Work for Stay-at-home-moms?

Updated on December 07, 2011
T.G. asks from La Conner, WA
15 answers

So we just had our fourth child three months ago. The older two are in school all day but I have the three month old and the two year old and I love being home with them. We decided I wouldn't work until they are all in school partially because it's better for them but also partially because if I did work, most or all of the money would probably be going to pay for childcare anyway. Having said all this I still would like to help out with money so it's not all on my husband's shoulders. Does anyone know of any jobs from home I could do? I've thought about trying to get a job at a daycare, but don't know if they would charge me full price to have my kids there or not? Any ideas would be great.

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B.C.

answers from Dallas on

You could babysit or take in a child full time. Just watching one child full time could bring in at least $400-$500 a month.

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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

I WAH part time and my sister telecommutes.

In her situation, she worked it out to extend the time she had to keep her son out of daycare (his slot isn't ready) but she works long days. 10 hours on the clock! Her son is newborn, so she can wear him, but a moving toddler can't be held all day.

In mine, I work very PT. I found my job through HireMyMom.com. Other people have gotten jobs through odesk.com and biztant.com.

I agree that it's hard. Right now I'm taking a break and starting to think about lunch. My DD is 3. She can't watch TV all day, and later my SD will need a pick up from school, etc. I am fortunate to have an online only job that is a steady gig and allows me to stop and start. If I had to be on a headset, it would NOT work. I was a tech writer in my last job, so I do tech writing gigs now and then, too, but that might mean I'm working at 12AM when everyone else is in bed. I've talked to other WAHMs and it's pretty standard to work weird hours, especially if the kid is not in school during part of the day.

So, start with hiremymom.com, IMO, and go from there. The membership is a business expense.

5 moms found this helpful
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E.T.

answers from Albuquerque on

Please do a search on this topic. It's asked every few days. A quick summary, however, is: jobs require that you WORK, not care for your kids. So unless you have someone else watching them, you can't really "work" from home. You could, of course, take in other children to watch. Or sell Avon or another product in your spare time...

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H.M.

answers from Denver on

I just wanted to add that you will have to have some sort of childcare arrangement if you work from home. I've been working from home for the same company for going on 5 years - my son was 3 when I started - and he went to half day daycare then napped here - once my daughter was born I kept her at home with me for 6 months - then had a mother's helper come two or three times a week - and finally put her in half time daycare as well.

Work is work - just because you are at home doesn't mean someone is going to pay you to hang out with your kids all day.

That said - good luck.

4 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

This question is asked almost daily.

ALL the MLM's, direct sales and recruiters for those companies will be hitting you up to sign on with them and sell, invest, recruit, have parties and make so much money... BLAH

I second everything Cheryl O said. Work from home is a job and you can't have your little ones beside you while you are working from home. It takes a lot of self discipline.

If all moms could "work" from home while being mom, and make money.... you'd see a lot less moms in the workforce.

Work is Work. Beware of all the scammers.

Sell your old stuff, babysit, etc. Good luck

2 moms found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

T.:

CONGRATULATIONS on your newest addition!!!

I am a SAHM and a WFHM - please please please understand that when you are "working" at home - you are WORKING - so many people lose sight of that when they "work from home"...

This is going to sound harsh - but here goes. Yes. there are jobs out there. I don't know your skill set. However, if someone is going to pay you to work - not to pay you to stay home with your kids and work. My job as a recruiter? I get paid by the placement - not by hour or salary. I have been paid a salary plus commission in the past. It's nice. However, when I am talking to candidates? They don't want to hear a kid screaming in the background or a kid asking mommy for some juice.

There are companies that are looking for customer service reps to handle phone calls - again - they expect a dedicated phone line, computer and while working from home - a professional atmosphere....

If you work for a place like Kindercare - you have discounted rates...now keep in mind working for a day care would mean that they EXPECT you to be there when your kids are sick....they have ratios that MUST be kept.

So the best thing that you can do? Go around your home - start going through things that you aren't using, kids have outgrown - take pictures of them and start listing things on ebay and craigslist that you are not using anymore. Kids clothes and toys sell all the time.

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L.S.

answers from Omaha on

My advice is to beware of scams. So many moms want to have both (trust me, I looked into it too), and scammers definitely feed off that! Also, most work-from-home jobs don't allow you the time you need to be with your children, but if it's a flexible one you could probably do the hours in the evening when your husband is home to look after the kiddos. I was fortunate enough to find a part-time job in my field so I can have the best of both - home in the afternoon and work/adult interaction in the mornings. Perhaps you might be able to make that option work. I hope you can work something out, but again, just beware of scams or anything that will end up being more work than expected (or for the pay). As far as specific ideas, I can't provide anything except the direct sell companies like another person suggested: Avon, Pampered Chef, Tupperware, Scentsy, etc. Those can be fun, and if you spend the time on the business, they can also be quite rewarding. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

A.S.

answers from Iowa City on

Are you crafty? If so, you could try to sell things online. You can't really do a sit down at a desk type of job from home with a two year old and a three month old in the house demanding your attention at any given moment.

1 mom found this helpful

✿.R.

answers from Boston on

Look into internet franchising. It's amazing. Let me know if you would like to pick my brain.

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Great answers all around. Even if you were able to find a job working from home you would still need to pay someone to watch your little ones while you work.
Rather than working in a daycare why not babysit one or two children in your home full or part time? Another option is to work outside the home a few nights a week, and/or on weekends. That way hubby's home to watch the kids and there are no daycare costs. I've had friends do this, working at Target and Starbucks :)

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H.G.

answers from Portland on

Find all the day cares you can call & ask, that is the only way to find out.

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D.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

If you are half way decent with a camera, you could try being an Ebay trading assistant.

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K.J.

answers from Seattle on

Beware of all the scams out there for working at home.....I researched it about 5 yrs ago!!!! The only legitimate ones are ones like Avon, Pampered Chef, Mary Kay...etc....
I would also be careful not to just watch someone else's kids in your own home. It is illegal and many people are not aware of the law. I would suggest becoming a Licensed Childcare Provider!!! You can have your own REAL HOME business...pay your taxes and get SS later on down the road!!! You get to have your kids with you while taking care of others!!!
This is what I did 4 yrs ago!!! :)
Good luck!

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J.C.

answers from Medford on

I agree that the best approach is to take in another kid or two. There are moms who would much rather take their kids to another mom than to a busy daycare center (and will pay more!) If your home isn't set up to handle it, or is not in a convenient location, you could also consider going to the client's home with your kids. I earned $10 an hour for watching a little girl part time and it was very little change from our usual routine! Good luck!

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