4 Flexible Part-Time Gigs for Stay-at-Home Moms

Being a stay-at-home mom can be hard, especially if you want to put that brain to work again and contribute to the family finances. But many moms aren’t ready to completely cut the cord. For others, childcare costs are just too high for both parents to work full-time outside of the home. For those moments when the baby is napping, the toddler is in preschool, or you’ve somehow otherwise found a chunk of quiet time for yourself, here are some ideas that will bring in some extra cash and help you think about something other than the wheels on the bus.

Blogging

If you are a good writer and have a lot to say, you might want to consider this option. At the very least, you will have an outlet for some of the insanity that goes along with parenting. There are several ways you can monetize a blog. For starters, you can place ads on your site that will generate revenue for you every time someone clicks on them. Another option is to work directly with brands by trying out products and writing about them on your page. Another important part of blogging is networking with other bloggers and getting involved in the community about which you write. This can be invaluable for a mom who spends much of her day without much interaction with other adults. Win win.

Selling Stuff

You know what I’m talking about here. You’ve no doubt been hit up by countless friends across all of your social media platforms. While some opportunities aren’t for everyone, a lot of people find the chance to sell products that they believe in when they have a spare moment or two incredibly rewarding. Plus, if you do go this route, you’ll probably get to try out new products before anyone else. Some of the popular companies you could consider consulting for include Jamberry, Rodan + Fields, LuLaRoe, and Chloe + Isabel.

Copy Editing

Some people have a keen eye for detail. Of course, copy editing goes far beyond knowing the difference between “your” and “you’re,” and “there,” “they’re,” and “their.” But if you’re the kind of person to notice these types of errors while you read, this side gig might be a viable option for you. There are countless publications that need copy editors who can bang out the work remotely. The New York Times often publishes a fun quiz called “Copy Edit This!” Check out the latest one to see if your skills are up to snuff.

Consulting

Chances are you are way overqualified to be reading Dr. Seuss all day. If you had a thriving career prior to having children, and/or you have an advanced degree or two, then you have something to offer the world. Countless companies are cutting costs by using consultants for individual projects. It makes more sense for them to hire someone who doesn’t need a desk on-site (or healthcare for that matter) who can lend her expertise to the issue at hand. If you’re a wiz at data analysis, marketing communications, social media strategy, coding, or if you have any number of other marketable skills, you need to put them to good use! Working from home on your own schedule is a real option. You might have to commit to a conference call here or there, but for the most part, consulting work can happen at any time of day. For starters, beef up your LinkedIn page, and reach out to everyone in your network (including your former employers and coworkers, your alma mater, and especially the career office of your former schools). You would be surprised where the opportunity might come from.