Darl, you've got a right to feel sad, it's hard when life changes.

But take it from an old fart ... life has a way of working out in ways that we can't predict no matter how much we try to find 'solutions' in our head.

I hope you don't mind me saying ... but that sounds like a pretty weird contract - wouldn't that be sex discrimination if they don't 'allow' you to take time off to have babies. Does the service have to be continuous?

In terms of Shel's prospects ... I know a few people who also left school in Year 10 and had a career change (or GOT a career) in their late 30s, some with study, some without. Friends of mine now run a backpackers after years of jobs here and there, another friend started studying to become a nurse after being a barmaid for much of her adult life - when she was 38 and other friends are now raking it on the mines after moving to WA in their early 40s with no mining experience whatsoever.

I know you said you didn't want replies but I just wanted to offer some reassurance - even though what I've written might be more annoying than reassuring at this point in time.