29 Jobs For New Moms (Who Can't Afford A Babysitter)

2 Dec 2020

Written & Illustrated by
Matthew Taylor

Reviewed & Edited by
Alison Stegert

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Raising your child while on maternity leave is fine, but what about when it's time to go back to work? What if you can’t afford a babysitter or daycare? Either you need to find a job that you can do from home while also watching your kid, or you need a part-time job outside the home that's flexible enough to do when free family help is available.

In this post, you'll explore 29 jobs that are great for new moms who can't afford a babysitter. They're all super flexible and let you work around your existing childcare schedule. I'm sure you can find a few jobs on this list that you'll love doing to earn some extra money!

1. Yoga or Fitness Instructor

Do you have a passion for exercise? Being a yoga or fitness instructor can be super flexible.

Lots of yoga or pilates instructors are self-employed. That means they can make flexible and part-time schedules.

If you work at a studio or gym, you can swap classes with another instructor if unexpected commitments come up.

You can schedule your yoga sessions in a local park near your home so that you can quickly and conveniently walk there. You may even invite people over to take your yoga class in your backyard.

I know a personal trainer who makes house calls directly to her clients’ homes to help with their fitness. You might consider doing this and scheduling your appointments in the evening when your partner is home to look after your baby.

2. Childcare Provider

Want to be a stay-at-home parent but also earn some extra money? Watching two or three kids isn't overwhelmingly harder than watching one.

If you're going to be watching your own kid anyway, why not earn extra cash by starting a babysitting or daycare service to help other parents?

In most places, you can open an unlicensed daycare or babysitting center without needing special certification. If you're really ambitious and want to watch more than just a few kids, you'll likely need to apply for a license and have your daycare inspected by a government official.

It’s definitely a convenient option. You get to look after your own child all day, and they also get an awesome opportunity to meet some new friends.

3. Newspaper Carrier

I bet you thought delivering newspapers was just a job for kids.Think again!

Someone needs to deliver all those papers from the newspaper printer to individual carriers, and that person can be you.

Being a newspaper carrier doesn't make you a ton of money since you only need to do it a couple of days per week. But the job can be done in just a few hours in the morning or afternoon, which leaves you free to watch your kids for the rest of the day.

It can be a great way to earn a couple hundred extra dollars per week. To deliver papers you'll need a reliable vehicle, and you'll need to pay for all the maintenance and general costs associated with driving your own car.

4. Direct Selling

Companies like Amway, Avon, Herbalife, Mary Kay, and Tupperware give you an opportunity to run your own business from home.

These companies provide you with great products and the training you need to start your own business franchise. The best part is that no experience is necessary.

The downside is that you have to find your own customers and leads. If you have a large social circle, this might be easy for you, but some people really struggle.

Normally direct selling involves hosting parties where you try to sell your products to your friends and family. That means you only need to work evenings and weekends.

Most of these companies also give you a percentage of any sales made by other people you recruit below you. So if you get in early, you can set up a team of direct sellers and earn money each month without needing to sell on your own any more.

Be aware that people who get involved with these kinds of businesses often start to seem obnoxious in the eyes of their friends and family. Don't try to pressure people into buying your products, or you may turn away the people who are closest to you. Making a quick sale isn't worth ruining a friendship.

5. Driving For Uber or Lyft

Maybe your partner works irregular shifts, so it's hard to schedule any other kind of job. In that case, driving for companies like Lyft, Uber, or food delivery services like Just Eat, Deliveroo, or Skip The Dishes might be the right choice for you.

These companies are like working for a taxi or courier service except you can work as much or as little as you want, clocking in and out whenever you wish. Just get in your car, open the app, and you're ready to start accepting fares.

If you're a confident driver, you can make some good money zipping around the city, especially during peak hours like when bars are closing or on holidays like New Year's Eve, when you can charge extra.

