Guest post by Gwen Payne of InvisibleMoms.com

If you’ve traded your full-time office job for a chance to stay at home with your children, that doesn’t mean you need to put your career on hold or stop working completely. With so many flexible job opportunities that allow you to work from home and set your own schedule, it’s entirely possible to earn a living as a stay-at-home mom or dad. To explore some of the best job opportunities for stay-at-home parents, read on! 

Freelance Work Opportunities

As a stay-at-home mom or dad, much of your day is likely spent feeding, cleaning, teaching, and entertaining your children — and juggling other responsibilities like cooking meals, cleaning house, and shopping for groceries. With so much work to be done around the house, the thought of taking on a paid job may seem like too much. However, Forbes points out that freelancing could be a great way to make money while staying home with your children — especially if you’re skilled in fast-growing industries like information technology, finance, writing, human resources, or data entry. If you’re unsure how to dive in, Side Hustle Elevator shares some great tips on kickstarting a freelance career and enjoying the many wonderful benefits of self-employment. 

Side Gigs with Flexible Work Schedules

In addition to freelancing, Work-from-Home Depot notes flexible side gigs like dropshipping, pet sitting, online tutoring, and website testing are perfect for stay-at-home parents looking for flexibility in their work day. By working as a dropshipper, for instance, you can open an online shop and earn a commission on items sold — all without storing physical products and supplies in your home. Plus, dropshipping can be a great starting point if you’d like to launch an ecommerce business in the future.

If you’re looking for a work-from-home job opportunity that allows you to work early in the morning or late at night, you might also consider teaching English as a second or foreign language (ESL or EFL). However, you may need to brush up on your own language skills before teaching English online — and other types of tutoring jobs may be better fit for you if you’re skilled in subjects like computer science, biology, or calculus. 

How to Excel at Remote Work

To excel as a remote worker and stay-at-home parent, you’ll need to ensure that you have everything you need to get your work done each day — whether it’s a fast and reliable internet connection, comfortable home office space, and a desktop computer or laptop. For instance, a stable internet connection will be essential if your job requires you to work online, use video conferencing tools, and download large files on a regular basis. 

5G Ultra Wideband is one excellent option to consider if you’re looking for ultra-fast internet speeds and live within a qualifying service area, but other possible providers may include Xfinity, AT&T, CenturyLink, or Frontier. 

In addition to upgrading your internet service when working from home, you’ll need to create a private office space that separates you from the rest of your household. While it may seem more practical to work at your kitchen table or living room couch when you’re looking after your children all day, a designated office space will boost productivity, keep your home organized, and reduce distractions.

A Final Word

Working with kids at home isn’t always easy, but sometimes it’s necessary in order to pay the bills, keep your career going, and prevent your skills from getting rusty after years of not using them. And since the jobs we’ve highlighted above can provide you with the flexibility you need to care for your children during the day and getting your work done in the evening or over the weekend, you’ll be sure to find an opportunity that fits for you and the rest of your family.