Huge major life changes coming up - not sure how to deal

[Ophelia]

OK, I'll try and make this short! I have basically been doing the same line of work for 18 years. Last job (I was there for 3 years) was horribly stressful the last year, got laid off a few months ago. So only $$ coming in is from DH's job and unemployment.

I knew prior to getting laid off I needed a career change, and after thinking about it and researching for 10+ months, decided to become an IBCLC (lactation consultant). This is going to be difficult enough itself, since I do not have a health care background or training, and because of my ADHD I have a lot of trouble remembering things and taking tests. I am also 13 weeks pregnant (yay!).

Due to the pregnancy, I need to go from a 2 door car to a 4 door before the snow flies this winter. I just paid $130 to fix the air conditioning on the car, and also found out today that it also needs $1200 worth of work for struts and other related, which is pretty much going to take up our emergency cash. I certainly can't drive the car with a safety issue, and I certainly can't sell it like that.

Also, our mortgage/bills is really for 2 people working full time. Since I won't be working full time anytime soon, and hopefully be training for IBCLC, it's looking like we will have to move. I don't mind moving from the house so much, but I do really like the location. No, there isn't much chance of getting another house that meets our requirements in the same location. We might be able to find something in the same city, though, or area. We may have to move sometime next year I'm thinking. DH was hoping to be at this location for 10 years, we have been here 6. The house needs work (things we basically don't have $$ for), and with this economy we would lose $$ selling it.

I am also in the process of finding a homebirth MW, but that will be easy! Luckily we should be able to use our health savings acct and insurance to pay for it.

To sum:

-I am scrambling to get approval for IBCLC training, which means i have to find a chief mentor and get my app in by the end of Sept
-If I do get approved for training, then I need to do my clinical hours, take college courses, take care of my 4yo and have my baby all at the same time (yes, DH would have to help out more)
-I have to pay the huge amount to get my car fixed so I can sell it and get another family-friendly one
-we will probably have to move next year

I don't know if I'm being naive, but I keep thinking that everything is going to be OK. Or is it? I just don't know

any advice or been there/done that?

[SleeplessMommy]

what is the local job market for IBCLC? Have you talked with a local LC and found out about salaries? I thought they were mostly RNs with lactation training on the side. Have you looked at CNA? (very short training I think)

you have 2 cars in the family and both are 2-doors? if you plan to stay at home with the baby, i think you can live with a 2-door car. fixing an older car in order to sell it sounds risky to me.

I would focus on earning money before the baby arrives. Maybe a well-timed layoff can get you extra income while the baby is still young. What you have suggested (school + sell house + buy house + sell car) sounds like just too much to do right now.

just noticed this in in personal growth not F&F. Try to find a LC mentor. Focus on one thing at a time, if you can!

[Ophelia]

I have only talked to the IBCLC that helped me, she said it was hard for her to find work (private practice). I doubt a hospital would hire me once I am certified, since I do not have an RN degree (don't want one either, nor CNA as I really really don't want to do the 'gross' stuff just to become IBCLC).
I still want to do it anyways, there aren't that many IBCLC's in the area or at least my area anyways.

We have one SUV and my car is a 2 door, which has been fine with one car seat but would be very difficult with two car seats. I plan on getting an even trade as possible as so not to break the bank (for example, if I sell the car for $6000 I would buy a vehicle for close to that price). We have to get the car fixed either way anyways, as DH freaked and won't even let me drive it until we get it fixed next week (we are trading vehicles).

I'm not sure how I can earn $$ before baby arrives, AND get in my clinical hours and college courses (if approved), and I don't want to wait another year or two to start IBCLC (plus then the requirements change for 2012).

Thanks, definitely trying to focus on one thing at a time, my primary right now is to find IBCLC mentors so I can get my app in. While waiting for mentors to call me back, I'm narrowing down vehicle choices

[mandib50]

good luck, it all sounds so stressful