Let’s be real—deciding to return to work after being home with your kids is complicated. One minute you’re craving adult conversation and financial independence, the next you’re wondering if you can actually remember how to write a professional email. Whether it’s been months or years since you’ve worked, you’re not alone in feeling both excited and terrified about this next chapter.
Women return to work for many reasons. Do you fall into one of these categories below?
- Financial Necessity – Rising costs, divorce, or a change in household income often lead moms to seek work for financial stability, retirement planning, or providing for their families.
- Identity & Fulfillment – Years of caregiving can leave moms craving a sense of purpose and self-worth beyond “Mom.”
- Kids Becoming More Independent – When kids are in school or more self-sufficient, moms find time and energy to pursue career goals.
- Life Transitions – Divorce, widowhood, or becoming an empty nester often prompt a career shift.
- Long-Term Security & Independence – Moms want their own savings, benefits, and options—it’s about freedom, not just finances.
When I returned to work, it was due to a life-transition. I had been a stay at home mom for 7 years, and then I got divorced, and had to return to work to make sure I could afford my home and help provide for my children. At that time, I was not mentally ready to go back to corporate life, but I had to, and it was terrifying. I wondered how I was going to work and take care of my kids, and who would hire me with a 7 year career gap. But, I figured it out! Now, 10 years later after I returned to work, I am a leader, I have my own 401k, I get paid vacations, i have my own health insurance, and I can provide for myself and my family. It’s empowering!
When I first returned to work, working from home was not a thing. It was pre-Covid. The good news is that now, the landscape for working mothers has shifted dramatically. The number of stay-at-home moms has increased from 15% to 25% in the past year, with 52% of working moms saying child care costs have made them think about leaving the workforce; 64% need flexible schedules to be able to work. But here’s the encouraging news: remote work opportunities have exploded, creating possibilities that simply didn’t exist for our mothers’ generation.
The Top 5 Remote Jobs Perfect for Moms (With Real Numbers)
1. Virtual Assistant: The Swiss Army Knife of Remote Work
- Average Salary: $27.05/hour (Indeed)
- Time Commitment: 10–40 hours/week with flexible scheduling
- Tasks: Email management, scheduling, customer support, social media management, basic bookkeeping.
- Why it’s great: High demand across industries, no specific degree required, and you can often choose your own hours. Your organizational and multitasking skills as a mom are highly transferable.
- Find Jobs: Upwork, Belay, FlexJobs
2. Online Tutor or Teacher: Put Your Knowledge to Work
- Average Salary: $15–$50/hour (Glassdoor)
- Time Commitment: 10–30 hours/week, typically fixed scheduled slots.
- Tasks: One-on-one tutoring, group classes, curriculum development, progress tracking.
- Why it’s great: Predictable schedule aligning well with school hours, stable income potential, and fulfilling interactions.
- Find Jobs: VIPKid, Chegg Tutors, Tutor.com
3. Freelance Writer or Editor: Turn Your Way with Words into Income
- Average Salary: $20–$100/hour or $0.10–$1/word (Freelance Writing)
- Time Commitment: 5–40 hours/week with complete flexibility.
- Tasks: Blog writing, website copy, editing, social media content, email newsletters.
- Why it’s great: Ultimate flexibility—work during naptime, after bedtime, or while kids are at school. Strong growth potential as you build your portfolio and client base.
- Find Jobs: ProBlogger, Freelance Writing, Contena
4. Online Business Owner: Build Something of Your Own
- Average Salary: $500–$10,000+/month (Smart Passive Income)
- Time Commitment: 10–40+ hours/week with significant upfront investment.
- Tasks: Creating digital products, affiliate marketing, e-commerce, coaching or consulting.
- Why it’s great: Unlimited earning potential, complete control over your schedule, and opportunities to build long-term wealth.
- Find Resources: Where to Start? If you want to start you own online business, I suggest to follow some of the leaders in this area on Instagram, like Amy Porterfield and Carrie Green and listen to their podcasts.
5. Social Media Manager: Turn Your Scrolling Skills into Profit
- Average Salary: $20–$100/hour (Indeed)
- Time Commitment: 10–30 hours/week with flexible scheduling.
- Tasks: Content creation, posting schedules, engagement management, analytics reporting, strategy development.
