Parenting is a full-time job, albeit not a profitable one. If you’re looking for a way to make extra cash as a stay-at-home mom or dad, consider starting a side hustle.

A side hustle is a way to make extra money outside of your primary job of parenting. It’s a way to earn some extra income and also often to pursue a passion, test a business idea, or gain experience in a different field.

For stay-at-home parents, work-from-home jobs can be especially beneficial because they often come with more flexibility than a traditional role. This flexibility allows parents to be present with their kids while also making an income for the family.

In this guide, we share 30 of the best side hustles for stay-at-home moms and dads, plus some extra guidance on balancing it all.

Side hustles for stay-at-home moms and dads that fit your schedule

Parents have limited time. So we’re not about to tell you how to make money by adopting a side hustle that will require more time than a full-time job.

You don’t have to spend your life savings on business investments just to get this side hustle up and running. We want to suggest realistic jobs for stay-at-home moms and dads.

These are well-paid jobs you can do from your own home or neighborhood and make money online, even as a beginner. They mostly require resources you probably already have, like a good internet connection, a computer, and some other basic supplies, depending on your line of work.

So, let’s jump in. Here are 30 lucrative side hustle ideas to inspire you. We hope you find something that resonates with you!

1. Online tutoring or teaching

Are you a master at explaining math without causing a meltdown? Can you help college hopefuls ace their SATs? Consider online tutoring or teaching! Guide young minds through the mysteries of algebra or teach them to write essays that won't put anyone to sleep.

As a stay-at-home parent, the flexibility of tutoring is golden. You don’t have to work full-time, meaning you can choose hours that suit your (and your kids’) schedules best.

Expected income: Expect to earn between $15 and $100 per hour—depending on your area of expertise.

Online tutoring jobs on Upwork

2. Freelance writing or blogging

Got a flair for words? Unleash your creativity through freelance writing or blogging. You can write about your parenting journey or craft compelling copy for businesses—and anything in between.

The beauty of being a freelance writer or blogger is that you can set your own schedule—perfect for those unpredictable baby emergencies. Whether you're a seasoned wordsmith or just have a knack for storytelling, you can find a variety of copywriting side hustles online.

Expected income: As a start, you can earn from $20 to $30 per hour. Your earnings can increase as you gain more experience.

Freelance writing jobs on Upwork

3. Crafting and handmade goods selling

From art to jewelry to ceramics—you could turn your crafting skills into a cash cow. You can sell your creations on platforms like Etsy or Facebook Marketplace, at local markets, or even set up your own e-commerce store. As a stay-at-home parent, your crafting hobby has the potential to turn into a lucrative side hustle.

Expected income: How much you make will depend on what you sell and how successful your handmade business becomes.

Jewelry-making jobs on Upwork

4. Virtual assistant services

As the family's multitasking maestro, becoming a virtual assistant is often a natural fit for stay-at-home moms and dads. Juggle tasks like email management or scheduling for businesses while keeping your little ones in check at home.

Other virtual assistant tasks you may be asked to do include data entry, email marketing, social media management, event planning, managing meetings, and more.

A human and AI-powered work marketplace like Upwork can connect you with businesses seeking your superhero organizational skills. A virtual assistant side hustle isn’t just a job; it's a chance to flaunt your cape!

Expected income: Given the different types of VA services available, your earnings will depend on the scale and complexity of the tasks you undertake.

Virtual assistant jobs on Upwork

5. Affiliate marketing

Have you ever recommended a product and thought, "I should get a commission for this"? Well, in the world of affiliate marketing, you can! Share your favorite finds on your blog or social media and earn a little extra for every sale. It's like being a digital matchmaker, and the bonus is a paycheck.

Expected income: Affiliate marketing income largely depends on the products you promote, the commission rate, and the number of products you sell. However, you can expect to make anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand per month.

