For the past several years, my job has been related to child care (my own and others). As my children grow, I'm wondering how I can earn income in a different way and still be available for my children. Where do I start figuring out what's next?
As you enter a new phase of life, it can be exciting and scary to wonder about what can and should change. Thankfully, the Spirit and others can help guide you. You could spend time reading the Bible or Christian books, spend more time in prayer or another spiritual discipline, or you could talk to a spiritual director. Furthermore, it's good to find people who can encourage you, help you better understand your skills and passions, and connect you with others.
It is wise to speak with people doing jobs that you find appealing. While this might feel like something only younger people need to do, both your interests and what jobs look like are likely to have shifted in the past 10-15 years. As you talk to people, see if you can imagine yourself doing that job and how hard it would be to become qualified. As you consider your experience and skills, don't forget the experience you might have from volunteering or all the organizational skills you will have built up through doing child care.
Including your family in this conversation about what's next can show that you value your children's growing independence and that you believe they have wisdom to share. Hopefully they can express any concerns they have about potential changes, including how you'll still be available to them when more of your time is going to help others and serve God in ways that might make them feel less central.
As this is a big change, it will likely take extra energy and feel challenging at times. If you can temporarily decrease how much you work and/or how much income you need, this could create more time to pray about this, talk through it with others, take a class, volunteer, and/or get other experience. Through the process, hopefully you will be filled with joyful anticipation as you wonder about how you might serve God and help others in ways that you are not currently able to do.