Jobs for (new) mums that actually work around family life

When you have a child, your whole world changes.

Your values, your priorities, the way you want to spend your time…

So when you’re ready to go back to work, it’s completely understandable if you don’t want to return to your old job.

(And if you have to due to circumstances, also check out my post Depressed about going to work after maternity leave? Read this.)

You may want part time or more flexible hours. Maybe you want something with more purpose. Or perhaps you want to work from home so you’re not tied to one location. Maybe you finally want to follow a dream you’ve had for years.

There’s no right or wrong here.

And it doesn’t matter what other mums do, the right choice is whatever works best for you and your family.

Changing careers after having a baby can feel scary, but honestly, this can be one of the best times to do it.

Because from now on, your children are constantly watching and learning from you.

And if there’s a dream or calling on your heart, you’re teaching them something powerful: that it’s okay to build a life that truly makes you happy.

In this post, I share the best jobs that are not soul destroying and work beautifully around family life.

Let’s dive in!

Let’s start with my story…

I have a background in marketing and copywriting, and I planned to go back to work and had big career goals for my future.

But when my twins arrived, everything changed.

I suffered from severe postnatal depression.

And I quickly realised how much there is to motherhood that people don’t talk about – and how many silent struggles this leads to.

And I just KNEW I had to do something about it. That this was my purpose.

It wasn’t even a decision. It was a knowing.

So when I pulled through PPD, I started this blog, published my book Motherhood: The Unspoken, and began mentoring mums around the world so they never have to feel alone or like they’re failing.

And I never looked back.

The point is, becoming a mum can completely reshape your priorities.

And while that can feel scary at first, it can also open doors you never imagined before.

So if you no longer feel excited about going back to your old job, here are some career ideas that may fit this new season of your life much better.

Online based jobs

1. Blogging

If you enjoy writing, or feel curious about exploring it, you can do what I did and start a blog.

Writing can be incredibly powerful and healing. And the best part is, you can turn almost any passion, experience, or calling into a blog.

Just keep in mind that blogging usually doesn’t make money overnight. It often takes several months before you can start monetising your blog.

But girl, is it worth it!

Blogging is amazing for new mums because it gives you flexibility, creativity, and the chance to build something that’s truly yours.

That said, I would only recommend it if you’re genuinely committed and willing to keep going even when you’re not seeing much return in the beginning. The early stages can feel slow, and honestly, that’s the reason many new bloggers quit.

Also, note that if you want to turn blogging into a real business, there is a real science and strategy behind it.

If you only want to write for fun, that’s absolutely fine. But if your goal is to earn money from blogging, you need to learn how blogging actually works.

I strongly recommend learning the business side of blogging from the start.

After years of blogging and seeing very little results, I finally invested in the ebook How to Grow Your Blog From Scratch by Angela Vuz, and it was one of the best business decisions I’ve made.

It completely changed the way I approached blogging and helped me grow my traffic significantly – and finally start building an income from it.

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2. Affiliate marketing

Another option is becoming an affiliate, which means you earn money by recommending other people’s products or services.

You can recommend products you already use and genuinely like (which I personally recommend), or sign up to affiliate platforms and choose companies from there.

Some popular affiliate platforms for both UK and US mums include:

You earn a commission when someone buys through your link. Every company offers different commission rates, but most programmes pay somewhere between 5% and 30%. Some digital products and online services – especially higher end ones – can pay even more.

The ways you can promote products or services as an affiliate are endless, but most people use:

Blogs
TikTok
Pinterest
Instagram
Facebook

3. Tutoring

If you enjoy teaching, tutoring could be perfect for you.

Many people think they have nothing to teach, but many people also don’t realise how much they have to offer so give it a thought before you dismiss it.

You can tutor:

School subjects
English (or any language) online
Music
Even crafts or skills you’ve developed over the years
Any hobby people are interested in

Most tutors charge between £20–£50 per hour, so you don’t need to work many hours to make it worthwhile.

It also works really well in the evenings once the kids are in bed, which is a big bonus for new mums.

