Life has a way of changing when you have kids. If you were in a job and decided to stay home when you had children, the income level of your household probably declined greatly. This is where a stay at home job can come in handy. It can help pay the bills and give you extra spending money. I’m sure we could all benefit from that. I’m going to list some stay at home mom jobs that you may want to consider. Some I have even personally done!
Craft Shows
This is one of my favorites. If you are crafty or even if you aren’t, there is always something that you could sell at craft shows. The stay at home part is that you can make things at home during the week. Then on Saturdays, especially in the months leading up to Christmas, most towns have craft shows that you can attend and sell your wares. Ask around or call your chamber of commerce to find out when the craft shows are in your area.
Depending on the age of your kids, they may want to help you out when you make things. There is always something kids can help with. If you are at a loss for what to make, then visit a craft show and to get ideas. Chances are you will see lots of moms and maybe even some mom friends behind booths selling their crafts. Some may have children with them. My daughter has been with me behind our booth at each show since she was five months old.
Secret Shopper
If you like to shop and spy at the same time, you may enjoy being a secret shopper. I did it for awhile after my daughter was just born. You can search the words, “secret shopper” and agencies that will let you apply will come up for you to choose from.
Once the company hires you, you can accept or decline jobs in your area. When you accept a job, you read what the agency wants you to look for when you shop at a certain store. Then you report back to them with how it all went. For example, I remember having an assignment at a grocery store to go and buy something from the deli (the agency reimbursed me about $20 to buy some groceries and paid a small stipend for my time). I was to report back about if the deli staff had their name tags on and if they were friendly. I also had to look to see if weekly sales were being promoted. For example, I remember having to check to see if the ketchup was on sale.
Once you get home from shopping, you will go online and report back with what you saw and how things went. A check will then arrive in the mail reimbursing you for what you were required to buy and some money for your time. If you live in a populated area with many stores, this might be a fun little side job, especially if you enjoy shopping.
Babysitting
If you are already at home with your child or multiple children, you may want to consider taking in some more children as a babysitting job. I have not done this, but my sister did when her three kids were little. She ended up liking it so much that she got certified to open a home daycare so that she could take in more kids. She was able to help out other moms while they went to work, and make some money for her family in the process.
Freelance Writing
If you like to write, you may want to spend some time looking for freelance jobs online. Freelancers can make anywhere from 3 cents a word to 30 cents a word, with 7 cents a word being the average. Some moms enjoy the writing and extra money and make a lucrative career out of it. I have a mom friend that has told me for years to try it out, but I was too busy with other ways of making money and not sure how to start. I wish I had tried it sooner, as I enjoy writing and it provides an income for my family without me having to leave my home.
Keep Your Options Open
I was a teacher before my daughter was born. I knew that I wanted to retire from teaching and stay home with her when she entered my world. When she turned 1-month old, I considered jobs where I could keep her with me. At first, I checked into buying a local women’s fitness gym that was being sold. But I realized I’d need to be there with my daughter from sunup to sundown. I frankly didn’t want that lifestyle. I wanted her to be able to sleep in and grow up in the comforts of our home.
So, just three months after my daughter’s birth I took a leap of faith and started my own business. For me, my choice of business was an alpaca farm that I named Big Horn Mountain Alpacas. The last 12 years have been like living a dream. My daughter has been by my side through it all. From farm births, farm deaths, learning new skills like how to shear a lively four-legged animal, spin yarn, and attend craft shows with what we’ve made from their fiber, we have learned and lived life together.
Don’t be afraid to take that leap of faith and start a stay at home mom business. Mine was and still is a farm business that I love. Yours may be very different from mine. Many of my stay at home mom friends have started businesses too. Their choices have included everything from making personalized t-shirts to roasting and selling coffee. Step out of your comfort zone and follow your dreams. Now may be the best time to start that business while staying home with your kids.
For more information, check out our Top 10 Favorite Side Jobs Ideas.
