life....

[GaryFifer]

My mum was in same situation. Her children were settled in school and apart from housework she was bored.

She approached the local jobcentre who advised the local college were offering free courses giving access to education and training for women returners. These were aimed at women whose children were settled or were at secondary school and wanted to go back to work/training and see what options were available. Most of these were free or you could get a small grant to pay cost of course and travel/books etc. She attended an open day at the college and spoke to women such as herself who had undergone this process and were now students and enjoying college life. She was daunted by this as she thought most college students were youngsters but found to her surprise students nowadays were of mixed ages and there were quite a lot of men and women in the lessons.

She applied for an access course (in Scotland) maybe different in England. This course gave a variety of modules in business studies, economics, child care, secreterial work, and social care as well as modules in various aspects of working life. She enrolled and found she could fit in college from 4-6 hours daily and she could cope with essays and written work in her sparetime. She loved this.

There was an international womens day at the college In comparing experiences with other females she found they all either had a moan from their husbands and sometimes resentment from the males about being left the housework due to college comittments.

Some men did not like the new independence the women found and their new relationships/friendships at college. Despite this she graduated at college with a new load of qualifications and the entry level for university if she desired. She was proud of her achievements and glad she chose this route.

Do not be frightened to ask. All the women talked about were from 25/50 upwards in age. New freedom and using all the skills/experiences she gained. Life is waiting out there - embrace this and forge ahead.

Good luck in your search for fulfillment as a person.

[maria_and_matt]

My mum was in same situation. Her children were settled in school and apart from housework she was bored.

She approached the local jobcentre who advised the local college were offering free courses giving access to education and training for women returners. These were aimed at women whose children were settled or were at secondary school and wanted to go back to work/training and see what options were available. Most of these were free or you could get a small grant to pay cost of course and travel/books etc. She attended an open day at the college and spoke to women such as herself who had undergone this process and were now students and enjoying college life. She was daunted by this as she thought most college students were youngsters but found to her surprise students nowadays were of mixed ages and there were quite a lot of men and women in the lessons.

She applied for an access course (in Scotland) maybe different in England. This course gave a variety of modules in business studies, economics, child care, secreterial work, and social care as well as modules in various aspects of working life. She enrolled and found she could fit in college from 4-6 hours daily and she could cope with essays and written work in her sparetime. She loved this.

There was an international womens day at the college In comparing experiences with other females she found they all either had a moan from their husbands and sometimes resentment from the males about being left the housework due to college comittments.

Some men did not like the new independence the women found and their new relationships/friendships at college. Despite this she graduated at college with a new load of qualifications and the entry level for university if she desired. She was proud of her achievements and glad she chose this route.

Do not be frightened to ask. All the women talked about were from 25/50 upwards in age. New freedom and using all the skills/experiences she gained. Life is waiting out there - embrace this and forge ahead.

Good luck in your search for fulfillment as a person.

thank you for that, i will look into it.

[maria_and_matt]

just to give a few updates as to what i have been doing... when the bt shares hit 1.20 this morning i bought £15k's worth, will sell it when it doubles. been playing and watching the shares very interesting.
i have also been shopping on base (american) and had lotsa fun this weekend. i barely saw my husband, maybe life without him ain't so bad. see you all later guys i am off to lunch with friends hope you all have a good monday.