Earn Money On the Side With These Business Ideas for Stay-At-Home Parents

earn money on the side

Image via Pexels

While most parents agree that raising a family is a full-time job on its own, few parents can comfortably afford to stay at home with their children without earning some kind of income. After all, there are bills to pay, food and clothing expenses for the whole family, and college tuition costs to save up for! Also there may be the added cost of treatment programs for your teens too!

Fortunately, earning money as a stay-at-home parent has never been easier. Remote work and freelancing are more popular than ever, and apps like TaskRabbit and DoorDash make it easy to join the gig economy as an independent contractor. Check out these tips from My Warrior Mom Life to discover a few flexible business ideas for stay-at-home moms and dads.

Try Freelance Writing, Bookkeeping, or Graphic Design

For stay-at-home parents with skills in areas such as writing, bookkeeping, or graphic design, freelancing could be a great way to earn an income and enjoy a flexible work schedule that allows them to continue caring for their children during the day.

Freelance writers create different types of written content for various publications and clients, while bookkeepers help companies track their income and expenses. Graphic designers use technology and art to create different types of visuals for the companies and clients they work with.

Freelancers can also work as:

  • Virtual assistants
  • Tutors
  • Proofreaders
  • Graphic designers
  • Bloggers
  • Software developers
  • Web designers
  • Social media managers
  • Childcare providers
  • Customer service representatives
  • Make money as an affiliate

There are a plethora of websites to find freelance work opportunities, including Designhill, Toptal, We Work Remotely, and Behance. However, it’s important to understand the differences between freelancing and working as an employee, as how you’re categorized will affect your taxes and how you’re paid for your work.

Keep in mind that if you’re freelancing as a web or graphic designer, you’ll need to find easy ways to share design ideas with clients. If you need to convert a file to make it less time-consuming to email, there are plenty of free online tools that you can use.

Become a Dropshipper

Dropshipping is another possible business idea for stay-at-home parents, especially those with an interest in pursuing entrepreneurship. This low-investment business idea is easy to start, as the costs associated with becoming a drop shipper typically include a domain name, online advertising, and product testing. But like any type of business, you’ll need to market yourself as a drop shipper in order to stand out online.

Launch a Photography Business

If you enjoy photography, you might also consider starting your own business as a freelance photographer. Some photographers specialize in staging and shooting weddings and events, while others shoot families, newborns, and maternity photos. Other types of photographers shoot products, fine art, landmarks, animals, food, and real estate.

Consider Ridesharing, Errand Running, and Food Delivery

Some other great ways to earn money as a stay-at-home parent include ridesharing, errand running, and food and grocery delivery. If you don’t mind driving, for instance, you could become a driver for rideshare companies such as Uber or Lyft. Or if you enjoy running errands, assembling furniture, doing yard work, and delivering food or groceries, you might consider becoming a Tasker for TaskRabbit. Other delivery apps to work for include DoorDash, Instacart, Shipt, and Uber Eats.

Learn How to Start Your Home-Based Business Today

Once you’ve chosen a business idea that fits your skills, interests, and busy schedule as a stay-at-home parent, your first step toward earning an income is writing a business plan. Your business plan should include a description of the company you’re starting, information about your financial needs and projections, and details about how your products or services will be sold. You’ll also need to decide how you’ll structure your new business.

After writing your business plan and choosing a business structure (also known as your legal entity), you can use an online formation service to easily set up a new company from home. Online formation services can be used to form a corporation or limited liability company (LLC), get a registered agent and a “doing business as” name, and apply for an employer identification number (EIN). Some businesses can be started as sole proprietorships — eliminating the need to use a formation service — but this type of legal entity isn’t right for everyone.

Learn How to Start Your Home-Based Business Today

Acquiring new customers is critical for any business’s sustainability. However, finding prospective clients can be challenging for many new businesses. This is where lead generation strategies come into play. Adopting solutions related to lead generation is vital for any organization that seeks to expand its customer base and generate revenue. Effective lead-generation strategies can increase a company’s visibility, establish its credibility, and ultimately stimulate growth. The importance of lead generation cannot be overstated. It is a fundamental process that lays the foundation for enduring business success.

