Wow, thanks for all the replies - I didn't expect to get so many!

At the moment with an 11 month old breastfed baby (and no plans to stop any time soon) and a preschooler, the only viable option would be to study externally. It's hard enough to balance 2 days at work without attending lectures on campus etc.

The other thing I should have mentioned is that I do only work 2 days a week. There is also the option that if things got too hectic I could drop that back to one day - there's a reason I've stayed in this job for so long…the money's great

Janie - hello! I don't mind you hijacking at all. We've had a few chats about this, I know you're in the same place at the moment. Re the LC thing - I've really looked into it, spoken to a few LCs and it's just such a vague area. There is no direct line of study to qualify to sit the IBCLC exam (can't remember the name of it, but you know what I mean). It's possible that counsellors through the ABA could qualify after years and years of face to face counselling and undertaking extra studies to cover the medical/science requirements. We all know that Barb's done it. But even then, there's no guarantees I'd qualify. Apparently the exam is extremely difficult (as it should be I suppose) and even candidates with medical and nursing experience find it challenging. As you know, I was supposed to start my ABA counsellor training but I had to put it off because I just couldn't meet the time commitments at the moment. It requires a lot of involvement at a local group level and I just wasn't finding the time. Speaking of which, you've just reminded me that I have to plan a group meeting for one of my CE assignments - eep! Better get onto that over the weekend. Anyway, I digress…

I've just been reading your thread Amy - well done!!

Maya - you make some great points. I can sit here for the next 5 years saying 'it'll take too long' or I can get started and slowly work my way through it.

I guess I have a lot to think about. In the meantime, I'm just checking out some uni websites and might contact UAC next week and have a chat to them. As my DH said to me today, my biggest hurdle is the lack of confidence I have in myself.

In the meantime, keep the responses coming ladies, I'd love to hear from more of you that are studying…