feel I could sell it....anyone else have any day time sales job ideas?

Original poster

JSEA · 19/09/2008 20:56

pop1973, I had the same problem with head teachers and references. Mrs Jamin, I have looked into doing a returners course, but I would wait until DD2 is in full time school to do that. She has a term of being mornings only first to break her in. I guess I would get an idea from doing the course whether it's something that feels right to me or not. I'm still not convinced I'm driven enough to stick with teaching. I wondered about being a teaching assistant or something too just to get back in the classroom and see how things have changed and if I like the environment or not. Really I'd like to have a skill or talent that is highly marketable and would earn me lots of money working 10am -2pm term time only!!! Unfortunately i don't so i have to join the real world.

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Original poster

JSEA · 19/09/2008 21:00

Redwood, I think there are lots of companies around which you could sell for. I always see people with stalls at school events, toddler groups, music groups etc in the daytime. Mini IQ have nice stuff for kids, Phoenix Cards and the others I mentioned earlier like Virgin Vie and Usbourne Books. Perhaps i should try doing that and see how I like it. See how sharp my decision-making skills are these days???

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mistlethrush · 22/09/2008 10:09

Redwood - yes, I think that it would be possible, although probably not usual - you would have to 'design' your business to do coffee-time shows etc. You might find it easier to get started doing a combination and then 'specialising'.

Do you have a PC consultant that you have talked to - if not, I'd be happy to have a chat with you and give you more info.

mumnosbest · 24/09/2008 17:51

I'm an SEN teacher whose had a career change. I'm now a SAHM and childminder. You could always try supply teaching, no commitment, less paperwork, easy step back into teaching... or how about working for a local children's centre as an advisory teacher, usually part-time and much more fun. You also get to work with parents and community.

Original poster

JSEA · 25/09/2008 09:07

Thanks mumsnobest.I still feel lacking in confidence for any kind of teaching. I might just have to wait till dd2 is full time in school and do a refresher course. At least there are options with teaching other than classroom teaching. I found FT teaching so consuming that I can't imagine doing it now I have a family. It does have advantages with the school holidays too. I am so dithery about it all!

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mumnosbest · 25/09/2008 12:12

You're welcome and all the best.Sure something will come up!

Angela1982 · 26/09/2008 18:19

Have you thought about Usborne books?? I have a 2 year old DD and I find that I can take her with me during the day, thus solving childcare issues. She loves meeting new friends.

I don't find that I have to "sell" as the books sell themselves. I just go along (usually get a cuppa and a biscuit - sometimes you get even yummier treats!) and I let people look through my books, I let them know what the specials are and then just enjoy the conversation and answer any questions that need answering.

You can do daytimes, evenings, weekends - what ever suits you.

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