Affiliate marketing jobs on Upwork

6. Online resale or dropshipping

Got baby stuff that you no longer use piling up in your garage? Turn the clutter into cash! Sell gently used items on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or other online marketplaces. Thrift stores can also be gold mines for finding resale treasures. If you have an eye for it, purchasing things from thrift stores and reselling them online can be very lucrative.

If selling is your jam, you can also consider drop shipping. Dropshipping is a popular way to run an online retail business where you accept orders without having any of the stock on hand yourself. When you receive an order, the company that maintains the stock will ship the product directly to your customer.

Similarly, a drop-servicing side hustle for stay-at-home moms involves selling digital services to clients. It works well for busy stay-at-home parents because you don’t actually do the creative work yourself. Instead, you delegate the work to freelancers, agencies, or other independent professionals and manage the end delivery to the client.

Expected income: Earnings for an online resale business or dropshipping vary widely depending on what you’re selling and your pricing strategy, as well as your marketing and SEO efforts.

Dropshipping jobs on Upwork

7. Graphic design services

If Photoshop is your playground, turn your graphic design skills into a thriving side hustle from home. Create eye-catching visuals for businesses, such as logos, or spice up social media posts. If you’re more technically inclined, you could even choose web design as a side hustle.

Upwork’s work marketplace can be your gateway to designer glory, offering graphic designer projects that match your creative prowess.

Expected income: Depending on the complexity of your designs, you can generally expect to earn between $25 and $50 per hour.

Graphic design jobs on Upwork

8. Coaching or consulting in a niche area

Share your wisdom! If you're a parenting pro, fitness fanatic, DIY guru, or an expert on any topic, you could start a coaching or consulting business. Some of your options include lifestyle, fitness, parenting, or career coaching. Work marketplaces can connect you with those hungry for your expertise.

Expected income: Coaching and consulting are some of the most lucrative side hustles for moms and dads, and you can make a great income depending on the demand and number of clients you’re able to take on.

Coaching jobs on Upwork

9. Creating and selling online courses

Turn your expertise into a digital course. Whether you're a master chef or a coding connoisseur, online learning platforms can be a stage for your knowledge and are one of the best ways to earn passive income. Simply create a course once and sell it to as many people as you can for as long as you can.

Expected income: Successful creators can earn a steady income stream while playing professor in their PJs. You can sell your courses for as little as $10 or for hundreds of dollars per student.

Online course creation jobs on Upwork

10. Transcription or data entry services

Turn your impeccable typing skills into gold by offering transcription or data entry services online. It's a quiet, stay-at-home gig perfect for hustling during naptime.

As a transcriptionist, you’re expected to listen to audio, such as interviews, notes, and messages, and transcribe them into written documents. Transcription skills include good grammar, spelling, and punctuation with a proficient word-per-minute typing speed.

Expected income: The average hourly pay for a transcriptionist is $20 per hour.

Transcription jobs on Upwork

11. E-book writing and publishing

Dive into the world of digital storytelling by becoming an e-book author. Craft compelling tales or share your knowledge on a niche subject.

As a stay-at-home parent, flex your creative writing muscles during naptime and expect a steady income from royalties once your digital products hit the virtual shelves.

Expected income: Publishing your own e-book on platforms like Amazon is one of the best jobs for stay-at-home moms and dads. A hit e-book could potentially make $1000+ a month

eBook writing jobs on Upwork

12. Podcasting on a niche topic

Have you ever been told you have a voice that is perfect for radio? Start your podcasting journey! Dive into topics you're passionate about, whether it's parenting hacks, conspiracy theories, or cat yoga. All you need is strong communication skills, a good understanding of your chosen topic, basic audio recording and editing skills, and a knack for storytelling.

With time, you can grow your listener base and become the Oprah of your living room—and make some good money while at it!

Expected income: Your podcast earnings depend on the size of your audience, sponsorship deals, and advertising rates.

