Finding a way to bring in an additional income when you have young kids at home is tricky. Most people think that working from home is the answer but the reality is most remote jobs require childcare if your kids are young. Fortunately, there are some great job options out there that do not require daycare. Here are some of our favorites work at home jobs that don’t require daycare.
For most moms with young kids, working at home seems like the dream. You can earn an income from home while still taking care of your kids and avoiding the additional cost of daycare. The reality is though, most remote jobs are going to require childcare, especially if you are working as an employee. It’s tricky to be successful if you are juggling the needs of young kids and splitting your focus and employers who are paying an hourly rate will expect your undivided attention.
Don’t be discouraged though. There are some great job options for parents with young kids at home. You’ll just need to be selective in the type of work that you do. We put together our favorite work at home jobs that don’t require daycare. Hopefully you find something on this list that would be a great fit for you.
Best Work at Home Jobs that Don’t Require Daycare
When choosing a remote job, you’ll want to eliminate any that require you to be an hourly employee or spend much time on the phone if you have young kids at home. Beyond that, you can get a bit creative and look for a remote job that fits your family’s needs. These are some of our favorites.
Run a Home Daycare
When I first quit my teaching job to stay home with my son I opted to open a home daycare. It eliminated the need for me to pay daycare expenses of my own and opened up my days to spend quality time with my son. I was able to devote my entire day to him and he loved having extra friends around to play with. It was a great fit for the stage in life we were at and between parent tuition fees and grants I was able to get through the state it more than made up for my teaching income.
Work as a Freelance Writer
If you like to write, working as a freelance writer can be a great option for a flexible remote job. You can typically write whenever you have time available provided you hit the deadlines that you have.
–Learn how to get started as a freelance writer here.
Petsit From Home
If you are an animal lover, pet sitting may be the ideal job for you and many pet owners love having young kids play with their dogs while they are away. Rover.com connects you with pet owners looking for local pet sitters and you set your own availability and rates. Learn how to get started as a petsitter here.
Work as a Virtual Assistant
If you have some basic technical skills or are willing to learn, working as a virtual assistant can be a great option. The hours are generally flexible so you can work around your kids’ schedules or during nap time.
Do Transcription from home
Transcription is something that can offer a steady income. It is not generally a high-paying job but it can be a great option if you want to set your own hours and are just looking for some extra income to supplement your budget.
Start an MLM Business
This is not usually my first recommendation because a multi-level marketing business (MLM) comes with a lot of risk. It can be a good way to earn an income from home and keep a flexible schedule if you find the right company and be sure to avoid investing more than you can afford to lose. I’ve known quite a few people who have financially done very well with an MLM but they are definitely the exception to the rule. If you do decide to explore MLM sales as an option, go here to find out what to avoid doing first.
Start an Etsy Store
If you have a unique skill, an Etsy store may be a great way to go. Think beyond crafts (although that is certainly an option too). Graphic designers, plant enthusiasts, 3D printers and more have found great success on Etsy.
Start a Blog
Blogging is a great choice if you need a remote job that will give you a lot of flexibility. The downside is, there is no guarantee of income and it does take a while to build up a large enough audience that you can monetize it. Blogging has been my primary source of income for over ten years now and it has been a fantastic fit for my family. I’ve been able to stay at home and include my kids in my work. Learn how to start a blog here.
Create low-content books for Amazon KDP
If you have some basic graphic design skills making low-content books on Amazon KDP can be a great option to create an income on the side. You can use KDP to write full ebooks or you can create low-content ebooks such as journals, meal trackers, and more. This allows you to do the work once and continue earning an income as long as your ebooks are selling.
Rent space in your home
If you need to earn an income but simply can’t commit to devoting much time to a side-gig, consider using your home to make some extra money. You can do anything from renting a room in your home to renting storage space in a closet. Find out how you can earn money by using your home here.
There are some great jobs out there that will allow you to work from home without paying for daycare. You just have to be a bit creative in your job search.