Part Time Jobs for Stay-at-Home Parents

Raising kids is no easy task, especially when trying to stretch a single paycheck from week to week. When one parent has decided to stay at home with the family, a part time job can help to provide some much needed financial support. The good news is that there are many part time career options that give stay at home parents the power to earn and create a balanced family life.

Why choose to stay at home as a parent?

The decision to stay at home and hold down a part time job is one that more parents are opting for. There are several reasons for this. First and foremost, the ability to care for one’s own children instead of placing them in a daycare situation can provide peace of mind. Secondly, it can actually be more economical for parents to stay at home for at least the first few years of their children’s lives. According to Child Care Aware of America’s Parents and the High Cost of Child Care: 2012 Report, “in 40 states and the District of Columbia, the average annual cost of center-based infant care exceeded 10 percent of the state’s median income for a two-parent family”.

Other reasons why parents may choose to stay at home include the time and cost of commuting, which can be high depending on where the family lives and works. It’s not uncommon for parents to spend as much as one to two hours on the road shuttling kids back and forth to school, going to the workplace, and running other errands. Then there are the costs of having a work wardrobe, dining out, and all the other miscellaneous costs that quickly add up.

Taking a part time job that allows the freedom and flexibility to work from home can be an ideal situation. David Ning, author and founder of the personal finance blog MoneyNing, advises that, “part time work can keep job skills current and allow for networking that could lead to a full time job if the need arises.” This is especially important if the primary breadwinner in the family should suddenly face a layoff.

Great part time jobs for stay-at-home parents

Fortunately, there are a vast number and types of part time jobs that stay at home parents can take while raising their budding families. Here are a few suggestions.

Wholesale E-commerce Sales

The Internet has made it possible for anyone to set up shop online, selling a variety of goods from the comfort of home. Wholesalers often provide deals to stay at home parenting groups, who then sell these items online with ecommerce websites. Some companies will even drop-ship for you so there’s no need for storage or shipping costs.

Freelance Writing and Blogging

Got a penchant for writing about a specific topic or interest? Then a part time career as a freelance writer or blogger may be your ticket to fame. Bloggers create and manage content for business and personal blogs, earning by each article. Freelance writers often create copy for websites, marketing materials, letters, and even resumes for job seekers.

Telephone and Chat Customer Service

If you have a clear telephone voice and you like talking to new people, then a part time job as a telephone customer service agent could be a good fit for you. Got background noise from the family? Then you may want to try your hand at being a live chat support agent instead.

Crafting and Hobby Work

Everyone has at least one special talent for creating something beautiful or useful. Why not cash in on this gift by creating custom pieces for others and selling them online or at local flea markets and sales for profit? From jewelry, sewing and crochet to woodworking and painting; there’s always someone looking for the creative work you can produce.

Website and Software Development

Do you consider yourself to be a little on the nerdy and technical side? A part time job creating professional websites or developing software apps may be a good avenue for you. Put your technical skills to use and work on creating improved products and websites that help other entrepreneurs succeed too.

These are just a handful of the many part time jobs that stay at home parents can consider as they look for ways to experience work-life balance and earn a nice income. Discover your strengths and interests by making a list of the things you like to do, and match them up to a part time job that works with your family commitments.

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