Podcasting jobs on Upwork

13. Personal shopping or styling

Turn your flair for fashion into a lucrative side gig! Offer personal shopping or styling services for those desperately seeking a wardrobe makeover. As a stay-at-home style guru, curate killer looks during your kids' playdates and earn some serious style points.

Expected income: Usually, a personal shopper or stylist will earn about $25 to $125 per hour.

Be inspired by wardrobe styling professionals on Upwork

14. Voice-over work for commercials or animations

If your vocal cords have superstar potential, why not lend your voice to commercials or animations? As a stay-at-home parent, transform your spare room into a sound booth during nap hours and let your voice soar.

You'll be paid for every catchy jingle or character portrayal. You could even turn your kids’ favorite bedtime stories into a booming business!

Expected income: What you get paid as a voice-over artist will depend on the type of work, the size of the project, and your experience. You could earn anything from $35 to $5000 per project.

Voice-over jobs on Upwork

15. Social media management for small businesses

Become the social media maestro your local businesses crave. Offer your expertise as a social media manager, crafting posts and growing an online presence.

With this side hustle for stay-at-home moms and dads, you can handle a client's social media platforms, develop strategies, create content, schedule posts, and engage with followers during those precious moments of downtime. From Instagram to TikTok to YouTube channels, there’s a need for services across a variety of platforms. Expect a side income and the satisfaction of turning likes into dollars.

Expected income: On average, freelance social media managers earn between $14 and $35 per hour.

Social media management jobs on Upwork

16. Personal fitness or yoga instruction

Flex those muscles—physical and financial. As a fitness or yoga instructor, you can train clients in person or even host virtual classes. Creating personalized workout routines is also an in-demand service for clients.

Squeeze in sessions during naptime, around school hours, or invite the little ones to join the fun with parent and child exercise and yoga sessions.

Expected income: Expect a healthy side income and a more toned bank account, as you’ll be making money while breaking a sweat!

Personal trainer jobs on Upwork

17. Pet sitting or dog walking

Are you a huge fan of pets? Embrace your love for furry friends by offering pet sitting or dog walking services. Use apps like Rover to connect with pet parents in need of a sitter or dog walker.

You could even turn your backyard into a pet paradise. Expect wagging tails and a decent income without having to leave the house.

Expected income: Dog walkers and sitters can make between $15 and $30 per hour.

18. Gardening or plant consultancy

Transform your green thumb into a side hustle. Offer gardening or plant consultancy services for those plant parents struggling to keep their flora thriving.

As a horticultural hero, you could turn your backyard into a plant haven, sell your plants, and make a flourishing income—literally cultivate a side gig with roots in success.

Expected income: Varies based on your offering.

Be inspired by plant design professionals on Upwork

19. Event or party planning

Party on, planner. Use your organizational skills to become an event or party planner.

As a stay-at-home parent, you’re likely a natural planner. So why not turn those skills into a legit side hustle and coordinate celebrations for others? Part-time event planning could be your pathway to financial fiestas.

Expected income: Varies based on your offering.

Event planning jobs on Upwork

20. Photography and photo editing services

Capture moments and cash. Turn your passion for photography into a great side hustle by offering photography services to clients in your local area. Whether it’s families, pets, weddings, or lifestyle shoots—there’s always a demand for good photographers.

You can further diversify your business by adding photo editing services to your offer or even selling stock photos. With every click, envision a snapshot of extra income and capture financial opportunities.

Expected income: Freelance photo editors charge a per-image or per hour rate. You can make between $40 to $100+ per hour, depending on your experience.

Photography jobs on Upwork

21. Web or app development

Dive into the tech world as a web or app developer. Develop websites or create user-friendly apps during naptime or playdates.

If you’re a coding connoisseur, you can expect a side hustle that's as flexible as your little one's schedule. With hundreds of web and app development projects available on platforms like Upwork, you can make good money creating apps and websites for other businesses.