These companies will normally reimburse you for damages or messes to your car from fares you pick up, such as vomit or food spilled in your car. But you're on your own to cover the cost of fuel, maintenance, and regular car cleaning.

Before signing up for a ridesharing career, consider the safety aspects. You will be inviting strangers inside your car. The biggest risk comes from inebriated passengers, something that’s more likely to happen at night. Is daytime driving something you can manage? Uber and Lyft provide a rating system for both drivers and passengers, so you can check out your passengers’ past behavior and make an informed choice.

Food delivery, such as Uber Eats, Postmates, and DoorDash, or a goods delivery service, such as Shipt or Instacart are ways to earn while you drive, but in these cases you don’t have to allow strangers into your car.

6. Beauty Stylist

Have a knack for aesthetics? You can provide nail or hairstyling services while your partner is home to watch your baby or while your baby naps.

The laws on having this type of business in your home will vary in different states and countries. Check your local laws, as you may also require a license or have to pass an inspection with a health inspector.

7. Massage Therapist

You'll need to go to school for massage therapy to obtain a license before you can practice. Depending on where you live, the requirements vary from 300 to 1,000 hours in class. With an intensive program, you might be able to get your license in just a few weeks, while studying part-time might take you a couple of years.

Once you have your massage degree or certification, you can practice however you want. You can schedule clients in a way that's convenient for you: they can come to your home or business or you can make house calls.

8. Educational Materials Creator

You can create educational materials from home at your leisure. These include things like worksheets and lessons in digital formats.

Teachers may buy lesson plans pre-made from you in advance to save themselves the work. Parents also want to buy educational materials to supplement their child's learning at home with some extra work.

If you have the educational know-how, you can easily make educational materials in your spare time while your child is taking a nap or even while you're watching TV.

9. Tutor

Being a tutor lets you set your own hours and take on as few or as many students as you want.

You can work from home and have your students come to you. Tutoring earns good money, and you get the satisfaction of helping struggling students improve their grades.

Generally, the younger a child is, the more basic their learning material will be and the easier they'll be to tutor.

No matter what age group you tutor, you’ll need to prove you’re competent. If you have a college degree in a subject like math or history, you can specialize and provide assurance that you know what you're doing.

10. Author

Have you ever wanted to be a famous author? The chances of you becoming the next JK Rowling or Stephen King are slim, but if you're a talented writer, you've got a chance at success.

If you enjoy creating fantasy worlds and stories in your spare time, why not take that extra little step? Get your work edited and as polished as you can. Then try to find a publisher who will work with you, or self-publish your own work on websites like Amazon.

Writing books isn't limited to fiction either. Are you the expert on a specific topic? It can be anything from basket weaving to fishing. People will pay good money for non-fiction books that teach them how to do something they want to learn.

Writing books takes a long time, and the publishing process can take even longer—sometimes years! This isn’t the job to undertake if you need cash now. However, writing regularly can benefit you in lots of ways, from journaling for good mental health to creating unbeatable resumes and job applications.

11. Graphic Designer

If you're an artist, you can make good money creating graphics for people.

Businesses need all kinds of digital graphics made up like logos, invitations, greeting cards, illustrations, and more.

To get started, you'll need the right computer software. Put together a portfolio to show samples of your work to prospective clients.

The good news is that you can learn the basics of graphic design online. Once you're ready to start earning money, you can do graphic design work in your spare time, even while your kids are around.

To find clients and make yourself easier to find, you can start finding jobs on websites like Fiverr. But you'll eventually want to make your own website and platform to sell your work.

12. Sewing

Everybody needs their clothes hemmed, repaired, or sewn at some point.

If you've already got a sewing machine and good selection of thread, buttons, and other supplies, then you've got everything you need to get started.

Professional tailors charge big fees to do alterations. If you can match their quality of work at a lower price, you're sure to steal some of their business. Plus, if you're working from home, you don't have all the overhead costs of renting a store, which makes it even easier to compete.

