When you decide to be a stay-at-home Mom or Dad, you could potentially be giving up your career. Not only will your work environment change, but so will your income. Although being a stay-at-home mom or dad is A LOT of work, your reward doesn’t come in the form of income.
Yes, you get to spend time with your children, but you also require income to take care of them. When you decide to stay-at-home with your children, you do not need to rule out a source of income. There are many side jobs available, which can be done from home or within the local community.
Although there are local positions available, the Internet has opened up a whole new world of possibilities. Moms and Dads can create an income from the comfort of their home while they watch their children. This not only eliminates childcare costs, but increases your family’s overall income.
The following jobs are some of the best options in terms of accessibility and potential income. Focus on the skills you have. How can you turn those skills into income? The following side jobs will help you re-think your current opportunities.
1. Freelance
As a stay-at-home Mom or Dad, you can create a freelance business. Although many associate freelancers with writers and graphic designers, these are not your only options. A freelancer simply means you’re self-employed.
Think about your skills. What do people tell you you’re good at? Do you decorate cakes? Perhaps you have photography skills. Whatever you skills are, you can turn them into profit. If you’d like to write, translate, design, sell products, develop software, etc. oDesk is a great site when you’re starting out.
Once you decide what your business will be, it’s up to you to market yourself. Show potential clients that you have something special to offer them. You can create a website that displays your portfolio. This will help build a client-base. You should also continually network, building contacts.
2. Monetize Your Blog
Before you make income off your blog, you need to build one of course. Focus on a specific niche, writing content that targets your main audience. There are a wide variety of blogs out there, so research what hasn’t been done. You should make your blog unique to build more traffic.
The key to making money on your blog is consistency. You need to update your blog at least once a week in order to gain repeat traffic. You can create income through ad programs, ebooks, affiliate programs, and so much more. This is a great option for anyone who wants to put the work into successfully building a blog.
Remember, you will need to be patient. A successful blog will not happen overnight. Make sure you’re reaching out on social media sites. If your site has photographs, Pinterest is a great way to increase traffic.
3. Sell Your Handmade Crafts Online
Are you someone that loves crafts? Although crafts are a fun hobby for many, they also have the potential to generate income. Etsy is an incredible site that helps individuals sell their handmade products and crafts. Whether you enjoy knitting, woodworking or soap-making, Etsy provides a great online storefront for potential customers.
If you already have an inventory of crafts, all you need to do is continue being creative, while packaging and mailing orders. Payments will generally be made through PayPal, which is very easy to set-up. There is a lot of potential in crafts and handmade goods. If you stay focused, you can create a successful small business.
4. Teach a Skill
There are so many options when it comes to teaching skills. Some of the most common are music lessons. You can have students come to your home, offering voice lessons, piano lessons, or any other instrument that you’re skilled at.
There are also individuals who are looking to learn how to sew or knit. You may even offer cooking classes. The skill you teach will be based on what you personally have to offer. Once you decide on a skill, get the word out. Let people know at your local church or your child’s school. You can even post an ad online or within your local community center.
5. Daycare Provider
While you’re at home watching your children, why not create a family day care center? The need for child care is increasing. With many individuals on waiting lists or looking for cheaper options, you could provide an excellent service.
Depending on the age of your home, your start-up costs would be minimal. You may require specific licences, so contact your local government regarding the steps you need to take. Background checks are often required as well.
If you love kids, this is a great way to stay home with your little ones, while creating an income. Just remember, you will need a designated area for the daycare. This will include childproofing and accommodating children with toys and learning materials.
6. Direct Sales Representative
There are many companies such as Pampered Chef and Avon that provide great jobs for stay-at-home parents. If you are passionate about specific products, why not sell them to others? In order to sign-up, you typically need to become a registered representative.
Based on what you sell, you will make commission. This is a great side job to create some extra cash-flow. If you’re looking into more reliable, consistent work, then you could also focus on concrete sales options. Telesales for hundreds of companies is available for individuals who work from home.
You Can Do It
Choosing to stay at home doesn’t need mean you need to drop to a single income. You can generate income while caring for your children. Focus on your own personal skills and what you have to offer. As long as you stay focused, market your products or services, and stay committed, it is possible maintain an income generating at home career while raising your children.
