As a mother, you wear many hats. Your days are filled with caring for your children, managing the household, and so much more. But you’re also a multidimensional woman with professional skills, passions, and aspirations beyond motherhood. A side job offers the perfect route to earn additional income by making use of your talents in a family-friendly way.
Here, we’ll explore 15 of the best side jobs for moms, along with tips to get you started on the path to rewarding work on your own terms:
1. Freelance Writing
Freelance writing is one of the most accessible online side jobs for moms who want to earn income from home. In 2022, the average freelance writer earned $28 per hour, translating to over $58,000 annually for full-time work, according to Payscale data.
As a freelance writer, you can leverage your writing talents across a wide variety of clients and industries. From marketing copy to blog posts to web content and more, demand is high for skilled writers who can create custom content. Writing also has flexible hours and deadlines, letting you work during naptime, evenings, or weekends.
To start, identify your niche areas of interest and expertise. Sign up for free accounts on sites like Upwork, Freelancer, and BloggingPro to access writing gigs. Having a portfolio and professional website elevate your credentials.
2. Virtual Assistant
Around 43% of virtual assistants earn $20 or more per hour, according to a 2022 survey by Virtual Assistant Connection, making this a lucrative side job for organized, client-focused moms.
As a VA (virtual assistant), you‘ll provide administrative and operational support to clients such as entrepreneurs, small business owners, and busy professionals. Common tasks range from email management to data entry to calendar coordination and more. This opportunity lets you leverage your organizational superpowers.
Look into certification courses to sharpen your technical and communication skills in areas like social media, bookkeeping, project management, and software proficiency. Then create a profile on sites like Zirtual, Fancy Hands, and Belay to start connecting with clients in need of your VA talents.
3. Online Tutor
Does helping others excel get your heart racing? Online tutoring may be the ideal side job if you have teaching experience or expertise in academic subjects. Average wages exceed $20 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter.
With kids going back to school, demand for tutors is surging. As an online tutor, you can provide invaluable academic support and mentoring through virtual platforms. Subjects often include math, sciences. language arts, history, and test prep. This lets you share your knowledge flexibly from home.
Check requirements for popular tutoring platforms like Varsity Tutors, TutorMe, and Wyzant, which connect you with student clients. Having prior teaching experience and deep subject matter expertise are essential.
4. Handmade Crafts
Including all the world‘s greatest moms selling on Etsy: side hustle wives, creative moms, and fun crafting moms.
Crafty moms can generate income selling handmade crafts through sites like Etsy or at local fairs and markets. In 2021, full-time Etsy sellers earned a median of $66,000 annually, according to company data. With your creative talents, the possibilities are endless: jewelry, knitted goods, home decor, invitations, baked goods, and more.
Start by browsing top-selling products on Etsy to identify profitable niches that fit your skills. Set up a visually appealing Etsy shop showcasing your products. Reach customers through social media, blogging about your process, and participating in local pop-up markets. Keep fine-tuning your offerings based on customer feedback and demand.
5. Blogging
Launching a blog allows you to share your ideas, experiences, and expertise with a wider audience while earning income. Top bloggers make over $100,000 annually, according to income reports.
You can blog about almost anything that inspires you, from parenting tips to cooking/recipes to DIY projects and beyond. Monetize your blog through advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, eBooks, virtual courses, and consulting services.
Choose a profitable niche and web hosting platform. Create content that provides value to readers. Promote your blog through social media, email lists, and SEO optimization. Interact with your audience and continue refining your blog‘s focus based on metrics.
6. Childcare Services
Offering childcare services allows you to care for kids in your own home while earning income and being available for your own children. Average hourly rates for home childcare range from $15 to $35 per hour, according to Care.com data.
You might provide regular nanny services, babysitting, tutoring, or even preschool programming for families in your community. Your parenting know-how prepares you to provide nurturing, engaging supervision for children.
Consider undergoing CPR, first aid, and other childcare training to stand out. Reach parents through neighborhood groups and social media. Given the relationships formed, focus on quality over quantity of clients to start.
7. Pet Sitting or Dog Walking
For animal lovers, pet sitting or dog walking offers a flexible opportunity to enjoy furry companionship while making money. Pet sitters charge $15 to $40 per 30-minute visit on average, according to UrbanSitter. Dog walking rates average $15 to $25 per 20-minute walk.
You can visit pets in their own homes when owners travel or become a reliable midday dog walker for neighborhood pups. Set your own hours and build relationships with clients. Get exercise while spending time with adorable animals!
Spread the word on popular apps like Rover or Wag, or print flyers to distribute locally. Consider undergoing pet first aid training. Bring your kids along on gigs when possible for added bonding time (and don‘t forget pet treats!).
8. Consulting
Share your specialized expertise by working as an independent consultant in your industry or niches like parenting. Consultants typically charge $50 to $300+ per hour, depending on their field and experience.