Expected income: What you earn depends on your level of expertise and the projects you take on. However, freelance web and app developers and designers are highly sought after and can earn upwards of $30+ per hour.

Web development jobs on Upwork

22. Travel planning and consulting

Turn your wanderlust into a wallet-friendly side hustle. Offer travel planning and consulting services for those dreaming of the perfect getaway.

If you’re a bit of a travel expert yourself, you can weave vacation magic for others from the comfort of your home office. This stay-at-home mom job has many perks, such as flexible hours, the joy of helping others plan and afford their dream getaway, and the satisfaction of earning good money.

Expected income: Travel consultants can make $50,000+ annually.

Travel planning jobs on Upwork

23. Editing and proofreading services

If you catch typos like a superhero, put those skills to work. Offer editing and proofreading services for writers in need of a grammar guardian. A proofreading side hustle involves correcting written content for grammatical, spelling, punctuation, and formatting errors. Now you can fix sentences between diaper changes and storytime!

When you become a freelance editor, expect more than just commas; foresee a tidy income. It's not just proofreading; it's polishing manuscripts and bank accounts.

Expected income: Your income will depend on the number of projects you take on and their complexity. On average, you can expect to make around $20 to $30 per hour. This rate goes up as you build your reputation and portfolio.

Proofreading jobs on Upwork

24. Virtual bookkeeping

Become the financial wizard of the digital realm by offering virtual bookkeeping services. Track revenues and expenses, process invoices, or prepare financial reports for small businesses—online or locally.

As a number cruncher, virtual bookkeeping jobs will give you a side income that's as organized as your Excel sheets.

Expected income: Virtual bookkeepers generally earn between $11 and $25 per hour.

Bookkeeping jobs on Upwork

25. Selling printables or digital designs

Monetize your creativity by selling printables or digital designs! This potential small business idea involves creating art for mediums like websites, applications, and video games.

Expected income: You can make anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per month, depending on the price of your printables and digital designs and the volume of your sales.

Digital design jobs on Upwork

26. Custom T-shirt or merchandise design

If your doodles could light up a room, turn them into wearable art. Start a custom T-shirt or merchandise design business. Design those masterpieces and list them on an e-commerce platform. When a customer makes a purchase, your print-on-demand provider prints the item and ships it directly to the customer.

Expected income: Your income is unlimited and depends on the number of sales you’re able to make.

T-shirt design jobs on Upwork

27. Resume writing and career consultancy

Transform careers while transforming your little ones’ lives at home. Offer resume writing and career consultancy services to job seekers looking for a professional touch. As a part-time career coach, you can advise on navigating career changes or provide guidance on how to scale the career ladder. You’re not just writing resumes; you’ll be crafting pathways to professional prosperity.

Expected income: As you spruce up those job applications, anticipate a career-boosting income ranging between $25 and $65 per hour.

Resume writing jobs on Upwork

28. Digital marketing consultancy

If hashtags and algorithms are your second language, become a digital marketing consultant. Offer your expertise to businesses looking to conquer the online world.

Digital marketing is one of the most realistic jobs for stay-at-home moms and dads to earn some extra cash because of its flexibility. As a stay-at-home marketing maven, strategize during naptime and optimize between playdates and school hours. With enough experience, you could have a successful digital marketing agency, turning clicks into cash.

Expected income: Freelance digital marketers have annual revenues of between $22,500 and $127,000, or about $33 per hour.

Digital marketing jobs on Upwork

29. Language translation services

If you're fluent in multiple languages, turn your linguistic know-how into a side hustle. Offer language translation services to bridge communication gaps. Quickly translate written text from one language to another (usually your native language) during quiet moments.

Expected income: Earnings vary greatly depending on your experience, qualifications, and industry. A novice language translator will earn around $0.10 per word, while a more experienced and skilled translator can charge upwards of $0.25 or even more per word.

