October 18

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Best Ways to Make Money Online for Stay-at-Home Parents

By seelyclark

October 18, 2024


Being a stay-at-home parent is a full-time job. Between the endless laundry, school runs, and trying to find five minutes of quiet, the idea of earning an income can feel out of reach.

However, thanks to the internet, making money online has become more accessible than ever before. Whether you’re looking to supplement your family’s income or build a side hustle that could grow into something bigger, there are plenty of ways to earn from the comfort of your own home.

In this post, we’ll explore the best ways for stay-at-home parents to make money online, address some of the challenges you might face, and highlight the rewards of diving into this world.

Plus, we’ll provide 20 unique resources, real-life examples, and even proof of income to inspire you to get started.

The Challenges of Making Money Online as a Stay-at-Home Parent

Before diving into the opportunities, it’s essential to acknowledge some of the challenges stay-at-home parents face when trying to make money online:

  • Time Constraints: Between feeding, changing, and playing with your kids, finding blocks of time to work can be tough.
  • Lack of Focused Time: It’s hard to focus on tasks when your kids need constant attention.
  • Balancing Responsibilities: Household chores, errands, and childcare can compete for your time and energy, leaving you drained.

But, despite these challenges, there are tangible benefits that come with finding the right online opportunity.

The Benefits of Making Money Online as a Stay-at-Home Parent

  • Flexibility: You set your own schedule. If your baby only naps for two hours a day, that can still be enough time to work.
  • Zero Commute: There’s no need to worry about leaving the house.
  • Scalability: Many online opportunities allow you to start small and grow at your own pace.
  • Empowerment: Earning money on your own terms can be incredibly empowering, giving you more financial freedom.

Now, let’s jump into the best ways to make money online as a stay-at-home parent, with unique resources, examples, and proof of income.

 

1. Freelance Writing

Zulie Rane’s Full-Time Freelance Income Report: This report breaks down her earnings across seven streams of income, including her blog, YouTube, and client work. In November alone, she earned $6,374.50, with rates as high as $276 per hour for some of her freelance work.

Resource: Sites like ProBlogger or Upwork have tons of writing gigs:

Proof of Income: Freelance writers can make anywhere from $50 to $500 per article, depending on the niche and expertise level. Holly Johnson reportedly earns up to $200 per article.

2. Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants (VAs) help business owners with tasks like email management, scheduling, and customer service.

Example: Gina Horkey, another stay-at-home mom, started as a VA and now teaches others how to earn from it. Her income surpassed $100,000 within a year. Read more here: https://horkeyhandbook.com/how-to-become-a-va/

Resource: Find jobs on sites like:

Proof of Income: Many VAs earn between $15-$50 per hour, with top VAs earning over $100,000 per year.

3. Online Tutoring

If you have expertise in a subject, tutoring students online can be an easy way to make extra cash.

Example: VipKid is one of the leading platforms where you can teach English to kids in China. Read stories of tutors earning over $2000/month here: https://www.vipkid.com/

Resource: For other platforms, try:

Proof of Income: Many tutors on platforms like VipKid earn $14-$22 per hour, with monthly earnings easily exceeding $2000.

4. Selling Digital Products

From printables to eBooks, selling digital products online offers the potential for passive income.

Example: Sarah Titus, a stay-at-home mom, made over $300,000 selling printables through her Shopify store. Check out her story here: https://www.sarahtitus.com

Resource: Set up a store on:

Proof of Income: Depending on the product, you can make hundreds or even thousands per month selling digital products.

5. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing involves promoting other companies’ products and earning a commission when a sale is made through your link.

Example: Michelle Schroeder-Gardner, a stay-at-home parent, makes over $50,000 a month through affiliate marketing. Read her full story here: https://makingsenseofcents.com

Resource: Join affiliate programs on sites like:

Proof of Income: With enough traffic, affiliate marketers can earn anywhere from $500 to $50,000+ per month.

6. Transcription Jobs

If you can type quickly, transcription can be a great way to make money from home.

Example: TranscribeMe offers transcription jobs where many moms have earned over $1000 per month. Check out the details here: https://www.transcribeme.com

Resource: Other transcription platforms:

Proof of Income: Transcriptionists can earn between $15 to $25 per hour, depending on speed and accuracy.

7. Online Surveys

While not a massive earner, surveys can provide some extra cash with minimal effort.

Example: Swagbucks offers rewards for taking surveys, and some users have earned over $500 per year. More details here: https://www.swagbucks.com

Resource: Sign up at:

Proof of Income: Regular survey takers report earning anywhere between $50 and $300 a month.

8. Freelance Graphic Design

If you have a creative eye and know how to use design tools, this can be a lucrative online gig.

Example: Sarah Turner started as a freelance graphic designer and now makes six figures annually. Check out her website here: https://www.sarahturnerdesign.com

Resource: Get started on:

Proof of Income: Freelance designers can charge $25-$150 per hour, with experienced designers making six figures a year.

9. Drop Shipping

With drop shipping, you sell products without holding inventory, making it a low-risk business for busy parents.

Example: Anton Kraly turned drop shipping into a million-dollar business. Read more about him here: https://www.dropshiplifestyle.com

Resource: Learn the ropes on:

Proof of Income: Drop shippers can make anywhere from $500 to $10,000 per month, depending on their niche and traffic.

10. YouTube Channel Creation

Example: Jessica Stansberry, a mom of two, earns over $10,000 a month from her YouTube channel. Learn more about her here: https://www.jessicastansberry.com

Resource: Start your channel on:

Proof of Income: Many content creators make anywhere from $500 to $10,000+ a month depending on their niche and engagement levels.

11. Social Media Manager

Managing social media accounts for businesses can be done from home and is great for stay-at-home parents who are already familiar with platforms like Facebook or Instagram.

