Not sure what to do anymore with my apprenticeship.

[Guest_49709140]

Jumping straight into it, I work for my dad age 55. I'm 20 and am the apprentice and pretty much his sole employee apart from the occasional cousin lending a hand on jobs. We're both plasterers/drywall and my dad takes alot of pride in his work, he is also a jw witness (religious), so although he jokes about it he always kinda views himself as a perfect human dosent smoke, dosent drink, always on time and keeps his word. While I've always respected that he tends to hang it on others when they fail to meet his standards, especially me it seems. Mainly due to me being late or missing work, not that it's an excuse but I do suffer from depression and haven't had it easy. So long story short good man, great dad but hard to work with. Getting to the actual story a few weeks ago my dad was arrested and taken out of state for a serious offence that has happened 25 plus years ago and even tho court proceedings aren't done he tells me he knows he is going to be doing time and it would be a minimun of a year if that. I'm a 3rd year apprentice with only one year left to go, although I've never raved about my job it has always been good money and a good opportunity for me to learn but in light of recent events I just feel like it's too much right now. I'm not saying to just leave my apprentice altogether but I feel like I need a break. My cousin has offered to take the apprentice over and continue running the business if my dad goes away but I've never really liked working for family to start off with because of the constant feelings of disappointment. Anyway just seeing if I get some advice. I know the logistics would be better if I just stuck out the apprenticeship then took of if I wanted but I've never felt so drained before.

[tranzcrybe]

If you need a break then it is the right decision for you.
However, if you consider father's incarceration as the cause of (or strongly influencing) your decision, then you might end up apportioning blame for whatever befalls you as a consequence.

Although a stressful time for everyone, try to remain objective and think on a broader scale for your future and the relationship you could/will have with your father in years to come.

You are now in a position to impose similar expectations of your father if you so choose but you already know how that feels, so what difference could you make in offering a shoulder to lean on in his time of despair?

[Scared]

Do not throw 3 hard years of work away.

You only have one more year on tools to go. 
Im sure there are employers willing to take on a 4th year apprentice if you need a change that badly.

Or next college break take a holiday and come back refreshed to work with family.

The important thing is to stick it out until you get your ticket. Dont overthink it.

Look forward to the big bucks as a tradesman and all the family things will get sorted if you just keep your head down.   Im a tradie and I hated tech but I kept going till i finished.

Plan a holiday when you get your ticket

as a reward.  
Thailand or Europe America you will be so happy you stayed.  I dont know whats going on with your dad but if you want to help him then finish your apprenticeship seriously