What to do afterwards?

This is really something you need to think about based on what you enjoy and your circumstances. For a realistic shot at academia you need to do a PhD but financially that may not be viable for 3-4 years. Maybe consider doing it part time and working part time? If I were you I'd work for a bit after the masters and get yourself back into the swing of managing a (young?) family and working and then consider the PhD.

Most mums find they never really reach the same salary point they used to be at before having kids. The time out of employment significantly decreases your value in the labour market.

A lot of back to work mums go into basic admin jobs or marketing. You could also look at flexible supermarket roles.

I have just started a part time taught MA in history. I am 33, mum of 3 and have been a stay at home mum for 5+ years, and my career pretty much died 7 years ago when I had my first little boy.

Since starting this process people have constantly asked what will be next and it's getting to me. It's a 2year course and I have daydreams about academic life but let's face it really it's highly competitive so I have to be realistic and have a plan B, c and D lol. I also don't know if I can even pass yet having been out of academia for over a decade.

Is there anyone else in a similar position? I really have no clue and while I know I have a year at least before I need to have some idea, this does keep coming back to haunt me.

I think my other options are:
Market research (did 2years in attractions Mr and loved it but the technical bits are dull as dishwater!)
Childcare/education - due to my boys I need a job that will work around my kids so need to be on an academic timetable.
Of course there's always phd but I would like to actually earn some money at some point if only to give my poor hubby a bit of a break!! L

I have just started a part time taught MA in history. I am 33, mum of 3 and have been a stay at home mum for 5+ years, and my career pretty much died 7 years ago when I had my first little boy.

Since starting this process people have constantly asked what will be next and it's getting to me. It's a 2year course and I have daydreams about academic life but let's face it really it's highly competitive so I have to be realistic and have a plan B, c and D lol. I also don't know if I can even pass yet having been out of academia for over a decade.

Is there anyone else in a similar position? I really have no clue and while I know I have a year at least before I need to have some idea, this does keep coming back to haunt me.

I think my other options are:
Market research (did 2years in attractions Mr and loved it but the technical bits are dull as dishwater!)
Childcare/education - due to my boys I need a job that will work around my kids so need to be on an academic timetable.
Of course there's always phd but I would like to actually earn some money at some point if only to give my poor hubby a bit of a break!! L

You're essentially talking about being a working mother, which isn't exactly a peculiar or special situation. Perhaps somewhere like Mumsnet might be better able to help with the practicalities? Plenty of people do it, so there must be a pool of experience there you can draw from.

As for a PhD, that's not a cure-all. My PhD contract gave me five weeks holiday a year and there is now a standard employment-style formal leave booking and authorisation system. Once you're past undergrad level and studying full-time, you're on a normal working timetable. Having said that, if you could land a funded PhD, that would give you around £15k a year which would help with the household bills.

After a PhD, full-time academics certainly don't get university holidays as leave. That's the time when they concentrate on the funding/grant-generating research which sustains their place in the department. Although as a post-doc, you're the lowest member of the faculty and you'll have to pay your dues before getting a long contract. You'll hop from short contract to short contract, probably having to move around the country chasing the opportunities. I'm not sure your view of 'the academic life' is entirely up with current events.

I can't think of many jobs outside of a school that are term time only. Even teaching can require you to be at school some evenings and come in early. My Mum is a teacher, she used childcare as have all the other Mums shes worked with and there were always times when our holidays weren't exactly the same.

But...... Then why (apart from selfish bucket list type reasons) am I doing this degree and wasting 2years?