Should I go back to work full time

Confuseddot

are you crafty at all ? What about going learning how to quilt/knit etc ? Then if you get good you can sell the stuff you make and depending where you live there is usually lots of crafting groups that you go to so you get the company.

You could make quilts for http://projectlinusuk.org.uk or knit for one of these groups http://www.getknitting.com/ak_charity_knit.aspx

Just another idea to keep you busy and can be incorporated around family life but uses your brain.

Mojisola

Towser wrote: »

As long as I am a carer for my ASD son the pension part of it is sorted.

Towser wrote: »

c) do a self employed cleaning round during school hours

It may be that you want to get away from dealing with health problems while your son is at school but, if not, you could do very well combining cleaning with your knowledge.

There are several local companies (cleaners, decorators, plumbers, etc) round me who have the reputation for being very understanding of people with health problems and they are worked off their feet - local support groups pass their information around to their members.

suki1964

One job I done which I loved was market research

I would be given the months quota, and it was up to me to get it done, at the times it suited me ( at the time I had serious health issues, couldn't commit to full time work so it really suited me)

I loved it as I got out of the house, met people and got paid seriously good money

I worked for research international on many different contracts ranging from interviewing people in their home to counting stock in small local sweet shops and auditing big supermarkets

toffifee

Personally I would not recommend (c). Our lovely cleaner has problems with clients (not us!) who are sometimes horrible to her when she can't clean for them as planned, maybe because her son is at home ill (no more than any other normal child) or because her car has broken down or something. She finds this very stressful and about once a year thinks about giving up until her son is older.

I think working for a company would be better - especially if you can find one run by someone who understands that children will be ill sometimes and can send someone in your place so the client still gets the clean.

However, if I were you, I would be looking for something with a bit more social contact.

Towser

My latest good idea is teaching in a Special School. Teaching around the hours my son does.

The only problem is I have to do my PGCE teaching certificate. Nonetheless I have looked it up on UCAS and started filling out the forms for entry next year. My husband also thinks this is a good idea especially with all the knowledge I have around Autism and other Special Educational Needs.

What do you think? I am sure there are other choices which I am bouncing off you.

kingfisherblue

My degree is in Inclusive Education, and during it, I volunteered part time at a special school. I hated it. My son has multiple disabilities and needs a lot of care, so I felt that I had a double whammy. I love my son dearly, but dealing with his needs can be draining. Working in a special school, albeit part time and voluntarily, is definitely not for me. I found that dealing with severe disability at home and on my placement was too much for me.

Maybe you could volunteer in a special school to see if you feel differently to me.

Instead, I help to run a local disability group for families with disabled children, and I am a local disability adviser for Girlguiding (I'm also a Rainbow and Brownie leader). Both are voluntary, but it means that I am able to use my knowledge to help others, without it being a big part of my everyday life and draining me further.

Towser

I am the Chairperson for a Special Educational Needs parent support group. I would love to do more. Volunteering is a good suggestion to see if I like something.

I spend a large proportion of my money in charity shops. I would love to work in a charity shop. Volunteering is a good suggestion to see if I like something. I donate lots of stuff to charity shops. I have in the past got things off Freecycle to give to my sons' schools.

KxMx

Try searching https://www.do-it.org for local volunteer opportunities.

duchy

Towser wrote: »

oh I am feeling restless again today. So I have been looking at jobs. My choices are:

a) do nothing, stay at home care for my son become restless once in a while.
b) take on a part time minimum wage job during school hours
c) do a self employed cleaning round during school hours
d) do the job I usually do but would have to take on an au pair
e) other/volunteer during my spare time

What do you think? I am sure there are other choices which I am bouncing off you.

What kind of skills do you have ?

Au Pairs tend not to stay very long - How would the frequent changes in care impact on your son - as it is likely changes in routine are an issue for in.

Towser

Try searching https://www.do-it.org for local volunteer opportunities.

It's only coming up with Northamptonshire positions

What kind of skills do you have ?

I trained in Clothing Design and Production Management and worked as a Garment Technologist. So it would be Crafting, Administration, Marketing, Technology, Management and Retail