Translation jobs on Upwork

30. Custom illustration or art commissioning

Unleash your artistic prowess by offering custom illustration or art commissioning services. Whether it's portraits or digital artwork, turn your passion into profit. Collaborate with clients to create visual content such as book covers, digital illustrations, characters for animations, or visuals for marketing campaigns.

As a stay-at-home artist, create masterpieces during those rare moments of peace and sell your digital art on your own online store or in your Etsy shop.

Expected income: Freelance illustrators earn an average of $45,505 annually, roughly equivalent to $21 per hour. You can expect to make much more with increasing experience and a solid client base.

Illustration jobs on Upwork

Side hustle benefits

Caregiving, daycare drop-offs, playing, calming down toddler tantrums, meal-planning, laundry—the list of jobs a stay-at-home parent does is seemingly endless. Unfortunately, this important work of raising children is unpaid.

Therefore, a flexible side hustle that allows parents to work from home comes with some great benefits:

• With the rising cost of living, many parents are looking for a way to add extra income to the household without sacrificing time with the kids. A side hustle is a great way to do this.
• For parents hoping to return to paid work outside the home eventually, side jobs are also an opportunity to maintain credentials, keep your skills sharp, or gain experience in a new career. Sometimes, it's a short-term solution; other times, it's just the beginning of a new career or business.
• For many parents, being able to work from home allows them a creative outlet that takes their minds off the kids.
• Online side hustles allow parents the flexibility to work on their own schedules and in their spare time.
• A side job can create a sense of purpose that goes beyond motherhood or parenthood alone.

Tips to balance parenthood and side hustles

Growing and maintaining a side hustle requires time, dedication, and work. We’re excited for you! We just want to share some quick tips to help you maximize your work productivity without sacrificing valuable time with the kids.

Set clear boundaries

Getting work done without letting work take over your family life is all about having clear boundaries around work and family time. Set expectations with your family around your work hours. Similarly, don’t work when you’re supposed to be spending time with the kids. Keeping the two separate will help you get work done without feeling like you’re burning out because you’re always “on.”

Leverage nap times and school hours

For parents of babies and younger children, planning to do your most important work during their nap times may be helpful. If your child is at school, use the school hours to get your most important work done.

Seek childcare support

If things are getting overwhelming and you're not getting much work done with the kids at home, you could consider organizing help. This could mean sending your kids to daycare or hiring a babysitter to help watch the kids during the day. If the option is available to you, this could also mean asking a family member like a grandparent to watch the kids (even if it's a few days a week) so you can get work done.

Plan and stay organized

When you have a lot on your plate, planning and organization is the key to success. Planning your days or weeks ahead helps you visualize your parenting and side hustle workload. Make the most of tools like your calendar, notes, or even task management software to help you stay organized.

Do what works for you

The most important tip of all? Find a routine that works for you and your family. You don’t have to fit yourself into anyone else’s productivity mold. You know your family best, so figure out a working-from-home rhythm that suits your lifestyle best and put it to work for you.

Use Upwork as your side hustle hub

Transform your free time into a way to make money. Starting a side hustle doesn't have to be hard. It's all about figuring out what you're good at, what you enjoy, and how much time you have. You might be good at a language, or maybe you're a whiz at graphic design. Maybe you love writing or programming. Whatever it is, your skill set and interests can guide you to the perfect side hustle for you. Maybe your side hustle can turn into an online business.

Upwork is the world’s work marketplace, where stay-at-home parents can find a variety of side jobs. You can use the search engine to look for part-time jobs or freelance projects that suit your needs. Or, if you prefer, there are plenty of full-time jobs on offer as well.

Sign up for a freelancer account on Upwork and kick off your search for a side hustle today.

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Upwork is not affiliated with and does not sponsor or endorse any of the tools or services discussed in this article. These tools and services are provided only as potential options, and each reader and company should take the time needed to adequately analyze and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation. 

Rates and fees are current at the time of writing and may change over time based on each service’s offerings.