Best Jobs for New Moms

Being a mom is the most important and rewarding job in the world. It’s also very demanding. You’re on-call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and you want the very best for your family; to raise happy, healthy, and well-adjusted, well-educated children who will become respectable, functional adults. With that said, however, for so many mothers, they need to add another job title to their resumes. 

While “Mom” may be the most important and rewarding position a woman will ever have, there aren’t any monetary gains; in fact, in today’s day-and-age, having kids is expensive. Clothing, feeding, bathing, diapering, and everything else that comes along with childcare, on top of the cost of living – which is increasing at a rapid rate – most moms have to earn an income, even if they don’t want to. Some moms also long to have careers outside of motherhood; they have dreams and goals that they want to fulfill in addition to raising children. 

Whether you need to earn an income to supplement your spouse’s salary, you’re a single mom who has to support your family solo, or you’d like to work for personal reasons, if you’re a new mom who is seeking employment, you may be wondering where to start. Read on for some helpful information, such as job considerations and job seeker tips, that you can use to help you successfully find a position that will allow you to provide financial support for your family. 

Unique Challenges for Working Moms

Before we jump in and explore different employment ideas for mothers, it’s first important to discuss some of the unique challenges that working moms face. Traditionally, “full-time mom” was the job title of most mothers; however, in the last few decades, that has changed. Since the 1960s, 1970s (give or take), inflation has made it necessary for so many mothers to obtain employment. Additionally, the views of modern-day women have changed, and many women want to seek employment and careers for personal reasons. For these reasons and more, the number of mothers who are seeking full-time jobs has dramatically increased; in fact, being a working mother has become the norm. 

While it may be the norm and even expected, being a working mother does have its share of problems. Women who have children face a lot of unique challenges that single women counterparts do not have to contend with. Understanding these challenges is important, as it will make finding and holding a job a bit easier. So, what are those challenges? Here are some of the most notable: 

• Additional costs. Whether it’s you and your spouse or you’re a single mom, when you’re a working mom, childcare is a must, and the cost of childcare can be quite exorbitant. Quality daycare facilities can be quite costly, and in fact, comprise a large percentage of a family’s income, and that income, of course, includes mom’s earnings. This is one of the biggest challenges that working mothers face. In some countries, such as Australia, families who depend on parenting allowances, can face even greater difficulties as a result of a secondary wage, as the allowance amount issued is lower for families who earn more. 
• Increased stress. Work can be stressful for everyone, but for moms in particular, it can be quite overwhelming. In fact, researchers have confirmed that of all the demographics, working mothers face much higher stress levels than full-time mothers and working women who are not mothers. Being a mom is demanding and worrisome on its own; mix in the added responsibilities that come along with work and worrying if you aren’t meeting your children’s needs because you are working, and, well, it’s easy to see why working moms have a lot of stress to deal with. 
• Health complications. The increased workload that working mothers have to face puts a tremendous amount of strain on various parts of their bodies. As a result of carrying all of the burden that comes along with raising children and juggling a career, working moms can suffer a variety of mental, emotional, and physical issues, such as anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation, body aches and pains, and even cardiac issues. Though the additional income that a working mom brings in can help to provide a healthier lifestyle for herself and her family, the reduced care she provides for herself can have negative consequences on her own health. 
• Managing household responsibilities. While it is true that men have started to take on a lot more responsibility when it comes to household chores when compared to their counterparts from the 1970s, women do still bear the brunt of the household duties. This can also add to the stress that a working mom faces. 
• Workplace issues. Statistics have shown that even though their qualifications may be the same or even greater, working moms earn less than their counterparts who are not mothers. This is often because they are discriminated against or ostracized, as it’s often assumed that working moms are not as devoted to their work as women who do not have children. As a result, working moms may not be satisfied with their work, they can suffer psychological issues, and there’s a greater chance that they will end up leaving their positions. 
• Relationship issues. Many working mothers complain about relationship issues. Because they feel as if they are doing more than their husbands – and often, they are – they feel resentful, which can have negative implications on their relationships. Additionally, increased fatigue, stress, anxiety, and sheer frustration can also make a working mom resent her spouse. As a result, it is not uncommon for working mothers to experience relationship issues. 
• No personal time. Lastly, working mothers have little time for themselves. After spending long hours on-the-job, working moms have to immediately switch gears and take care of their kids. At the end of the day, when all is said and done, working mothers are often too exhausted to invest any time in themselves.

Bringing these challenges to light is in no way meant to deter you from seeking employment; rather, the intention is to bring awareness to these issues so that you are not caught off-guard. When you know what to expect, you can make appropriate plans and accommodations to minimize the effects of these issues.  