13. Music Teacher

Did your parents make you learn piano or guitar all throughout your childhood? Now it's time to put those skills to use.

Teach other kids (and even adults) how to play an instrument or sing, and you can earn some good money for each lesson. You'll need to be good at your craft though so you can show examples of what you're teaching.

Since most music instructors teach from home, it's really convenient. Plus some of your passion for music and work ethic might rub off on your own child.

14. Hosting Exchange Students

Do you have a spare bedroom? Letting a foreign exchange student stay with you can earn you a couple extra hundred dollars per week. Most exchange students are high achievers, meaning they tend to be serious about their studies and well-behaved. Hosting has fewer risks than just opening up your home to rent to a random tenant.

To host an exchange student, you'll need to pass a background check.

It's an enjoyable way to earn some extra money. All you have to do is give the student a place to stay and meals, which you'll already be providing for your own child.

15. Photographer

Photography is another skill that you can learn yourself by researching online and taking digital courses. In your spare time, you can become a paid photographer.

Once you've got the skills you need to take great photos consistently, you'll want to create a portfolio of your best work to show to clients.

Wedding photographers make fantastic money, but photographers are needed for all sorts of other formal events as well.

16. Taking Surveys

This one isn't really something you can do as a full-time job, but you can make a little extra money by filling out surveys online.

You just need to find legitimate websites that will pay you real money with no experience needed. Then you choose when and how many surveys you want to take, and can earn from $1 to $20 for each survey!

Some people just enjoy doing surveys, so it can be a fun way to earn a few extra dollars in your spare time.

17. Life Coach

Anyone can be a life coach, although having a degree in counseling, psychology, or sociology helps. Life coaching courses can be completed online or in person.

There's a huge market for coaching and consulting with people. Either in person or digitally by doing video calls via Skype.

You're already a parent, so you've got some useful insight to give to expecting parents. They're likely more than happy to pay for a few hours of your time to find answers and advice from someone with experience.

Being a life coach gives you completely flexible scheduling. Life coaching can be done either face-to-face or digitally by doing video calls via Zoom or Skype. You can take on as few or as many clients as you want and schedule them for times that work for you.

18. Baker

Does everyone rave about your cookies, cakes, or bread?

Why not make money baking for other people? You can either bake for individuals, for school or church bake sales or to cater for larger events.

Bake as much or as little as you want. Plus your partner and kids will be happy to taste test or eat any extras that are left over!

You'll need some basic supplies like various pans and dishes, which you already have if you're a proficient baker. You'll want to buy basic ingredients like flour, sugar, etc., in bulk once you have a consistent customer base.

You can bake people's orders all day while also keeping an eye on your toddler. Customers can pick up their fresh bread and other baked goods on their way home from work, or you can deliver in the evening while your partner watches the baby.

Some places have laws about what foods can be prepared at home. You might need a license, or running a baking business from within your home might not be allowed at all. Be sure to check with your city or state to see what your local laws are. You might need to have your kitchen inspected and classified as a commercial bakery, and you might have to obtain food handling permits and undergo regular health inspections.

19. Making Jewelry or Crafts

Crafty moms can make money selling their creations! Websites like Etsy let you open up your own free online shop.

The selling possibilities are endless: handmade jewelry, homemade lip balms or soap, candles, leather, crochet, or whatever else you're into.

In addition to products, you can produce unique pattern ideas for knitting, scrapbooking, or sewing and sell them as digital PDFs for others to use in their own crafting.

20. Repairing (and Assembling) Furniture

Are you handy with tools? Help people by repairing or restoring their old furniture and earn hundreds of dollars per item!

You'll need your own tools, but if you already have a fully stocked garage or workshop, then you've already got everything you need.

Your furniture business can be as simple as sanding and refinishing tabletops, all the way up to creating your own custom furniture from scratch. There’s even a market for flat-pack assemblers. If you’re handy with an allen key, there are people who will pay you to put together their IKEA furniture!

