so I've decided it's time to get myself back out there but where will I fit??

[mckenzie]

I left my job over 9 years ago now (sales/trading in City, busy, stressful) when pregnant with DC1 and I have happily been a SAHM since (now have DC2 also).

Both are now at school full time and I need something else. I need to have an identity now other than wife and mother, for my sake but also for the sake of my marriage and my family. I'm struggling to find the right area/areas to start looking so thought I would turn to wise Mumsnetters for some advice.

In an ideal world I would work

• part-time,
• locally,
• outside, at least partially, all weathers,
• in a team or at least with other people,
• using my skills (being well organised, being a doer not a procrastinator, friendly and a good communicator at all levels),
• in a role that has satisfactory pay levels but high levels of job satisfaction...

I am mid 40s with just an O level education and although I am very rusty work-wise i am a quick learner.

Any thoughts/ideas gratefully received.

TIA

Working in a garden centre?

thank you brennannbooth for the idea - I'm not very green fingered though to say the least. I barely know a rose bush from a daffodil bulb [embarrassed]

I suspect you don't have to be, I don't think a sales assistant starting in a hardware store has to already know all the different types of nails beforehand. I am sure you would be trained and you would swot up for interview anyway.

What about some kind of National Trust job?

Or a tourist guide?

Some kind of sports trainer/personal trainer?

De-clutterer?

Girl Friday?

Lollipop lady

thanks everyone. Sorry for responding late but I've been out . I shall have a ponder over all of the ideas tonight/tomorrow. I think I'll cross lollipop lady off straight away though. That's a bit too part time.

Hi mckenzie,

Have you considered starting your own business doing something like Direct Selling? I sell Usborne Children's books and it ticks a lot of your boxes - there are no targets you have to meet so you work as much or as little as you want, and it's VERY local! It can be outside doing stalls, you have a team of Usborne colleagues who although they all have their own businesses are there to support you and who will probably become good friends if my experience is anything to go by.

Being organised is pretty essential, as are your other strengths, and you get to meet lots of new people at parties, toddler groups, schools, fetes etc.

It's also very satisfying and you can get lots of free books for your family!

If you're interested drop me a line to [email protected] or have a look at my website for more info.

Good luck, whatever you hit on!

thanks MrsCMAW but that's not for me. I've realised, as I've considered all your ideas, that what is very important to me is being with other people.
I used to work on a loud busy trading floor and loved it - the large number of people, the comings and goings, the social interactions. That's what i'd like to find again, although not back in London with 7am starts thank you very much!
I'm off to adjust my list of priorities

Wedding or events organiser? Lots of tables and marquees to put up and lots to coordinate

How about a Police Community Support Officer?

Don't know if you can do it part-time but it would be local.

It would be outside a lot - ours tend to walk or ride around here.

Definitely a team job, probably has decent pay but I should imagine it has high levels of job satisfaction too.

Working with lots of people and working outside is a difficult combo though. Most jobs I can think of predominately outside also don't involve huge numbers of people. However the PCSO would perhaps?

How about teaching assistant/support worker of people with learning disabilities in a local college. Mine were advertising recently and many posts are 16 or 25 hrs a week term times and it looks like satisfying work. I often see them going round town with the students and for dinner etc.

sounds like you'd be great at running your own business.

I know someone with a similar background to yours who set up a cleaning business. She employs lots of part-time mums and always has more work than she has staff for.

Lancelottie - your idea has really got me thinking and quite excited . I'm a stickler for crossing the t and dotting the i so would perhaps be quite suited to something where the finer details are just as important as the larger ones.

Muddleduck - much as it has tempted me in the past, DH has his own business with nearly 50 employees and I think the hassle that brings with it is enough for one family. DH always set out to be his own boss and although he loves what he does, the stress is huge. I want to make sure that whatever role I take on still allows me to support DH emotionally.

Niecie/Jellybeans - I shall definitely be looking further into both of your ideas though too. Thanks again everyone.

I think I might have found it! My ideal job could be teaching year 6 children to pass their cycling proficiency test . Now how do I found out more about that I wonder? Off to e mail the lovely lady in the office at DC's school to find out where the ladies come from that do ours.

Um - I think that's a great idea, but I suspect the funding might potentially be for the chop.

However, I think it's organised by Cycling England as part of the Bikeability scheme.

Perhaps you could expand on that and add in scooter proficiency training?

Your post made me think about the article I linked to.

Could you help your DH in the business at all - and help to reduce his stress levels?

Another suggestion along the direct selling line - have you thought about Avon?

With Avon its FREE to join and you sell via the catalogue which you distribute to family/friends/at school/nursery/anywhere there's people really, as well as having your own "patch" locally if you wish.

In addition, to earn extra, you can build up and develop your own team. There are many incentives and bonuses along the way and a good rate of commission, and a very nice income is achievable if you are organised and driven (and you sound like you are) without detriment to your family life, as you work when YOU decide. (No 7am starts here either!)

Our highest earner Debbie Davis pulls in £250,000 per year (read her story here) ... the sky's the limit!

If you'd like more info about becoming a rep please don't hesitate to contact me 07989102877 or [email protected]

xx