Little background....I'm 36, married, 3 kids, dog, etc. I've spent the last 13 years as a residential real estate appraiser. Due to my lack of a college education, I've been limited on how far I can go with licensure/certification for this field. Due to this factor, I've basically been shut down as most banks require a certification which is a step above basic licensure.
I was a heavy pot smoker for about 15 years and I'm a few months into no dope. I feel like I'm just floating along with no real purpose. I'm now a stay at home dad and do all the house shit you'd expect a stay at home parent to do...laundry, cooking, cleaning, getting kids to/from school, grocery shopping...the whole bit. My wife has her own business and we can manage just fine on her salary.
I'm having a hard time trying to figure out what I'm going to next with my life. I know I don't want to be a stay at home dad forever. I've applied for 30+ jobs over the last 12 months but no one wants to hire some one who's been self employed for 13+ years. What did I do wrong?
My question to you Voaters is when you've been in a transitional period in your life, what did you do to figure out the next step? I feel lost and am just looking for some random Internet wisdom. Thanks for your time!
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[–] JeepGuy79 [S] 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
Wow everyone!! I love all the responses and some of you have opened my eyes as to what some possible options could be. I did fail to mention that I teach a group fitness class at the local dance studio in my neighborhood (I'm semi-rural, closest gym is 18 miles). That has helped me feel fantastic in a physical way and to some degree mental too. I've got my group of stay at home moms that come bust ass with me 3x a week and we crush P90X Live! and Insanity Live! workouts.
It's my spouse who's been nudging me to got get a "real" job as my youngest will be out of 1/2 day kindergarten and into full day schedule after summer. While we manage our bills ok on her salary, she wants more cash coming in and I barely make anything teaching class. I'm pressured into finding something. I just wish it was all laid out in front of me.
While I'm not going to acknowledge specific voaters, cause mobile typing blows......your comments have helped and after a rather sleepless night I have some new ideas....now it's time to go make breakfast before everyone wakes up and we rush out the door for soccer games!!! Cheers.