Oh, someone help me sort my life out! Its all such a complicated minefield, and I just want everything to be sorted

[mustrunmore]

Ok, the simple background is that I'm a SAHM, dc 3 and 5. Had intended to stay off work till ds2 was full time school, but now I cant do that.

I dont want to return to the field I was in pre-kids. I'd love a very physical job. I'm even happy to work in an apprenticeship tpye thing, or be on a training course if I could get a grant for it, as that'd still be better than I am now. But I do need to fit in with school hours as much as possible, and ds2 is still only 2.5hours a day at nursey, so if I pay childcare it needs to be worthwhile. But I want a 'proper' job that I feel proud of, not a crappy thing that makes me miserable and look stupid, iyswim

Also looks like I'm gonna need to apply for income support whilst I get work sorted.

Anyone really up to date on the process and options? Please?!

No idea tbh, but if no one more knowledgable comes along, try making an appointment at local job centre. I ve found them to be very helpful in general - they should be able to advise on benefits (like help with childcare) and about opportunities for apprenticeships etc. (My only gripe was that they encouraged me to go on benefits and "dont worry about working til dd is 12" - cause Im a lone parent. Once they understood that this was not something I would consider, they were amazing help)

lol, i dont think thats quite what they're supposed to say . Thanks though, am already planning on that this week, subject to lurgy clearing up in all the mrm family!

Could you train as a fitness instructor of some kind? My friend has just qualified as a pilates instructor. I think she can pick and choose her hours around private clients / classes?

lol. would love love love that. But its £3000 fees for personal trainer. Also, I'd need to wait till ds2 was full time, else the childcare would be huge. Its week on week off 40 days, but that all adds up. I havent found anything anywhere that says I could get any funding for either the course or the childcare. Studio instructor is £800 and shorter course, but I have no rhythm or coordination

Would you consider gardening? Starting off low key here and there and word soon gets around and you can do as much or as little as you want. I started doing some work for a friend with a bad back and very soon had enough work for 3/4 days a week and could have had more very easily.
It was certainly physical!

Thought of something else about the gardening. All the clients I worked for knew I didn't work in school holidays so that helped loads!

Yes, gardening's a good one (although seasonal?) - there must be loads of stressed out WOHMs like me who can't keep on top of the gardening (not overly helped by the lawn mower keeling over half way through this avo ) and who would love to help a MNer out. I'd struggle with no gardener for the summer hols but would be fine otherwise.

Thanks tribpot! When I was gardening I was cutting grass and clearing leaves right through the autumn and winter so really it can be all year.

Gardening appeals, but I dont drive, so would rely on people having all their own tools! A friend just got a park keeper job, but they're like golddust

Then you need to learn to drive! Am always amazed by MNers who can't. Admittedly there may be no car to drive but you are imposing some severe limits on what you can do - think about it.

Why amazed? I cant speak German either, or play football.
I had some lessons at 17 that put me off alot. Now we're £300 overdrawn every month, so driving lessons would be ridiculous.

Hi mustrunmore, MACKIE9117 here but I've changed my name. I did use the clients tools whenever I could so it might be possible to do local jobs .

postie? looked at your profile and imagine in london driving not an issue - round here they walk to the depot to get their trolley thing.

handywoman/DIY? - bike with thing on the back for your kit?

windowcleaner...tho not sure about transporting a ladder lol

oh just realised this thread is a week old sorry