I'm a 35 year old mum of 4 and have no work history or experience in pretty much anything. I became pregnant in my teens and decided to be a stay at home mum, I've watched all my children grow and change, I have been there for all the major milestone and haven't missed one special event and I've loved ever single hard minute of it!
But now all my children are in school, I'm bored and a little lost. I've gone for a few nightfill jobs but with very little experience and no job history it's hard out there.
I would love a career in childcare but have heard it's a hard industry to get into with no experience at my age. I was thinking of doing Cert 3 via distance education but I've also heard getting a work placement at the end of the course was hard with no previous work history. I'm scared to death of failing.
My amazing husband has an amazing career, which he loves and I really want that for myself.
Ahhh.. Really don't know what I'm asking. Maybe I'm asking is it too late for me? I'm embarrassed that I've never worked full time and I sometimes think that my older children are too and maybe my husband.. ?
I want something in my life other then my children, cooking and cleaning. I really do love looking after my family, love doing all the little things that make our family and house better but I want more. I want to take back part of my life I gave to my husband and children a long time ago but I'm scared to death I've waited too long.
11 Replies
No it is not too late at all! I'd recommend a diploma as opposed to a cert 3 as there's more opportunities at the end :) you can do it via distance (online) and source placement yourself. What about being a teacher's aide?
You could try approaching a daycare centre and enquire about their minimum requirements eg. cert 3/diploma. Also find out if it's possible to work at the centre while studying or alternatively volunteer while studying.
This was me exactly, became pregnant at 17 (was too sick to continue studying) been a stay at home mum since then.
10 years on I'm studying aged care, work placement is included at the end. I need to do 60 hours placement, though no employment is guaranteed it is good experience. It's one foot in the door.
Childcare offers similar courses to mine, you'd be fine!
This was me exactly, became pregnant at 17 (was too sick to continue studying) been a stay at home mum since then.
10 years on I'm studying aged care, work placement is included at the end. I need to do 60 hours placement, though no employment is guaranteed it is good experience. It's one foot in the door.
Childcare offers similar courses to mine, you'd be fine!
Not too late at all. I think it's awesome that you are looking at that next phase of your life.
Having things other than your family is important. They grow up, leave home and you need stuff for you.
No advice on what to study but enjoy it!
You could study childcare while opening a family daycare. Do that for a few years and that may help you get a foot in the door in the childcare industry
That's a good option!
A friend if mine did family day care and had no formal childcare training or experience beforehand (do check what qualifications you do need, first aid & police checks I'd imagine at least).
I think studying and getting a placement is your best way to get started. Perhaps line up the certificate and then approach a few childcares for work experience to see if you like it? Just set out that you can do 40 hours in the next two weeks etc. Could open the door to work or placements down the track.
My advice is a bit different.. It's easier to get work when you have work. Get a job, any job. Study and then when the time comes transfer over to what you want to do. Most menial jobs don't require any experience just make sure you're selling yourself well in interviews.
Yes! Also, when you have job you get to know the things you like and don't like and it can steer you in the right direction. A few promotions later and you might end up with a career you love that you didn't even know existed. You also meet people and make contact with other companies and could get your dream job that way.
Im 38 this year and i am a single mum to 5 kids. Like u i had my first pretty much straight out of high school. Ive never really worked apart from being a mum for 18 years.... This year i completed a course in education support to become a teacher aide. I have volunteered at my kids school over the last 2 years so i did have some basic experience.... And when i approached my kids school for work placement they were more then happy to take me on.
Its never too late to find your path and you may just find employment that will take you on cos if u r like me and done making babies at least they won't have to pay out maternity leave