Find the Job that Works Best for You

Making the decision to return to work isn’t an easy one when you’ve chosen to stay home with your children, but gig work, freelancing, and low-investment business ideas make it easier than ever to earn an income while continuing to care for your family. Online formation services make it as simple as possible to start a new business from home, and apps like Uber, Shipt, and Instacart allow you to join the gig economy at any time.

You may be returning to work, but there’s no need to find a standard 9-to-5 job when flexible and remote work opportunities are so readily available. You’ll earn some extra money without spending too much time away from your children, and you’ll keep your career alive at the same time.

Every family is different, but we can learn from each other. My family struggles with technology. Learn about our journey at My Warrior Mom Life!

7 Simple Steps to Get Better Sleep and Wake Up Refreshed

 

It’s a common misconception that adults don’t need much sleep, but the truth is that sleep is essential for our overall health and well-being. It helps our bodies to recharge and repair, improves our memory and cognitive performance, and reduces stress levels. In this My Warrior Mom Life blog post, we will discuss seven simple steps you can take to help you sleep better and wake up feeling refreshed.

Optimize Your Sleep Environment

Your sleep environment plays a significant role in how well you sleep. It would be best if you had a cool, dark, and quiet room to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep. Invest in light-blocking curtains, earplugs, or noise-canceling headphones if you live in a noisy area. Make sure your mattress and pillows are comfortable and supportive. Remove all electronics from your bedroom, including your phone, TV, or laptop.

Avoid Heavy Meals before Bedtime

Eating a heavy meal before bed can lead to an uncomfortable night of sleep. This is because it can cause indigestion, reflux, or heartburn, which can disrupt your rest. To avoid this, it’s best to eat your last meal at least two hours before bedtime and opt for a light snack if you feel hungry. Bananas, yogurt, or nuts are good options that won’t leave you feeling too full.

Focus on Walking More Every Day

Walking is an excellent low-impact exercise that can help you sleep better. It increases your endorphin levels, which boosts your mood and reduces stress and anxiety. Aim to walk for at least 30 minutes every day, preferably outside in a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood (areas with high walk scores usually have parks and activities nearby). You can also try walking meditation, where you focus on your breathing and your surroundings while walking slowly.

Try Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a natural way to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. Essential oils like lavender, chamomile, and valerian root are popular choices for their calming properties. They can be used in various ways such as adding a few drops to bathwater, diffusing them in the bedroom, or using them in massage oil to help you unwind and get a good night’s sleep.

Listen to Calming Music

Listening to calming music before bedtime can help you relax and fall asleep faster. Choose slow, instrumental music with a low tempo and no lyrics. Some people prefer nature sounds such as ocean waves, rain, or bird songs. You can use a smart speaker, headphones, or a white noise machine to listen to your favorite music.

Limit Caffeine Intake

Caffeine is a powerful stimulant that can interfere with your sleep and keep you awake at night. It’s important to avoid consuming coffee, tea, or soda at least four hours before bedtime. If you’re in need of an energy boost during the day, try drinking green tea instead as it contains less caffeine than coffee but still provides a natural source of energy.

Durable and Breathable Cotton Bedding 

Your bedding is a vital component in determining the quality of your sleep. Therefore, it is important to invest in new cotton bedding that is durable and breathable. Cotton, being a natural fiber, promotes air circulation, ensuring that you stay cool and comfortable throughout the night. Additionally, cotton is easy to maintain and lasts longer than synthetic materials, making it an excellent choice for your bedding.

Getting better sleep is not rocket science, but it does require some effort and discipline. By optimizing your sleep environment, walking more every day, investing in new cotton bedding that’s durable and breathable, and more, you can improve your sleep quality significantly. Remember, the key is to be consistent and patient. Give these tips a try and see how they work for you.