If you could...

[threejs]

I would quit my job in a heartbeat and divide my time between working at my daughter's school and working on social justice/education issues for children of color. I don't necessarily enjoy working with other people's kids, lol. But I would like to influence and direct policy, at least on a local level. I had my daughter late in life (35), so didn't realize I was passionate about education issues until we started school shopping.

What's stopping me is money. lol.

[05heel]

I'd be a pastry chef. I don't think I want to own my own shop, but I would sell my wares to various businesses and teach classes. There's a lot of things stopping me from this. Lol. First being that I like to make lots of money.

Another dream of mine is to become a science writer. There's not really a lot stopping me from doing this, actually.

[andwhat]

If I could do any, any thing. I would have a non-profit that took elementary aged kids and allowed them to spend time in a field that they *think* they would want to do. Whatever it is. You want to be a mechanic, pilot, doctor, teacher, plumber, police officer, don't care. You would get an opportunity to actually see it in action, find out what it takes to get there, and maybe get a mentor to help them achieve it. Or they would learn that it isn't what they want to do in life and give them another direction. I see so many teens/young adults that want to get into things, but they got in trouble and it completely disqualifies them, they didn't know what it would take to get there, or how much they would make, etc.

My other thing would be to own a used/rare book store. I just have a love for books and would love to be surrounded by them all day.

What is stopping me. Financial security and connections.

[andwhat]

Oct 12, 2016 9:40:24 GMT -5 socratic said:

I will go first...

I would open a full service childcare centre based loosley on the Waldorf method.

We would provide all care and food from three months till 5.

We would leverage baby led weaning principals for all babies and have a garden and juicing program.

What is stopping you?

[sfy]

Be anything or do anything what would it be right now? Retired.

And what is stopping you? It wouldn't be MM right now, maybe in the next five years, I can think about it without any anxiety.

Did we do this already? I don't think so.

Career-wise, I wouldn't be interested in anything that wouldn't require more education and I've already spent too much of my life in school, so that's not going to happen (also, the older I get, the dumber I get, so I don't think I'd do well in school anymore). But there are two educational paths I wish I would have explored in lieu of what I did. PhD in Art History or PhD in Linguistics (or sociolinguistics).

[sunshine608]

This is hard. Last November I told DH I wanted to SAH and we decided we would revisit in a year and do some financial recalculations. It's almost a year and while I feel stuck in my career and ready to quit, the fact that our parents watch DS is something I don't want to change.

So what's stopping me is that after losing my grandmother this summer, I cherish the fact that he spends pretty close to equal amounts of time with both his grandparents (and aunts) which I think is rare in this day and age and I enjoy watching those relationships. Also my mom cooks for DS, so three days a week I get a hot breakfast and a hot dinner that I don't cook. Lol.

I have no idea what to do now. Before I got pg, I was considering going to law school instead of pursing my Ph.D.I've also started playing with the idea of getting a MBA at my school and trying to get into HR.

[borinquen57]

A mom and a successful mental-health professional. 

Nothing is really stopping me except my personal statement to grad school, which I'm working on today and a subsequent acceptance letter. 

I like doing these, I find them inspiring as well!

[iammalcolmx]

I would go back and work Customer Service at the airport. My favorite job ever. The low ass starting salary is what is stopping me.

[childofhiphop]

Full time ministry.

What's stopping me? Being 80% of our household income and my (poor) health - which I'm working on - and the very good and necessary medical insurance that comes from my job as primary breadwinner.

ETA: I'm am part-time now. I'd just like to devote more time to my ministry. I think I would be exhausted but deeply content and happy.

[calle28]

I'd be a writer. Sitcoms, screenplays, short stories.

What's stopping me? I've sort of started, but I'm having writers block right now. I'm lacking confidence and direction. I don't know what the next steps are.

[kicks]

I'd be my boyfriends manager and travel with him and help him with all his projects. I'd be the ultimate groupie

What's stopping me is I have this damn degree and don't want it to go to "waste."

I have a plan to work hard in clinical medicine for 5-10 years, pay off my loans, make some money and then get outta here!

Ideally I'd work part time and travel part time

[morningmania]

1. Be an FBI agent
Or
2. Be a writer

It is too late to start working for the FBI in my 40s in my opinion. Probably a little old but I wish I had wanted it in my 20s.

There is nothing stopping me from writing something. Just time!

Sent from my SM-N920V using proboards

[Black Lavender]

Event planning... specifically children's parties.

I think just having the time and making connections is what is stopping me

Sent from my XT1096 using proboards

[sfy]

Oct 12, 2016 20:43:54 GMT -5 Black Lavender said:

Event planning... specifically children's parties.

I think just having the time and making connections is what is stopping me

Sent from my XT1096 using proboards

My friend does this! You should do it! She is a SAHM who just networked the hell out of her playgroups and all her friends and former coworkers. We also have another friend who's a wedding planner and as soon as those brides get pregnant, she tries to get them for baby showers, which basically starts them on her track for their children's parties. Initially, she also did several parties for no fee, just the cost of supplies so she could build a portfolio.

[redwino]

I would like to help parents, particular those that are poor and/or black, navigate the school system. I guess I would be an advocate but without the focus on special education. I would assist in everything from completing paperwork to asking the right questions when there are concerns. The ultimate goal would be to make the parents feel like they have more control over their child's education and to build better relationships between the parents and schools.

