5 Side Hustles That Make Money While You’re Chasing Toddlers
Because You Need Extra Money, But You Don’t Have Extra Time
Parenting is a full-time job. So is managing a household. And somehow, you’re supposed to make extra money on the side without losing your sanity?
Good news: You don’t need 40 extra hours a week to start a side hustle.
Here are five parent-friendly side gigs that fit around nap time, school drop-offs, and your already busy AF schedule.
1. Selling Printables on Etsy (Passive Income Goldmine)
How it works:
- Create digital downloads like planners, budget templates, wedding checklists, chore charts.
- Upload them to Etsy with strong keywords and beautiful images.
- Customers buy and download instantly—you never have to ship anything.
Best part? You create it once and sell it forever.
💰 Earning Potential: $200–$2,000+/month depending on niche & SEO.
Example: A mom of 3, made $300 in her first month selling printable meal planners she designed during nap time using Canva Pro.
Mini How-To:
- Use Canva Pro to design your printable.
- Export as PDF and upload to Etsy.
- Optimize title, tags, and description with Etsy SEO.
- Promote on Pinterest using keyword-rich pins.
2. Virtual Assistant (VA) Work (Get Paid for Being Organized)
If you can:
- Answer emails
- Schedule appointments
- Manage calendars or social media
Congrats! You can be a VA and make money from your phone during nap time.
💰 Earning Potential: $15–$50/hour based on skills and client needs.
Best part? Most clients need only a few hours a week—totally flexible.
Pro Tip: Offer services on Fiverr, Upwork, or through Instagram DMs. Learn VA skills on Skillshare or Teachable
Mini How-To:
- Pick 2-3 services (e.g., inbox management, social content scheduling).
- Create a portfolio with Canva or Notion.
- Pitch yourself to small businesses and solopreneurs.
3. Flipping Thrift Store Finds (Turn Cheap into $$$)
Love thrifting or garage sales? Flip it into a side income.
How it works:
- Buy used items (books, toys, vintage decor) from thrift stores or Facebook Marketplace.
- Clean, style, and photograph them.
- Resell on eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, or Marketplace.
💰 Earning Potential: $100–$1,000/month depending on frequency and items.
Pro Tip: Use Google Lens to scan items in-store and check resale values.
Mini How-To:
- Set a weekly thrift trip budget.
- Look for name brands, collectibles, and quality toys.
- Clean, photograph, and post with clear titles & descriptions.
Example: A friend flipped a $3 bookshelf into $40 profit on Facebook Marketplace within a day.
4. Freelance Writing (Even If You’re Not a “Writer”)
Companies, bloggers, and startups need content. If you can write clearly, you can get paid.
What You Can Write:
- Blog posts
- Social media captions
- Product descriptions
- Newsletters
💰 Earning Potential: $50–$500/article depending on topic and experience.
Parent Tip: Batch write during nap time or after bedtime. Use tools like Jasper AI to help get started faster.
🛠️ Mini How-To:
- Pick 2-3 writing niches (e.g., parenting, finance, wellness).
- Create 2-3 samples using Canva or Google Docs.
- Apply to 5 jobs per week on Fiverr/Upwork.
Example: Kelsey made $800 her first month writing for mom blogs on evenings only.
5. Blogging & Affiliate Marketing (Long-Term Passive Income)
Got a passion for parenting, money tips, recipes, or DIY? Turn it into a profitable blog.
How it works:
- Choose a niche.
- Set up a blog using Bluehost (super beginner-friendly).
- Write helpful posts.
- Add affiliate links to relevant products.
💰 Earning Potential: $500–$5,000+/month (takes time to grow)
Best part? You own your content and it keeps earning 24/7.
🛠️ Mini How-To:
- Choose your niche (parenting, budgeting, side hustles).
- Set up your blog with a theme and plug-ins.
- Write 3-5 cornerstone blog posts.
- Promote via Pinterest, Facebook groups, and SEO.
Example: Lexi started blogging about her debt payoff journey and now earns $3,000/month with affiliate income from tools like Rakuten, EveryDollar, and M1 Finance.
Final Thoughts: Side Hustles for Busy Parents Are Possible
You don’t need a second full-time job—just one flexible hustle that fits your lifestyle.
Pick one hustle from this list and start today.
Next Step: Want to set your kid up for success, too?
Read: How to Raise a Kid Who’s Better With Money Than You Are.
Start small. Be consistent. And watch your income grow alongside your little ones.