Stay-at-home mom jobs offer moms an opportunity to keep their hand in their careers or pursue a favorite hobby while also making money. At the same time, they afford moms the flexibility to stay home with younger children or be there after school for older kids.
“There are so many options when it comes to working from home that it can be hard to name just a few,” says Alexa Mason, the creator and blogger behind Single Moms Income. Before you make any major decisions, check out what’s out there and how you can create your own career from your living room!
Here are 12 options to help you make your own career path:
- Try Freelance Writing
Whether you’re bringing current events to an Internet audience, are a content provider or you like to create imaginative prose, freelance writing can bring in a full-time income. The median income for writers is $55,940 per year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. “I would say you need to be able to invest at least 10 hours per week to start and probably work full-time to make a really good living,” says Gina Horkey, the writer and creator of the Horkey Hand Book.
- Be a Virtual Assistant
Mason suggests this online administrative job as an alternative to popular web-based careers, such as writing and blogging. Horkey routinely publishes a monthly online income report. According to Horkey, 60 percent of her $5,032 after-expense total income in April 2015 came from being a virtual assistant.
- Put Social Media Management Skills to Use
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest — social media managers can help anyone from major corporations to bloggers connect with their audience. An experienced, full-time social media manager can expect to make an average of $46,000 annually, according to the website PayScale.
- Be Your Own CEO
“I think any work-from-home job that you can turn into a freelance business (meaning finding your own clients) has unlimited income potential,” says Mason. Try ideas that play up your strengths or former career. Were you an accountant? Start your own at-home company! Did you work in marketing? Consider consulting. You set your hourly rate, so how much you earn is up to you.
- Start Blogging
Get personal with your writing! “If I were a new writer again,” says Horkey, “I would do the same thing I did — start my own blog, write for free (taking on non-paying clients) and get samples by networking and guest-posting on other … blogs.” Write about your interests, passions or personal life. Once established, bloggers can earn payment by reviewing products or sponsoring companies, in addition to selling ad space on their site.
- Sell Stuff
“It’s also possible to make a good wage selling online at places like Amazon, eBay and Etsy,” Mason notes. Crafty moms may want to sell homemade jewelry or custom clothing. Those with an interest in history or a passion for collecting rare items may find that reselling antique finds are more their speed. If you feel more comfortable with a product backed by a company, businesses such as Sabika jewelry and Young Living essential oils let you sell from home or stage “sales parties.”
- Explore Affiliate Sales
When you don’t have a product to sell, affiliate sales allow you to take a percentage of other business’s profits. Add affiliate links from sites such as Amazon to your website or blog and earn each time someone buys.
- Become a Graphic Designer
Make your job your creative outlet. Mason lists this as an option for moms who have at least a bachelor’s degree in the field. Expect an average annual salary of $44,150, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Try Data Entry
You’ve got a laptop, so use it. Companies often outsource data-entry duties to home-based employees, making this a great low-stress option.
- Be a Virtual Teacher
If you have a teaching license or credential, teaching students who want an online education can be just as rewarding as teaching in a classroom. The salary depends on the district’s or school’s pay rate and whether you teach full-time or per credit.
- Be a Planner
You already take pride in planning events for your family, so get paid to do it for others. Birthdays, weddings, anniversaries — you can plan them all from your living room. Is travel more up your alley? Book trips, set schedules and help clients plan top-notch vacations.
- Take Your Current Job and Do It at Home
Some companies allow employees to swap a cubical for an at-home office. Before bringing it up, have a plan that outlines the advantages to the company ready to present to your boss.
Avoid scams that promise at-home work opportunities but ask you for money upfront or promise thousands of dollars for little work. Keep in mind that the annual salaries earned from stay-at-home mom jobs vary greatly, based on your experience and the current market. Even though you’re working at home, you may still need child care.
For information on child care options, read Child Care Choices: Au Pair, Daycare or Nanny?
Erica Loop is a mom, parenting writer and educator with an MS degree in child development. When she’s not teaching, she’s busy creating kids’ activities for her blog, Mini Monets and Mommies.