Twice a week we publish problems that will feature in a forthcoming Dear Jeremy advice column in the Saturday Guardian so that readers can offer their own advice and suggestions. We then print the best of your comments alongside Jeremy’s own insights. Here is the latest dilemma – what are your thoughts?
I am 53 and feel redundant. My career consists of 10 years of nursing and midwifery in the 1980s. But after 25 years of marriage and raising five children, as they become more independent I feel I am becoming more redundant.
I always had visions of returning to my career but am still needed at home for my son with autism. He goes to daycare five days a week and is picked up at 9.30am and returns home at 3pm.
It is difficult to fit a career into these hours and I am fearful of returning to midwifery as I am sure a lot has changed in my time and the hours were not family-friendly when I did the job. Also, there is a financial consideration: if I earn more than £100 a week I would lose my carer’s allowance.
For my mental health I would like to – need to – do some form of work that takes me outside the home. I am creative and like crafting. I can paint, do quilting and knit, and I love the arts. How can I restart my working life?
Do you need advice on a work issue? For Jeremy’s and readers’ help, send a brief email to dear.jeremy@theguardian.com. Please note that he is unable to answer questions of a legal nature or to reply personally.
