new life after retirement

I retired at 63 to help look after small granddaughter. I re-trained as a childminder, doing the course on an evening. Met new friends ( almost all under 40yrs) . When me and property were checked by Ofsted they passed me/hubby and our bungalow as good, saying as we had no stairs, there is a huge shortage of childminders for wheelchair/disabled children. The children keep you fit and they are fun to be around. You can then choose your days and hours you would like to work. I based mine around looking after granddaughter at the same time. It is also up to you if you look after babies, toddlers or just after school children. Just one or two suited me for two/three days a week. the average pay is £5.50 per child per hour. The downside is lots of record keeping, usually on an evening. But a very rewarding job. My granddaughter started school so I gave it up sadly. (Time for me, holidays) BUT another grandchild will now need looking after as mum goes back to work shortly. I won't take more children now though as it is six years later and I will be too old. I loved every minute of childcare. Retiring is for old people !!!!!!! Enjoy whatever you decide to do.

Marianne there's a huge variety of U3A groups in Edinburgh and a volunteer exchange with masses of volunteering opportunities available. Something for everyone. Also GN meet ups happen here quite often. You'll have a great time here!

After living in a tiny village with no facilities, I am preparing to move to Edinburgh and can't wait to get my life back. I've completely downsized from a 4 bedroom detached house to a small 2 bedroom flat.
I can't wait to visit museums and art galleries again. Go to see Opera and walk by the sea.
I feel like the time when I first left home to get married, it's feels like a new adventure
I am going to wait before I volunteer for anything and just do what I want for a year or two.

What's retirement? It might be a cliche but there aren't enough hours in the day...
The freedom to do everything - or nothing. Just enjoy!

Good idea to cut your working days gradually. I'm about to request this myself. Can your employer refuse though?

Retirement is lovely and I think that if you can fill your time with things which you enjoy at your speed then that's doing pretty well.

Sounds like you may have answered your own question!!!!
Whatever you choose..be it something creative..or with animals, enjoy every moment!
A very happy retirement to you

I love being retired. I finished work in April this year and cannot say I have missed work
I get to spend more time with my grandchildren and doing all the pottering in my garden that I want. I have considered volunteering but have decided to wait and enjoy my new freedom for a bit.

Sorry, I didn't mean to post this twice!

Great ideas already. I find I need something physically active (I bowl and do yoga). Something to keep the mind active (I go to a book club a french class and a german group) something creative (a writing group and two poetry groups) and something to help.others (I am sec
At bowls club) most of these activities are free or low cost
Enjoy your retirement. It is a wonderful gift

After almost 40 years in the same job, attending pointless meetings, training, bonding etc, I couldn't wait to retire at 60. I love it. DH and I do as we please (I realise we are both lucky to be here and that some folks are not so lucky). I get up when I want and do what I want to do each day. I felt no pressure to do anything else, retrain or volunteer. However I do now listen to readers at a local school which I enjoy. I also help out occasionally on school trips. Schools are always desperate for volunteers.

There are some interesting suggestions given by others and vounteering as a support worker might be something to consider. Another idea might be to do a TEFL Course (Teacher of English as a Foreign Language). I have friends who have done that and it can be very well paid. You can sometimes find the courses relatively cheaply, and you can more or less set your own hours for the lessons you give, which can often be internet based. With so many imigrants here you could probably get work on a Council run scheme as well.

If you love animals have you thought of being a puppy walker for guide dogs in training. I have a friend who does this. I think you have them for the first 12 months until they're old enough to go to a training centre. Only trouble is you have to part with them after you've grown attached and start all over again with another one.

legs55 so sorry to hear about your DH, you're right, it's great that you had that extra time with him, and I'm so pleased to hear that you have settled happily now after what must have been a traumatic time, exacerbated by house moves. GL with the future

I have a slightly different experience to many of you, when DH Retired at 65 his health was poor (depression) so when the opportunity came for me to take Early Retirement a few months later at 50 I jumped at it. We had a large house & garden so spent time getting ready to downsize. I put a lot of research into our chosen area. Everything happened in a rush when the house went on the market,, within 8 weeks we had sold, bought in our chosen area & moved.

We settled into our new home, approx half way between our DDs (1 his, 1 mine). Unfortunately DH developed Terminal Cancer & was admitted to Hospital 11 months after we moved. I was left on my own & after about 9 months put my house on the market, took me 14 months to sell (cash buyer who wanted to move quickly). I went to stay with my DD for 2 weeks then a Holiday Flat until I could move into my new property about 10 miles from my DD, her OH & 2DGS.