- Why it’s great: High demand as businesses recognize the importance of social media, creative and engaging work, scalable skills.
- Find Jobs: LinkedIn Jobs, FlexJobs, Indeed
Tip: Use Facebook Groups to Find Legit Job Leads
- How it works: Many real remote job leads and freelance gigs are shared in niche Facebook groups. Search for groups like “Virtual Assistant Jobs,” “Remote Work for Moms,” or “Freelance Writing Jobs.”
- Why it works: You can connect directly with small business owners and entrepreneurs looking to hire. These groups are often less saturated than job boards and can lead to long-term gigs.
- Watch out for scams: If a job sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Never pay upfront for a job opportunity. Be wary of vague job descriptions, requests to purchase training, or being asked to move conversations off-platform quickly. Check the group rules and reviews before engaging. If you are looking for a job, they should be paying you for your skills, not you paying them to up-skill (unless that is your goal – to learn a new skill).
- Pro Tip: Turn on notifications for your favorite job groups so you can jump on new leads quickly.
Pros and Cons: Working from Home for Yourself vs. Working for Someone Else
| Aspect | Work for Yourself (Freelance/Own Business) | Work for Someone Else (Remote Employee) |
|---|---|---|
| Flexibility | High; set your own schedule | Moderate; structured hours, often fixed |
| Income Stability | Variable month-to-month | Predictable and stable |
| Benefits (Health, Retirement) | Self-funded; potentially expensive | Employer-provided, usually subsidized |
| Taxes | Higher (self-employment tax, approx. 30%) | Lower (withholding, approx. 22%) |
| Social Interaction | Limited; can be isolating | Built-in via coworkers |
| Career Growth | Entrepreneurial; build business equity | Clear career progression, promotions |
Considerations and Reality Check
Here’s an annual financial snapshot comparing working for yourself vs. working for an employer at a monthly income of $5,000:
| Annual Income Breakdown | Self-employed ($60,000/yr) | Remote Employee ($60,000/yr) |
|---|---|---|
| Net Income after Taxes | ~$42,000 | ~$46,800 |
| Health Insurance Cost (Annual) | ~$9,600 | ~$3,000 |
| 401(k) Retirement Contribution | Self-funded (optional) | Employer match (~$3,000) |
| Paid Vacation (Value) | $0 | ~$2,885 |
| Paid Sick Days (Value) | $0 | ~$962 |
| Adjusted Total Income + Benefits | ~$32,400 | ~$50,647 |
Source: IRS, Healthcare.gov, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The numbers don’t lie—traditional employment often provides better financial security. But here’s what the spreadsheet can’t capture: the freedom to attend every school play, the ability to work in your pajamas, and the pride that comes from building something entirely your own.
Why Self-Employment, and Entrepreneurial Ventures Still Make Sense for Many Moms
Flexibility that actually works: When your child gets sick, you reschedule clients—you don’t use up precious PTO or stress about calling in sick again.
Skills that compound: Running your own business develops marketing, sales, and project management skills that make you incredibly attractive to future employers, should you choose to go back to the corporate world.
Career insurance: Having your own income stream means you’re never completely dependent on one employer, giving you leverage and options.
Real-world growth potential: Unlike many traditional jobs with salary caps, successful freelancers and business owners can significantly increase their earnings over time. There is no glass ceiling.
The Hybrid Approach: Having Your Cake and Eating It Too
Many successful work-at-home moms don’t choose between employment and entrepreneurship—they do both. Consider part-time remote employment that provides benefits and stability, combined with freelance work that offers additional income and creative fulfillment.
For example: A part-time customer service role (20 hours/week with benefits) plus freelance writing projects could provide the perfect balance of security and flexibility.
Your Next Steps Start Now
The path you choose depends on what matters most to you right now: steady income, maximum flexibility, or long-term wealth building. There’s no wrong choice—only what works best for your family at this moment.
Remember, while maternal employment has recovered and even exceeded pre-pandemic levels, the employment rate of mothers (71.7% in February 2024) remains far lower than that of fathers (92.0%). This means there’s still work to be done in creating truly family-friendly work opportunities, but it also means you’re part of a growing movement of women who refuse to choose between career and family.
The most important step? Starting. Whether that’s updating your LinkedIn profile, taking an online course, or reaching out to your network, progress beats perfection every time.
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