I had lost my father when I was just three months so, I don't know if Dad would have agreed to my decision of acquiring any skill.
This is a bit shocking to me. In my opinion, any parent would be happy to see their child learning as many skills as possible.
But saddle, I was never given a chance to undergo appropriate training and gaining professionalism in any of this skills.
Where I come from, when you reach the age of 18 and become a grown up, you make your own luck and give yourself the chance you need. So I'm afraid I don't quit understand who should have given you the chance. Have you been denied at those study or training courses?
My mum wasn't in support of skill acquisition with formal education at the same time so, I had to concentrate on schooling and now, it looks like it's late for me.
Never too late.