Check out platforms like Tutorful, Superprof, and MyTutor to find your first students. They make the process super easy, so you don’t have to find clients all by yourself.

4. Customer service jobs from home

Many companies now hire remote customer service staff. (Personally, I didn’t know this before I started research for this post, and I think it’s a great way to earn some extra money!)

You don’t usually need any experience or qualifications. Most companies will train you from scratch.

You could be:

Answering customer questions via chat
Replying to emails
Helping people over the phone

It’s steady work with a reliable income, which is great when you have a little one (or little ones) to think about.

Lots of roles offer flexible hours too!

Check out Indeed, Reed, or go straight to the websites of bigger brands like Amazon, Sky, or ASOS. They’re always hiring remote support staff.

5. Influencer

Yes, you can be an influencer!

And it’s easier than you may think.

Is there something you’re passionate about? That you’re going through right now? Or just love talking about?

You can absolutely build your audience around it.

Are you a new mum struggling with sleep deprivation? Talk about it.

Are you navigating life with a toddler and a newborn? Talk about it.

Are you obsessed with budget meals or home organisation? Yes, you can talk about it too.

There is an audience for everything.

The beauty of this is that your struggles can become your superpower.

When I struggled with postnatal depression (also known as postpartum depression or PPD), I felt like a complete failure that is no good to anyone. And what did I do? I used my experience to support and help other mums so they don’t have to feel like I did.

You can do the same thing.

The things you’re going through right now are the very things other mums are desperately searching for online — and you could be the person helping them.

You can do it on:

Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Facebook

And the sky really is the limit. Some influencers make a modest side income, others turn it into a full time business. It all depends on how much you want it and how much you believe in yourself.

And no, you don’t need a big following to start earning.

All big influencers started with 1 follower.

6. Selling digital products

This one is a bit of a hidden gem.

You create something once, and it can keep making you money over and over again.

We’re talking things like:

Printable planners
Budget trackers
Meal planners
Parenting guides
Templates
E-books

The greatest part is that once it’s created, it can sell while you sleep.

Which honestly feels a little magical the first time it happens!

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READ MORE: Why Mum Burnout Is NOT a Badge of Honour (And Why We Need to Stop Glorifying Sacrifice)
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You don’t need to be a designer or a tech wizard either.

Tools like Canva make it super easy to create beautiful products even if you’ve never done anything like this before.

You can sell them on platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, your own website – or your blog!

It might start as a little side hustle that brings in a few extra pounds a month, but it can also grow into something much bigger.

Pleas note that it’s not easy though!

Creating the product is the easy part, but getting people to actually buy it is a whole different story.

It often takes testing, tweaking, and a bit of trial and error before you figure out what works.

But once you crack it? That’s when the magic happens and the money really does start coming in while you sleep.

Offline based jobs

1. Childminder or babysitter

If you’re already at home with your little one, why not get paid to look after a couple more?

Honestly, it makes so much sense!

You’re already doing it, so you might as well earn some money while you’re at it.

The best bits:

You work from home
Your own kids are with you the whole time
You choose your own hours
No commute, no boss, no drama

The kids actually often keep each other company, which can also make your days easier.

(Well, on some days anyway.)

For mums in the UK: if you want to do it properly as a childminder you’ll need to register with Ofsted.

For mums in the US: rules vary by state so check your local child care licensing requirements. A CPR and First Aid certification isn’t required but it’s a great trust builder with parents. The American Red Cross offers courses online.

2. School dinner assistant or teaching assistant

If you want a job that fits around family life almost perfectly, this is one of the best options because your hours usually match your children’s school hours.

Which means:

You’re home for pick up
You get weekends off
You get school holidays off too
The routine is usually stable and predictable

For many mums, this kind of routine feels priceless after the chaos of early motherhood.

And no, you don’t always need loads of qualifications either.

School dinner assistant roles are usually very straightforward to apply for, and many teaching assistant positions offer training on the job.

And here’s a hidden bonus: schools are often full of other mums too, so you are likely to meet people who are in the same (or similar) stage of life as you.

This can be priceless.