21. Virtual Assistant

Businesses of all sizes are now using virtual assistants.

What's a virtual assistant? Think of it as a digital secretary or admin person.

As a VA, you'd help provide administrative support to clients from the comfort of your own home. Tasks can vary widely, but you might be asked to do data entry work, sending invoices, scheduling meetings, monitoring email, or managing blogs.

You can choose to specialize in areas of expertise and market those skills to clients. You don't need to be a general jack (or jill) of all trades. There are plenty of specialized opportunities that allow you to do something you enjoy to earn extra money, all from your laptop.

Be sure to research and make sure you're working with a legitimate company though!

22. Transcriptionist

A transcriptionist takes audio or video recordings and types them out into text format.

You only need basic computer skills to be a transcriptionist. But the faster you can type, the more money you can make!

You can find clients yourself, or work for a home transcription company. The latter will take a small percent of the money you earn, but provide you with consistent work.

Transcription jobs are generally short, like a five- or ten-minute video that needs to be typed out into text. But you might be asked to type out a whole speech from a conference or similar event, which can earn you some serious money.

23. Data Entry

Like being a transcriptionist, data entry requires some basic computer skills.

Data entry typically involves the use of spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel. You might need to key information into a spreadsheet or database or format it in a specific way.

As long as you've got the right technical skills and basic computer equipment, it can be a good job to earn some extra money.

24. Online Teaching

There are an increasing number of online teaching jobs. The majority of these involve teaching English to students in China. Others involve tutoring. And some simply have you engage in normal conversations with foreign students to help improve their English language skills.

They're almost all available on a flexible and part-time basis.

25. Social Media Manager

Big companies and brands need whole teams of dedicated people to handle their social media and marketing for them. Behind every big corporation’s social media presence, there is an intern, an employee, a freelancer, or a virtual assistant handling the day-to-day tasks.

If you're spending all of your day on Facebook and Twitter anyway, why not get paid to do it? People under 35 years old grew up with social media and know it inside and out. So what might seem simple and intuitive to you could be a skill that older business owners are very eager to hand over—and pay for.

You might simply need to schedule and post on one of a company's social media accounts, or you might manage a whole network of all of their accounts.

26. Search Engine Evaluator

Search engines have complicated algorithms that help them determine which websites contain quality content and should rank higher. But they also need real humans to periodically check search results to make sure they're accurate, comprehensive and free of spam.

Much like social media, this is an opportunity to make money at something you're probably already doing anyway – browsing the internet! So why not get paid for it?

Companies like Google, Appen, Lionbridge, and Leapforce are regularly hiring search engine evaluators.

27. Proofreading or Editing

Do you have an English degree that you're just itching to put to use? Or are you always finding grammar and spelling mistakes when reading the newspaper? Why not be an online proofreader or editor?

A proofreader or editor checks various kinds of work like books and articles for spelling and grammar errors, or they find ways to improve the writing.

28. Freelance Writing

You don't need a journalism or English degree to be a freelance writer. Lots of new moms earn a nice side income by doing freelance writing in the evenings or on weekends.

All kinds of people are looking to hire writers. Blogs look for someone to write posts for them. Online magazines need quality articles written. Some people even want entire books on a subject researched and created for them.

Websites like Upwork or Textbroker are an easy way to find businesses who are seeking writers. Or you can go professional and create your own website to charge higher rates.

29. Blogging

If you don't want to deal with writing for other people, what about writing for yourself?

If you've got a passion or special knowledge about something, why not make a blog about it and share what you know with the world?

Blogs aren't a good way to make money overnight. It takes a lot of dedication and hard work before your blog will become a success. But once you've got enough articles on your blog and search traffic is coming in, your blog will generate passive income on autopilot each month.

The first step is to create a blog with great content. Then you'll need to use advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsorships, or creating your own products to start generating money from your blog.