Moving again has meant I have had to make new friends & explore my new area. I have lovely neighbours, joined a couple of Meet Up groups. I enjoy the freedom of Retirement, go out, stay in, read, see my family & fit in visits to my DM who lives 300 miles away & at 88 doesn't travel any more.

My advice would be sort out your move making sure you're in the right area & check out activities, volunteering etc. Good luck

Life doesn't always work out as planned, I'm glad I Retired when I did, I had almost 7 years with my DH which I would have missed if I'd worked until Retirement at 66

Thank you so much all you lovely GNers! I am
very cheered by all these positive posts! I have opened the link from Direne3 which I will peruse later, and I particularly liked the idea of doing something with Guide Dogs.

I am seeing someone from the place I intend to move to, who is keen to start on a joint enterprise as soon as I get there (in fact, to move in together) but have been feeling trapped by this, and reading your responses, I think I will gently extricate myself from the commitment, at least until I have had time to 'draw breath'; maybe rent somewhere on my own initally, and take it from there.

Thanks once again for all your support.

Retiring is the best thing I ever did even though I really enjoyed my job! After a week wondering "is this all there is left for me?" I haven't looked back. At first I was approached to do maternity cover for another institution, then had a number of temporary short-term contracts. So since I retired the second time I have developed my creative side which had lain dormant for most of my life, joined 2 local groups and as a result am now a national trustee for the craft guild. I took up ballroom dancing again after 50 years and started bowling, both things we could do together. The best thing is that we can do things when we want to, not to someone else's timescale. We are also gradualy working through our bucket list of places to visit.
I appreciate that not everyone's experience is the same - I don't have grandchildren to help take care of - but retirement is what you make of it. Yes it is easy to sit and "wait to die" but not necessary.
As regards voluntary work or similar, the Citizens Advice Bureau does fantastic work and is always in need of volunteers, you can start as a receptionist and work from there. Lots more excellent suggestions above.
Go out and enjoy yourself. Very best wishes.

If you want to be productive and useful, I think volunteering is the way to go. I felt I needed to give back something to society and volunteered at a local child contact centre for ten yers (only one dsy a month)which was very worthwhile. MyDH , also a teacher, became a school govenor which keeps him busy. And we ste involved in community activitis in the village.al of which gives plenty of time for hobbies such as golf, singing in a choir , learning new languages, U3A groups , walking and much more. As well as visiting GC and occasionsl babysitting! And good holidays. Retirement's wonderful!

Make sure you have fun whatever you choose to do.

How about starting a blog - it involves loads of new skills, can be very useful for other people and is creative. It will also use skills you have as a teacher.

I'm working on a new blog (not up yet) on how to become a superager. I'm also floating round Europe on my boat. I don't miss work at all even though I enjoyed it when I was working!

Best of luck

Guide dog puppy walker?

For years literally, after I retired I worked at my old job(District Nurse), when I was asked to work I did so if it suited me, I loved it and gave up at 72, since then I have many activities which suit me, we moved house to another area three years ago, I am now adapting to this area, although it has taken time, the best of all is I dont need to get up early, sheer bliss!
I have a sign saying "retirement is when the sun rises and you dont" I am 75 and still enjoy travelling.

I volunteer at a Wildlife Trust nature reserve: there are several retired teachers volunteering there both on the conservation - hacking, slashing and digging - and the educational - projects and visits from schools and families - sides. Good fun, plenty of fresh air and wildlife, friendly faces and all very worthwhile.

Direne3.....thank you very much for that website. Very promising for me and never knew it existed even though I am a keen surfer and GN. Looking forward to going in depth later. Currently on transport to London so too distracting for concentration. Need all the help I can get!

I knew I would be bored after taking early retirement so I joined the local branch of the political party of my choice and within a few months I was Treasurer and Branch Secretary! If you like animals, what about volunteering as a dog walker at a local rescue centre or a puppy socialiser for Guide Dogs for the Blind. Explore your new area first after the house move, sort out decorating it/gardening, maybe learn to play an instrument and relax a bit watching daytime tv!!!

Yes, do take a little 'sabbatical' and rest while you decide what you wish to do. Retirement is wonderful, especially if you are fit and dont have too many financial worries.
I can recommend volunteering - it's given me some of the happiest days of my life!