Best Jobs for New Moms

Now that you’re aware of some of the unique challenges that working mothers face, let’s jump in and explore some of the best jobs for new  moms. 

Best Work-at-Home Jobs

For many moms who have to work, a home-based gig is the ideal situation, as it affords them the opportunity to earn an income and support their family financially, while also being there, in-person, for their children. Thanks to technology, the work-at-home landscape has never been better; in fact, it’s easier than ever before to find home-based employment. If this sounds appealing to you, here’s a look at some of the different options that you might want to consider: 

• Freelance writer. If you have a knack with words, consider looking for work as a freelance writer. You can offer to write blog posts for companies, articles for online and print magazines and newspapers, website content, and so much more! You’ll need to do some research and will have to build yourself up, but with due diligence and determination, it is absolutely possible for moms to earn an income as a freelance writer while working from home. 
• Proofreader. Another great working-at-home option that centers on words for moms is proofreading. With this gig, you’ll proofread a variety of written pieces, such as blog posts, articles, papers, emails, and the like, using a fine-tooth comb to check for spelling, grammar, and style errors. 
• Bookkeeping. Another highly appealing work-at-home job for working moms is online bookkeeping. In this role, you’ll collect and organize various types of paperwork, including financial transactions, tax documents, and other “book-related” information for clients, and you’ll then assess that information to ensure that everything is in order.
• Administrative assistant. This role involves a variety of responsibilities, such as basic data entry to making appointments and more. You can offer your services on a freelance basis, or there are lots of companies that offer online administrative assistant jobs that can be done from home. 
• Childcare provider. Another great job option that mothers find appealing is providing childcare services. You’re caring for your own children, so why not care for other children, too? Not only will you be able to earn an income, but your own kids will have built-in playmates, which is definitely a major perk. You could set up a home-based daycare out of your own house (just make sure you check with your local area’s rules, laws, and regulations, first), or you can offer to babysit or provide nanny services on a full-time or part-time basis; sites like Care.com are a great place to find gigs in your area. 

Jobs that Don’t Require Degrees

Just because you don’t have a college degree, that doesn’t mean that you can’t land a job. There are plenty of employment opportunities for moms who haven’t attained a secondary education. Some examples include: 

• Call center agent. There are lots of companies that employ call center agents to provide phone-based services for their clients, such as Amazon, Verizon, and even local cable providers and hotel chains. Responsibilities vary, but usually include answering calls and handling inquiries. You’ll need minimal background noise, so do keep that in mind. 
• Data entry. This is another option that doesn’t require a degree. In this position, you’d be entering data into a computer system or into a secure file system of some sort. You may need to complete some other types of clerical duties, too.  Keep in mind that you’ll need to have a pretty decent typing speed and will have to be able to read quickly, too. 
• Graphic designer. Though having a degree can be helpful, you don’t have to have one in order to be a graphic designer. In this role, you will provide visual solutions for clients, and as such, having a creative flair and being able to bring the visions of others to life is paramount. Additionally, having experience with graphic design software, such as Photoshop or InDesign, is usually a plus, and may even be required. 
• Project manager. If you manage time, money, and numbers well, and you have good interpersonal skills, a project manager may be the right option for you. In this position, you’ll develop the requirements, budgets, and schedules that pertain to a company’s projects. 
• Social media coordinator. If you’re active on social media sites, the role of a social media manager is one that you could fill without needing a college degree. If you enjoy discussing the latest news, current events, and trends, you’re always the first one to “know”, you like chatting about your own personal hobbies, or you like to share your opinions about popular topics, such as fashion, politics, home décor, etc., you could totally be a social media manager. In this gig, you’ll use social networking sites, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, to introduce new topics or to promote products, services, and ideas online. You’ll come up with and share clever, attention-grabbing posts that will get people chatting and sharing, and will actively engage in lighthearted conversations with those you interact with. 
• Translator. Do you speak more than one language fluently? If so, how about providing your services as a translator? The world is more connected than ever before. By offering your services as a translator, you can bring together people by helping them overcome language barriers. You can translate documents, blog posts, or even offer voice-over services for news channels and the like. 

Summing It Up

While it may not be the ideal, if you’re a new mom and you’re seeking employment, take comfort in knowing that there’s never been a better time for working mothers to find good-paying jobs. There are so many work-at-home gigs that you can do with your little ones right beside you, providing for their needs while also bringing in an income that will support your family financially. Whichever field you seek employment in, just keep the challenges that were outlined above in mind so that you can ensure happiness, healthiness, and success. And don’t forget that there is always help if you’re stuck on getting started with your resume.