3. Cleaner

I know, this might not sound glamorous, but cleaning jobs can work really well for mums.

They are flexible, so you can often work around nursery hours or school hours.

You can clean:

Homes
Offices
Schools
Holiday rentals
Airbnbs

And many cleaners work early mornings or evenings, which can actually be super helpful (if you have someone who can watch the kids during those times, of course).

One of the biggest benefits of working as a cleaner is that you (usually) don’t take any stress home with you.

When your shift finishes, your shift finishes.

No answering emails at 9pm, bringing work home, or boss messaging you at silly o’clock.

And honestly, after the mental load of motherhood, sometimes having a simple job feels like pure heaven.

It can also feel surprisingly calming and meditative, which can be really good for your mental wellbeing.

You can often start quickly without any qualifications or experience too.

And if you enjoy it, many mums even go on to start their own cleaning business later on!

4. Healthcare and nursing

If you are interested in helping others, you could consider working in healthcare.

Many people start working in healthcare after completely different careers, simply because their values and priorities have changed over time (or with motherhood).

There are many paths you can take.

For example:

Healthcare assistant
Support worker
Midwifery
Nursing
Mental health support
Nurse practitioner roles

And sure, most of these jobs require training, so you could study slowly over time while raising your children.

Healthcare careers are always needed, which can give you a bit more job security long term.

And if you ever want to go further in nursing, there are higher level study routes you can take later on, like DNP nurse practitioner programs (sponsored recommendation). These can lead to better paid jobs and more specialist roles where you have even more responsibility and skills.

You can explore it here:
DNP nurse practitioner programs (sponsored recommendation)

It’s not the easiest path on this list, but for many mums, it can be incredibly rewarding.

5. Companion

Another rewarding job is companionship, which is about keeping someone company, helping them feel less lonely, making a cup of tea, chatting, or going for little walks together.

For many elderly people especially, that companionship means absolutely everything.

And as a mum, you already have so many of the skills needed for this job:

Patience
Listening
Calming people down
Helping others feel safe and cared for

Most companionship roles offer flexible shifts, although hours are usually not guaranteed.

The best thing about this job is that it can give you a deeper sense of purpose.

You’re not just clocking in and out, you’re making a real difference for people.

And as we all know, after becoming a mum, work that feels meaningful matters so much more than it used to.

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6. Market stall or small business

A great option for creative mums who enjoy making things.

Trust me, so many small businesses start from just trying something at home for fun.

You could sell:

Cakes
Crafts
Candles
Baby gifts
Clothing
Personalised items

You can sell your products:

At local markets
On Etsy
On your website
On social media
Or both online and offline together

The great thing is that you can start small.

You don’t need loads of money, or having it all figured out from day one.

You can slowly build it around your children and family life.

Sure, it can take time to grow.

But if it’s something you really enjoy and do anyway, you have nothing to lose really.

Not to mention how exciting it feels watching people buy something you created yourself.

There’s honestly something soooo special about making your first sale, that you’ll probably want to screenshot it and show everyone.

(Which is completely normal, by the way.)

7. Fitness or baby class instructor

If you like being around people and helping them feel good, this could be a really lovely option for you.

There are many different classes mums can run now:

Baby massage
Toddler dance classes
Mum fitness classes
Pregnancy yoga
Baby sensory classes

And trust me, mums are always looking for things to do with their babies and toddlers.

Many of these classes are full of mums looking for friendship and support too.

So you’re not just running a class, you’re helping mums (and yourself) feel less lonely.

I’d recommend to start small and take it from there.

Maybe one class a week at first, and before you know it, you’ve built something really special in your local community.

One last thing

If you’re reading this and still feeling unsure about what to do next, that’s completely okay.

You don’t have to decide anything right now.

And you don’t have to pick the “perfect” job.

Just see what resonates with you, give it a try, and take it from there.

The most important thing is that whatever you choose, you actually like it and enjoy it.

You can start something and change your mind later. That’s totally fine and happens to so many people.

You don’t fail if you don’t stick to your original plan, you only really fail if you have a dream and never do anything about it.

You’ve got this, mama!

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