You might help fellow mompreneurs polish their businesses. Guide clients through launching products, improving processes, reaching goals, and more. Your insider insights are invaluable. Offer services locally or virtually.
Leverage previous professional experience and “mom wisdom” as you begin. Seek certifications depending on your focus area to elevate authority. Attend networking events and promote your services through social platforms.
9. Graphic Design
As a graphic designer, you can provide visual branding and marketing services forsmall businesses, authors, bloggers, nonprofits and more. Full-time graphic designers make $42,000 to $77,000 per year on average.
Offer logo design, illustrations, website graphics, business cards, banners, social media posts, eBook covers, and other designs tailored to clients’ needs. Tap into your creative skills from home.
Build a portfolio highlighting your style and past design work. Create accounts on freelancing platforms like Fiverr and 99Designs to access projects. Continually sharpen your skills in programs like Adobe Creative Cloud.
10. Social Media Management
Help brands and businesses grow their online presence by offering social media management services. These managers earn approximately $32 per hour, according to Payscale.
As a social media manager, you’ll handle responsibilities like creating engaging posts, responding to customer comments and questions, developing social strategies, and analyzing performance data.
Familiarize yourself with popular social platforms and management tools like Sprout Social. Pursue training in social media strategy. Reach out to local businesses in need of your savvy services.
11. Transcription Services
Leverage your stellar typing, listening, and grammar skills through a home transcription side job. On average, transcriptionists earn $15 to $30 per audio hour transcribed, according to FrilansFinans.
Businesses, authors, researchers, and more turn audio files into text documents. You might transcribe podcasts, interviews, speeches, YouTube videos, focus groups, and more. This remote work is in high demand.
Sign up on sites like Rev and Scribie to access transcription jobs as you build up your experience. Expect an adjustment period as you refine accuracy and speed. But this flexible work can nicely fit around naps and playtime.
12. Event Planner
Help bring clients’ visions to life by coordinating weddings, parties, corporate functions, fundraisers, and other special events as an independent planner. Event planners earn approximately $50,000 annually.
Your natural organizational talents prepare you to handle event logistics like venues, catering, themes, decor, photography, entertainment, and more. Tap into your creativity while setting your schedule.
Consider pursuing a certificate in event planning. Start small by assisting at local happenings to make connections and gain hands-on experience before taking on your own clients.
13. Meal Prep and Delivery
Offer healthy, home-cooked meal prep and delivery tailored to clients’ dietary needs and preferences. Meal prep services charge $9 to $15 per meal on average.
Provide this convenient service for busy families, seniors, and health-focused professionals craving home-cooked meals without the hands-on prep. Develop rotating weekly menus using fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Take relevant training in safe food handling and nutrition fundamentals. Start by marketing your services through local outreach and social media before expanding your client base. Offer excellent service that keeps customers returning.
14. Fitness Instructor
Help others reach their health and fitness goals as a virtual or in-home personal trainer or group instructor. Personal trainers charge around $30 to $120 per session depending on experience.
You can teach specialized fitness classes online or in clients‘ homes at flexible times. Share your passion for movement while earning income and staying active yourself. Customize plans to each individual’s or group‘s needs. Consider pursuing official certifications in areas like yoga, strength training, and more. Attend fitness networking events to connect with potential clients excited for your guidance.
15. Language Services
If bilingual or multilingual, provide language services like translation and interpretation. Translators earn an average of $23 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter data. Interpreters average $25 per hour.
Leverage your gift for languages to help individuals and businesses accurately translate documents, audio files, websites, apps, and more between languages. Enable smooth communication and bridge cultural divides.
Gain experience through sites like Translated.net. Formal training in areas like medical or legal translation can open more opportunities. Join relevant professional associations. This remote work allows you to flexibly use your language talents.
Can I balance side work and parenting?
Absolutely! Side jobs offer flexibility to accommodate your family‘s needs. Set your own hours, working during downtime like naps, evenings, and weekends. The ability to control your schedule makes it manageable.
Where can I find clients?
Tap your existing networks and social media to share your services. Join sites like Fiverr and Upwork to access gigs. Attend local networking events related to your field. Positive word-of-mouth referrals go a long way.
What skills do I need to get started?
Time management and communication skills are vital. Business acumen like budgeting and self-promotion helps too. Specific skills vary across fields. Overall, side jobs allow you to learn as you go and build talents.
A side job presents moms with a fulfilling chance to earn additional income while maintaining flexibility and family time. With so many potential opportunities matching diverse interests and abilities, you can find a professional pursuit that‘s personally rewarding. From writing to event planning to fitness instruction, embrace this journey to thrive on your own terms as a working mom! Reclaim your professional identity, profit from your passions, and achieve that elusive work-life balance.
