15 Legit Ways to Make Money from Home as a Busy Parent

earngrowgo
Jun 8
5 min read

Updated: Jun 13

Let’s be real: parenting is a full-time job. And, a very underpaid job at that. But what if you could earn real income during nap time, school hours, or even after bedtime — without commuting, paying for childcare, or burning out?

Good news: You can.

Whether you're looking to pay off debt, save for a vacation, or create more breathing room in your budget, here are 15 flexible, family-friendly ways to make money from home — no scams, no MLMs, and no guilt.

1. Freelance Writing

If you love writing and know how to Google, you can freelance. Websites, blogs, and brands need content — and many pay $50–$300+ per article. This is something you can do on your own schedule, on your own time. Perhaps during nap time?

📌 Great for: Strong writers, night owls, word nerds

🛠️ Tools to try: Upwork, Fiverr, Contena, Google Docs or pitching directly to blogs💡 Tip: Specialize in something specific: parenting, health, finance, etc. for better pay

2. Sell on Etsy (Even Digital Products!)

Create printables, planners, or even kids’ chore charts you can sell over and over— digital Etsy shops are exploding. Create once, sell forever. Once you get everything created and set up this can be truly passive income! Plus… you can use your own printables in your house too!

🔹 Try: Printables, templates, digital art

🛠️ Tools to try: Canva, EverBee (for keyword research), Marmalead

💡 Start with: Kids' chore charts, budget trackers, or holiday templates.

3. Virtual Assistant (VA)

VAs help business owners with tasks like email, scheduling, social media, or customer support. Flexible and in-demand! Most of these you need to apply to, so if you want something you can start today this might not be for you. However, the earning potential is good!

🛠️ Tools to try: Belay, Boldly,job boards or pitch to small business owners

💡 Tip: Start at $20–30/hr with room to grow

4. Social Media Management

If you’re already on Instagram or Pinterest (ahem...), turn those skills into income. Help small brands manage posts, engagement, and content calendars. Perfect for parents already on social media!

🛠️ Try: Canva + scheduling tools like Planoly, Buffer or Later

💡 Tip: Offer a "Pinterest Package" for bloggers

🎓 5. Teach Online (Even Without a Degree)

You can tutor kids, teach English, or offer parent-to-parent coaching on skills you already have — from baking to budgeting.

🛠️ Try: Outschool, Preply, or Teachable💡

Tip: Create your own mini course on Skillshare or Gumroad

📌 What to teach: Reading help, beginner budgeting, art, piano, or even Pokemon math.

6. Flip Items on Facebook Marketplace

Resell items you find cheap (or already own!) fix them up (if needed), and resell for a quick profit. Think kids’ toys, furniture, small appliances..

📌 Great for: clearance and thrift shoppers, anyone with (gently used) clutter they need to get rid of

🛠️ Try: Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist

💡 Tip: Teach kids basic reselling to get them involved

7. Sell Stock Photos

Take decent pictures with your phone? Upload them to stock sites and earn passive income over time. Think lifestyle photos — family meals, crafts, even messes.

📌 Great for: shutterbugs who have a creative eye

🛠️ Try: Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, Pexels

💡 Tip: Focus on family, parenting, lifestyle themes. Family content performs well on stock platforms!

8. Start a Blog

Blog about your family life, money journey, or creative hobbies. Yes, blogging can make money — through ads, affiliates, sponsored posts, and digital products. It takes time to build an audience, but it’s 100% family-friendly.

📌 Best for long-term growth and passive income

🛠️ Tools: Wix Blog + Pinterest = traffic magic

💡 Tip: Learn SEO early to grow traffic faster

9. Offer Local Services

Laundry folding, babysitting, dog walking, meal prep, or home organizing for neighbors.— if it’s something other parents need, you can earn from it without leaving home.

🛠️ Try: Local Facebook groups, Nextdoor, flyers

💡 Tip: Offer subscription-style packages for steady income, or try bundling multiple services!

10. Become an Amazon Reseller

Buy low, sell high. Some parents make thousands flipping clearance items or sourcing via retail arbitrage. This will take some time as there is a learning curve but once you get the eye for the right items and once you build trust with customers (via other customer reviews) it can be a very high income side hustle!

🛠️ Try: Amazon Seller app, Scoutify, Keepa, Facebook groups for beginner resellers💡 Tip: Use apps like Scoutify or Keepa to check profit margins and focus on toys, seasonal items, or trending kids’ stuff

11. Publish Low-Content Books

Write a children’s book, journal, planner, or workbook — and publish it digitally or in print, right from home. Make sure you market your work somewhere like your social media pages or on Pinterest so that more people are aware of your product and purchase it!

🛠️ Design with Canva, upload via Amazon KDP

💡 Tip: Focus on low-content books like gratitude journals or coloring books- they’re less work to make and in high demand

12. Start a Podcast (And Monetize It)

Talk about what you’re passionate about — parenting, budgeting, homeschooling, travel etc. Monetize through sponsors, affiliates, or your own products.

🔹 Try: Anchor (free podcast hosting), Canva for cover art

💡Tip: Repurpose podcast clips into pins or Reels

13. Affiliate Marketing

Promote products you already use and love — like budgeting apps, kids’ gear, or travel hacks — and earn a commission when someone buys.

📌 Check out our “Getting Started Guide”!

🛠️ Try: Amazon Associates, ShareASale, Impact

💡 Tip: Use blog posts, Pinterest pins, or email newsletters

14. Do a Ride Share Service

For parents who want to get out of the house for a while! All you need is a car and valid drivers license! (And some kid-free time)

📌 Great for right after dropping kids off at school while you’re already out and about driving

🔹 Try: Doordash, Uber Eats, Uber

💡 Tip: Check for “busy times” in your area! Some apps offer extra pay during those times.

15. Transcription Jobs

Get paid to type what you hear. All you need is headphones and quiet time. No experience needed to start, and flexible hours -work whenever and as much as you want!

🛠️ Try: Rev, TranscribeMe, GoTranscript

💡 Tip: Perfect for quiet nap time hustle

📌 Most sites do require you pass an entrance “exam” before you get any work

Final Thoughts:

You don’t need a 10-hour day or a business degree to earn real money from home. Even a few hundred extra dollars a month can mean: