9 Careers That are Perfect for Working Moms

After becoming a mother, it’s safe to say that you’re officially qualified to take on anything that life throws your way. With today’s economy, the high cost of raising a child and how driven mothers are in the modern workplace, it’s no surprise that the vast majority of women with children under 18 are employed.

But when it comes to working as a mother, it’s important to have a job that’s flexible enough that you don’t have to constantly scramble for a babysitter or be away from your kids for too long. In fact, studies show that flexibility is a key consideration for job-seeking mothers.

According to an interview with recruitment company CEO Phillipa Geard, additional characteristics of a mother-friendly career include a supportive manager, short commute times and a low-pressure job with facilities that make the transition period more comfortable.

With these key aspects in mind, we’ve put together an extensive list of careers that are perfect for working moms.

Hairdresser

There will always be a need for professionals in the beauty industry, especially hairdressers and stylists. While the average base pay for a hairdresser is comparatively lower than some other careers on this list, you can consider specializing in formal events such as weddings, where the pay is much higher.

Either way, hairdressers usually have the benefit of being able to set their own schedule and work from home. You’re also able to take time off as needed. Being a hairdresser is especially suitable for mothers who enjoy socializing and having casual conversation, as well as it being a more relaxing, stress-free environment.

Real Estate Agent

Being a real estate agent is an ideal line of work if you have a partner with a normal nine-to-five, as most of your work will happen during evenings or on weekends. Despite being highly flexible, real estate agents can still make decent money, with the average salary being $53,885 per year according to Glassdoor. However, remember that you have to undergo appropriate real estate pre-license training and then apply for your license to be considered a qualified real estate agent.

Midwife Nurse

As a mother who has experienced the challenges that come with raising a child, there’s no better way to apply what you’ve learned than to become a midwife nurse. In this line of work, you’ll be taking care of mothers during their pregnancy and postpartum, in addition to providing follow up care for the mother and her child.

Due to the varied nature of the job, you can expect to be able to take days off, as well as being able to occasionally travel if you wish to do so. This is especially suitable if you already have experience or education in nursing, as you could then undertake an online CNM nurse program, which is a flexible and affordable option to studying at a university.

Waitress or Bartender

Many mothers turn to part-time or weekend work at restaurants or bars, as hours are flexible and there’s good money to be made in tips. Depending on the environment, it’s worth noting that being a waitress or bartender can be more stressful than other jobs on this list. But if you enjoy a challenge, the service industry is the way to go.

Virtual Assistant

If you prefer the idea of exclusively working from home, then becoming a virtual assistant is a great way to go. Since all work is performed from the comfort of your own desk, you’ll be able to take care of your children around the clock. Typical tasks include compiling emails, making phone calls, organizing spreadsheets and other admin-related tasks.

If you’re proficient in other services such as graphic design, social media management, online marketing or web design, your opportunities to earn more money are even greater. You can find virtual assistant gigs on websites such as Fiverr, Upwork, PeoplePerHour and Amazon Mechanical TURK.

Yoga or Pilates Instructor

Many Yoga and Pilates instructors are self-employed and work from home, which of course offers the most – excuse the pun – flexibility you can get out of a job. If your only option is to become an instructor at a local gym or studio, it’s usually possible to swap classes with other instructors so that you can tend to your commitments.

This is a great job for mothers who enjoy being social and is usually performed in a quiet, calm environment. According to Monster, Yoga and Pilates instructors are paid an average of $53,600 per year. Of course, if you become self-employed, this figure can be much higher.

Elementary School Teacher

This is another job that is better suited towards mothers who prefer a challenging work environment. But it’s worth mentioning, as although your hours are longer, you’ll usually have the same days off as your children. This leaves you with much more time to be at home and tend to obligations.

Blogger

If you have a way with words and an interest in sharing your thoughts with like-minded people, blogging might be right up your alley. Technically, there’s no base pay or salary starting off, so it’s up to you to make that happen. Bloggers usually make money through product sponsorships, advertising revenue and affiliate commissions. 

One of the great parts about blogging is that you can work as little or as much as you want and in any location. This makes it extremely flexible. That said, there are a few things that you’ll need to wrap your head around in order to run a successful blog, but nothing particularly challenging. 

Nutritionist

With our ever-increasing concern for health and wellness, services of professionals such as nutritionists are in high demand, resulting in great job security and many employment opportunities, in addition to high salaries. Nutritionists generally enjoy an interesting and rewarding work environment, as well as great work-life balance.

Conclusion

As a mother, you still have many options when it comes to employment. If none of these feel suitable, consider the many ways that you can start your own business, thus having maximum flexibility. The internet would be a great place to start, as there are many opportunities to make money from home.

It’s simply up to you to use your drive, determination, passion and creativity to make something great happen. We know you can do it!