The thing stopping me is that I need money and I can't figure out how to make a decent salary doing this. The people who need this service the most likely don't have the money to pay for it. If DH ever takes a job that would allow me to SAH, I would look into doing this on a voluntary basis.

[kicks]

Oct 12, 2016 17:57:20 GMT -5 socratic said:

Oct 12, 2016 13:12:49 GMT -5 kicks said:

I'd be my boyfriends manager and travel with him and help him with all his projects. I'd be the ultimate groupie

What's stopping me is I have this damn degree and don't want it to go to "waste."

I have a plan to work hard in clinical medicine for 5-10 years, pay off my loans, make some money and then get outta here!

Ideally I'd work part time and travel part time

You could be his road doctor? See no waste

I did tell him to hook me up with some of his famous rich musician friends and I'd be their personal doctors lol. But then I realized I do not want to be at anyone's beck and call 24/7 Conrad Murray Michael Jackson style! 

[busybodyk]

I don't know what I would do. This really frustrates me and has been bothering me lately because I know it's time for a change...

[DesertMoon]

An archeologist.

What's stopping me is the shallow pool of needed positions and it's not practical to start all that now with a young family.

I am in an archeology club though so, Atleast I get to do it a bit.

[Black Lavender]

Oct 13, 2016 8:15:51 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

I'm doing it right now.
Sending my kids to school full time, so I can day drink for the cause, work out, see friends, travel, and do frivolous things that sound like fun.

Ahhh, I take mine back. I'd like to switch to this please! 

[itsme]

Career military. I would rewind time and continue living out the dream I had since I was a kid instead of leaving it after 4 years.

I might be able to go reserves but with H's current work situation I would have nowhere for my kids to go when I would have to do the two weeks. Plus I'm old and would go in as a very low rank whereas my friends who are about to retire or have already retired are way up there. It would be weird.

[EnchantedSoul]

Oct 12, 2016 13:11:38 GMT -5 calle28 said:

I'd be a writer. Sitcoms, screenplays, short stories.

What's stopping me? I've sort of started, but I'm having writers block right now. I'm lacking confidence and direction. I don't know what the next steps are.

We are the same person!

[EnchantedSoul]

I would be a children's lit author. I am passionate about children and literature. I feel oddly at peace when I enter a bookstore or library.

What's holding me back? Me. I can't seem to get out of my own way. I don't take rejection well and doubt my abilities. I do write when I find time and am hopeful that I will be successful at some point. It's hard with young children and all that entails.

I was accepted into the Institute of Children's Literature program. I just can't pull the trigger because I'm cheap 😝

[Queen Mamadala]

Great topic!

There are times I fantasize about being a religious studies professor. It's one of my passions, and I'm toying with the idea of continuing the Master of Liberal Arts at JHU that I started last spring, but left for another program. I got accepted into a MFA program that specializes in genre writing. I started in September, but I... don't like it. H thinks I need a break for a little while. I realized within a few weeks what I've known for years. When it comes to creative writing, my passion is for screenwriting. I'm a visual person and a cinephile. Film studies has been a passion of mine since I was young. Legit screenwriting programs with a non-residency format are virtually non-existent, and I don't want to pay $$$ for a program I'm not fully committed to.

So, after hours of talks with my H and soon-to-be 12 year old, I'm leaving my current program and will take the next year to focus on screenwriting studies. I've saved tons of articles, lecture videos, downloaded spec scripts, screenwriters groups, and may sign up for non-credit courses. I may revisit going back to JHU next fall.

I also wouldn't mind being a successful indie perfumer. That has been a goal of mine for over a year. I have an Etsy shop I plan to open, but with school, kids, health stuff, life, etc., it keeps getting pushed back.

[persa]

Be anything or do anything what would it be right now?
A trophy wife
And what is stopping you? A poor husband

J/k...sorta

Career-wise, if we were talking about what I enjoy, I would love to be a makeup artist. Not like just at the mall at the Lancome counter but really learn the craft a la Lisa Eldridge and I'd really love to work with WOC.

And in the same boat as others, money is the issue. I think I would always do my current job in some part time capacity but I'd love to not have to do it for money but rather just for the intellectual and emotional stimulation.

[redwino]

Oct 13, 2016 13:31:53 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

I do think when the kids are both in school, at the same school, full time, I may do a couple of commercials.
It's a quick way to knock out annoying student loan debt, with one national campaign.

I wouldn't mind being a background dancer in some music videos, but that competition is fierce in the LA/OC area. Throw a rock in any direction, and hit an excellent dancer with a cute face.

Side note: If you are by a tv, please tune in to Celebrity Name Game, on Tuesday,November 15th, and see yours truly.

I love celebrity name game! I'll have to set my dvr. Please remind us again.

[salejolie]

Be anything - world traveler. What's stopping me? Prolonged stints in 2 star hotels or hostels is too rough/I'm poor. I'm currently working on a business plan to start a wedding planning company, and I'm excited about that. I hope to be able to travel in the low season, and even do some destination stuff.

Do anything-rehab and preserve historic homes, especially around Detroit. I love the architecture and the stories behind buildings. I'm short on both $ and knowledge for that one.