What was/is your job?

Open University, belle?

Annobel there are a few people in my working life I would feel the same about! In the days when you were taught typing and shorthand at school I have to say this put me in good stead especially when the kids came along and I needed to help put bread onto the table - well more like holidays really! Have worked in banks, accountants, estate agents, solicitors, local hospital, met some good friends and in one civil engineering company met my husband - so not all bad. Would have liked to have the wherewithall to do a degree in history at some stage .... sounds like another thread coming on...

Good heavens Maniac that's really amazing - makes my life look so boring and unproductive

Knew I could rely on Gransnet!

We'll bail you out Annobel

It was horrible and especially as I had only 20 months before i could retire anyway. I think I may just have got over resenting it 12 years later. Mind you, if I met my former line manager in the street, I might not be answerable for my actions!

Being made redundant is unspeakably dreadful in your 50's

Made redundant at 58, I negotiated re-training as an ESOL teacher (English to Speakers of Other Languages) and did this for a couple of years until my health got in the way.

Is approaching 60 too old to be training for anything? I'm pretty much worn out with what I'm doing but can't imagine not working.

Ive had lots of different jobs over the years but was a foster carer from my 20s - 40s while my 3 kids were growing up.
Then I worked as a Residential social worker for 8 years. Gave up childcare and became PA carer doing agency work mainly and going abroad with wealthy disabled people on their holidays. Saw the world in my 50s lol
After our grandson was born I looked after him while the DIL went back to work. It didnt work out too well full time as we had conflicting ideas on childcare so just have him 1 or 2 days a week now, but decided I wanted to work from home as a childminder so started a childminding business last October which is going OK. Im not making a fortune but I love being my own boss and Im back doing childcare which is great!

Crikey, Maniac - a life well-lived indeed!

Pharmacist 51 yrs in 8 hospitals,one prison and over 50 community pharmacies!-following OH's career path
Primary school teacher 10 yrs when my 3 children were in school.
Divorced at 55
Trained in massage and reflexology just before my first retirement at 60.
Kept on doing part time pharmacy until I was 75
Now 80. Enjoying full time retirement -painting,photography,gardening
involved with local sustainability/transition group.
I babysit for my Japanese neighbour and thus have 2 surrogate grandchildren.Sadly don't see much of my own grandchildren because of distance and divorce.

no probs

Well, now you're asking.....!!??? I'm afraid DH isn't the handiest person, and his efforts have stopped me from asking him to do many jobs around the house. I'm sure that's been a deliberate ploy on his part!

greenmossgiel,only jobs around the house,why want some jobs done?

At the age of 5 I decided that I wanted to be a teacher. At the age of 80 I am still imparting knowledge having taught every age from nursery to mature students including gifted children and those with very severe disabilities. What a rewarding life it's been.

Maggie if thats anything like most of us that will be quite soon

Thanks for all your good welcome wishes, I will raise a glass to you next time there is one in my hand!

I did indeed start this thread and have been so impressed with all the things that people have done in their lives. My initial sentence has certainly been vindicated, if that were necessary, by posts that start "I was only…" when, in fact, they have been valuable contributors to society and are clearly sensible, capable women today. (That's come out slightly patronising and I didn't mean to be.)

jangly You know what I do for a living as it cropped up on another thread. I write and edit non-fiction, mainly cookbooks, but also on some other subjects. Like many jobs, it has its moments of satisfaction, even pleasure, but mostly it's just nose to the grindstone and, literally, slaving over a hot stove.

I have managed to fit in various volunteer jobs from time to time such as teaching English to non-English-speaking immigrants in their homes. Best lesson ever was when the whole family joined in the mum's lesson – granny, grandpa, dad and four or five children in one tiny bedroom – and we played Happy Families. The intention was to get please and thank you as automatic responses and, if you forgot, you missed your turn. It was also a way to learn words such as butcher, baker, etc. It was so successful that I left the pack of cards for them to play with and was waved off with everyone shouting thank you.

I just stuck my oar in.

Like you do.

I don't wanna know Green!

I didn't start the flipping thread!

absent did.

Blame her.

(in case you take it seriously, which I know you won't)

I know Harrigran.

Of course I didn't mean it, I am ribbing jangly We have been on Gransnet for long enough to know there is a lot of tongue in cheek going on

What's this thing about a MAIN JOB? Don't we women multi-task and do things differently. I had four threads of activity - all equally important and inter-related - Being a mum to three (and now a grandmother); Voluntary work, formal and informal types; Paid work (though often still expected to do things for nothing); education/personal development. I had a main thread of Education and Community through each strand but consider my career was like a carousel - round about and up and down with different 'mains' at different times.
For the last 24 years however I was always known as the 'Disaster' Lady.
Now I'm redefined again as a 'Company Director' for son-in-law's business because he has Adult ADHD (see other thread) & needs constant micro-management! Still it feels better than putting retired on forms.
Incidentally, you don't have to be an 11+ failure to feel a failure. From humble beginnings I got to a top University (they must have made a mistake!) and have always felt a failure, even after getting a PhD - & still do.

Charlotta - Whatever do you mean by your remark. I have been out all day and just popped on here before going to bed just to see what's been going on.

And I saw that!!

Please don't think of leaving Gransnet because of me. I have never been horrible to you. I assure you I am not a man! I am a granny to two grandsons who are very dear to me.

I thought I had friends on here.

I don't think Harrigrqn meant it. Of course I'm a real person.

I really don't understand.