Example: Abbey Ashley started managing social media accounts from home and now makes a six-figure income from her business. More on her story here: https://thevirtualsavvy.com

Resource: Find jobs and courses here:

Proof of Income: Many social media managers charge between $15 and $50 an hour, with more experienced managers earning six figures.

12. Selling Handmade Crafts

If you enjoy crafting, selling handmade items on platforms like Etsy can be both fulfilling and profitable.

Example: Alicia Shaffer, owner of Three Bird Nest, made over $80,000 a month selling handmade goods on Etsy. Learn more about her here: https://www.threebirdnest.com

Resource: Set up your shop here:

Proof of Income: Many crafters earn $500 to $10,000+ a month, depending on the products and demand.

13. Print on Demand

Print-on-demand allows you to sell custom designs on products like T-shirts, mugs, or phone cases without holding inventory.

Example: Entrepreneur Benny Hsu made $100,000 in less than 5 months using print on demand. He achieved this by creating unique designs for T-shirts and marketing them through platforms like Merch by Amazon.

Resource: Start with:

Proof of Income: Sellers can make anywhere from $500 to $50,000+ annually, depending on their designs and marketing strategies.

14. Website Testing

Website testing is simple—test out websites and apps for usability and earn money for your feedback.

Example: UserTesting is a popular platform where testers earn money reviewing websites. Learn more here: https://www.usertesting.com

Resource: Other options include:

Proof of Income: Testers typically earn between $10-$50 per test, with monthly earnings ranging from $100 to $500.

15. Blogging

Blogging can be a long-term way to make passive income if you’re passionate about a specific topic.

Example: Rosemarie Groner, a stay-at-home mom, turned her blog into a six-figure business. Read her story here: https://www.busybudgeter.com

Resource: Start your own blog using:

Proof of Income: While it may take time to build up, many bloggers earn $500 to $10,000+ per month through ads, affiliate marketing, and sponsored posts.

16. Podcasting

If you prefer speaking over writing, podcasting can be a great way to share your insights and make money.

Example: Sarah Li-Cain, a stay-at-home mom, turned her podcast into a profitable business. Learn more here: https://www.beyondthedollar.co

Resource: Get started with podcasting tools here:

Proof of Income: Successful podcasters can make anywhere from $500 to $10,000+ a month through sponsorships and affiliate marketing.

17. Ebook Publishing

If you enjoy writing, self-publishing eBooks on platforms like Amazon Kindle can provide a stream of passive income.

Example: Mark Dawson, a self-published author, earns six figures annually through his eBooks. Learn more here: https://selfpublishingformula.com

Resource: Publish your eBooks on:

Proof of Income: Successful self-published authors can earn $500 to $50,000+ annually depending on book sales.

18. Online Course Creation

If you’re knowledgeable about a subject, creating and selling online courses can be a great way to earn passive income.

Example: Ruth Soukup, a stay-at-home mom, earns over $100,000 per month selling courses. More on her success here: https://www.ruthsoukup.com

Resource: Start creating your course on:

Proof of Income: Many course creators earn anywhere from $500 to $10,000+ per month depending on their niche and marketing.

19. Influencer Marketing

If you have a strong social media following, influencer marketing can be a great way to monetize your platform by promoting products.

Example: Sara Walker, a stay-at-home mom, makes a full-time income promoting products on Instagram. Learn more here: https://www.sarawalker.com

Resource: Partner with brands on:

Proof of Income: Influencers can earn $100 to $10,000 per sponsored post, depending on their following and engagement.

20. Etsy Printables

Selling digital printables on Etsy can be a great way to earn passive income while being creative.

Example: Julie Berninger, a stay-at-home mom, earns over $1,000 per month selling printables. More on her story here: https://www.goldcityventures.com

Resource: Start your own Etsy shop here:

Proof of Income: Etsy sellers can make anywhere from $500 to $5,000+ per month, depending on demand and product quality.

21. Network Marketing

Full disclosure for this section folks…

Network Marketing is not often free.

The examples seen below are NOT free.

Now, that that is out in  the open, on we go…

Network marketing, or multi-level marketing (MLM), allows you to sell products directly to consumers while also earning commissions by building a team of other sellers. This is perfect for stay-at-home parents who want to work flexible hours and leverage their networks to build a business.

Example: Stay-at-home mom Sarah Robbins became a top earner in network marketing, now making over $1 million per year. Read more about her journey here: https://sarahrobbins.com

Resource: To get started in network marketing, check out companies like:

Proof of Income: Successful network marketers can earn between $500 and $10,000+ per month, depending on their team size and sales volume.

Final Thoughts

For stay-at-home parents, the internet offers countless opportunities to make money online. While balancing work and childcare can be challenging, the flexibility and scalability of these options make it possible to build an income on your own terms. Whether you’re looking for part-time work or a full-time online career, there’s something here for everyone.

By exploring these 20 unique resources, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect way to make money online that fits your lifestyle.

Good luck, and remember, success is possible, even during naptime!

Until we speak again, remember…

Be Yourself, Help Others, NEVER QUIT!

Seely Clark IV

seelyclark

About the author

I live in Bangor, Maine and I worked full-time as an RN at a local hospital. In 2010 I started working online Part-time after my mother was disabled by a heart attack. I wanted to build extra income to help with her health care.

What started as a way to make extra income has grown into a passion!
Over the years I have learned a great deal about marketing on the Internet.

I have learned many things that don’t work and much that DOES work.

One thing I have learned is that for me to succeed, I have to help others succeed.

So now my focus is on teaching others what I have learned works so that they can avoid the money-wasting struggles I went through and finally start making money on the Internet.

We Welcome And Appreciate Your Feedback!

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