What Next?

[MummaBear03]

As you know I'm a single mum paying rent and living alone in a 3 brm with my DD to provide for her. My decision yesterday to leave my job without having another one lined up to go back to was an emotional one rather than a logical one :eek: so now I'm left wondering what to do next and how to survive on just centrelink payments! I can get casual work in childcare which is what I'll do until something else comes along, but working in childcare is causing too much stress right now. Long story short, I had a breakdown not long ago due to the workload and expectations of childcare workers. It's not something I want to do anymore but don't know anything else. I've done it since leaving school, and the other jobs like kitchen hand or whatever wouldn't be suitable. I still have to work around childcare hours for DD's daycare, which is only 3 days a week and I have to really work a full day rather than just a few hours to cover the cost of her childcare fees. One thing about working in childcare is that there is no shortage of work when you are a qualified worker, so it's a safe career option in that respect. I'm tired, sick of the workload, the politics of it bothers me, and I'm tired of the b*tchiness in the workplace. That's one bonus for relief workers, you don't get dragged into that side of things. I'm sitting here now wondering if I did the right thing or the wrong thing, knowing there was really no other option because if I stayed there it would have led to another breakdown in the very near future. Oh why is everything so difficult?!?!?! I can't get my head around anything now, I need a new career but no idea where to start, it's all too much :dizzy:

[LilShenanigans]

:hugs: It'll work out if you keep a little faith...

Ok, I don't do sympathy well.

First thing I thought was, mentally, your better off not in that sort of work environment. Sometimes it's an option to be part of, othertimes it's hard to avoid.
Secondly, maybe something in sales area would be able to tide you over until you find your path?

if you have the social skills, sales is a fairly dead easy job. And really it covers everything from basic check out chick, to sales reps. My first option would be something with a large company as you would have more freedom with choice of days and longer hours if needed.

Goodluck with everything, I think our choices happen for a reason so stay strong :)

[blissfullybonkers]

you should apply at a privately owned center and hit them up for free/discount care for your dd if you get the job and work full days. it cant hurt to ask!!

[lovingmotheract]

I know how you feel i worked in childcare for 5 long years and loved the kids to death but did not like all the talking behind your back stuff it was driving me up the wall that i just craked it and i up and left one day when i was working and have never gone back.

good on you for doing what you did i know it can be hard i left there and got a job that i love it did not help that i had to leave that job 3 months in as i was pregnant with dd.

good luck and you will find a job that you will love again.

[Roxy]

I did the same thing about 10 years ago now - and it was the best thing I ever did.

I went from childcare to construction....I went from leading a toddler room to being a customer service officer for a home improvements company. I got the job because I *had* worked in childcare. The boss figured if I could tolerate the tantrums of 15 2-4 year olds, then I could certainly handle the temper tantrums of adults.

I had some basic computer skills (could use MS office/internet/basic MYOB), but knew nothing about construction.

Childcare gives you so many skills! It gives you the best negotiation skills on the planet, patience of a Saint, communication skills that would rival a world class lecturer, multi-tasking like Martha Stewart, team work..the list goes on!

Don't sell yourself short because childcare is all you have done - grab the paper, get onto Seek and don't be shy to give something a go that interests you, but you might not have done before....

[mummyrissa]

although i cant offer much help or advice, i was a director for 5yrs at a childcare centre and i left when i had my baby and there was just no way i could ever go back. i know what you mean about being stressed and over worked. alot of people just dont understand the expectations and what we actually have to do everyday! i am also a single parent but i live with my parents so financially im ok im about to study primary school teaching at uni, so its only a slight career change. alot better money, holidays and more suitable hours. maybe thats an option for you teachers aid perhaps?

if you ever need to vent just pm me!!!

[lovingmotheract]

I did the same thing about 10 years ago now - and it was the best thing I ever did.

I went from childcare to construction....I went from leading a toddler room to being a customer service officer for a home improvements company. I got the job because I *had* worked in childcare. The boss figured if I could tolerate the tantrums of 15 2-4 year olds, then I could certainly handle the temper tantrums of adults.

I had some basic computer skills (could use MS office/internet/basic MYOB), but knew nothing about construction.

Childcare gives you so many skills! It gives you the best negotiation skills on the planet, patience of a Saint, communication skills that would rival a world class lecturer, multi-tasking like Martha Stewart, team work..the list goes on!

Don't sell yourself short because childcare is all you have done - grab the paper, get onto Seek and don't be shy to give something a go that interests you, but you might not have done before....

:iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree:

[MummaBear03]

although i cant offer much help or advice, i was a director for 5yrs at a childcare centre and i left when i had my baby and there was just no way i could ever go back. i know what you mean about being stressed and over worked. alot of people just dont understand the expectations and what we actually have to do everyday! i am also a single parent but i live with my parents so financially im ok im about to study primary school teaching at uni, so its only a slight career change. alot better money, holidays and more suitable hours. maybe thats an option for you teachers aid perhaps?

if you ever need to vent just pm me!!!
Thanks. I actually have just linked in with some schools, told them I'm available for relief positions at present working 3 days a week. Also looked into other centres and have an interview this afternoon at a community centre. They said that with the restrictions on the days I'm available they may not have work but they will certainly have relief work available if I'm successful this afternoon. I'm a little nervous though, I've never had an interview for childcare work before and also I have to take my daughter along. She's not in daycare today and they didn't have any kids away either so she couldn't go in just as a one-off either. I just wish she was in a nicer mood rather than being in her "I want to stay home and do quiet activities today and not leave the house" mood that she's in now :rolleyes:

Yay! A job interview today and one tomorrow, also scored work on Friday already and maybe Thursday too! Not bad for only having looked for a new job yesterday and today :flowerz: