Working from home as a stay-at-home dad can take some time to adjust to, especially if you’re a stay-at-home dad for the first time. Whether you’re someone who is creative, technically savvy, or if you’re interested in starting a business of your own, there are many different work-from-home job ideas to brainstorm that may fit perfectly with your new way of life. From developing marketing copy to assisting others virtually, there is no shortage of virtual and remote work available today.
Freelance Writing
If you’ve always had a knack for expressing yourself and the written word, you may want to consider working as a freelance writer. Working as a freelance writer is possible by becoming a full-time contractor and seeking repeat clients. You can also work with various online platforms that assist with finding work, whether you have experience working with roofers, as a teacher, or if you’re currently involved in HVAC. Becoming a freelance writer will require you to understand proper formatting requirements, basic HTML (in some instances), and how to cite sources properly (depending on the line of work you’re in).
Once you make the decision to work as a freelance writer, you’ll want to begin by developing an online presence for yourself in a professional sense. Creating a written portfolio with links to publications you’ve been featured in can also help when seeking new jobs or even full or part-time positions. Anytime you want to become a writer, it’s advisable to take some time to determine what type of writing you’re interested in and whether you’ll succeed as a fiction or non-fiction writer before you begin searching for work or reliable clients.
Virtual Assistant
As a stay-at-home dad, you might find yourself a bit limited in terms of accessibility when it comes to work. Whether you have experience of carpet installation or you’re a programmer, you may be able to find work as a virtual assistant. Working as a virtual assistant for an air conditioning company, a mortgage provider, or even a local bank is a way for you to help customers or clients in need with basic tasks, navigation, or various services they may require.
If you’re thinking of working as a virtual assistant, you want to consider which line of work is right for you and if you already excel in specific markets or industries. Finding a market you’re familiar with may make the transition a bit smoother, especially if you have little to no experience when it comes to working online. Keep in mind that while some virtual assistant jobs are remote and can be handled as a freelancer, there are also part and full-time positions that must be filled.
Online Tutoring
Providing online tutoring services is another way for you to ensure you can give back while also earning a living, even if you’re doing so from home at the time. If you’re a caregiver in the home, you can begin an online tutoring business at your convenience, based on the hours you’re likely to be free or days you’re not in charge of running the household. When you’re thinking of becoming an online tutoring professional, you will want to take some time to consider whether you’ll be doing as a tutor or if you’ll be using a third-party application or platform to promote your services, both locally and online.
Working in online tutoring may require you to provide proof of your education, skills, and/or experience, depending on the type of tutoring you’re offering or advertising. Building a portfolio can also help you attract more clients, especially if you’re newer to the industry. Anytime you provide tutoring to a classified client, be sure to inquire about a testimonial to help add to your professional portfolio of reviews for future prospective clients to see.
E-commerce Store Owner
Adjusting to life as a new stay-at-home dad doesn’t have to be boring, especially if you’re experienced in retail, sales, or even web development. One path to keep in mind if you’re looking to maintain your sense of freedom and flexibility while working from home is to consider developing an eCommerce store of your own. Today, it’s now easier than ever to build an eCommerce store, even if you’re inexperienced with web design, development, or programming. Using third-party platforms, apps, and solutions such as WooCommerce (free for WordPress), or Shopify will allow you to quickly build and launch an eCommerce store of your dreams, regardless of your preferred markets and industries.
If you’re trying to compete with local flooring stores, selling a prototype, or if you’re interested in selling collectibles, you can do so with the proper development and design of an eCommerce store of your own. When you want to move forward with your venture of building and operating an eCommerce store, you’ll need to dedicate a bit of time to researching various competitors, both locally and online, that may be directly within your market. The more you know about your competition, especially online, the easier it’ll be for you to develop a site that sets itself apart in terms of quality, content, and in some cases, even the prices of your products or services.
Building an eCommerce store requires some planning and foresight, especially when it comes to selecting and registering a domain name that’s not only relevant to the type of store you’re planning to run, but also memorable for your prospective customers. If you want to build an eCommerce store, you’ll need to consider the audience and demographics you’re trying to reach to determine which type of layout and design you should use to attract those who have a genuine interest in the products or services you intend to showcase. The more actively involved and engaged you are with the process of developing and designing your new eCommerce store, the more likely you’ll be to succeed, even if you’re entering a highly saturated market.
Graphic Design
Starting a business in graphic design or working as a part-time graphic designer, illustrator, or animator is another way for you to take advantage of any free time you can muster up when you’re living your life as a stay-at-home dad. Working as a graphic designer is possible from home by seeking clients using third-party platforms, with social media, or even with individual online marketing campaigns you choose to launch. You can also get started in graphic design by building a portfolio of your own which can be accessed online, helping you attract attention and garner new clients.
Whether you prefer offering logo designs for local home insulation contractors, retail store owners, or even other artists, you can do so by working for an agency, or you can opt to do so independently and on your own. If you plan to work full-time remotely as a graphic designer, you’ll need to take your online presence and portfolio seriously. Without an online presence and portfolio, it’ll be difficult for you to appeal to new customers and demonstrate your skills, abilities, and eye for design.
Once you have a certain style you’ve crafted and developed, you can then begin building a virtual portfolio that’ll help catch the eye of others who may require help with the design of a logo, marketing campaign, or other website elements. The more your style meshes with a clients’, the easier it’ll be for you to ensure their satisfaction. Using a visual portfolio is one of the best ways to showcase your style, sense of design, and preferred mediums.
Software Development
Going into software development doesn’t mean you’ll need to work in an office full-time, taking you away from your duties as a stay-at-home-dad. Today, there are more opportunities than ever for those who are interested in pursuing a career in software development to do so remotely and from the comfort of their own homes. Whether you’re working on developing a website for family law lawyers or if you’re working to build an application for a major corporation, there are many different positions and roles you can take on, depending on the extent of your skills in software development.
If you’re a seasoned programmer or software developer, you’ll need to consider which programming languages you’re familiar with and which languages are most in-demand for the type of work you’re interested in. From knowing C, C+, Java, JavaScript, Ruby, PHP, MySQL, and many more, there are always new programming languages you’ll want to keep up with trend-wise to ensure you’re on the right path. The more popular a programming language is once you start looking for work as a software developer, the easier it’ll be for you to find positions that are not only ideal for your skill set, but also more flexible based on your personal schedule at home as a stay-at-home dad.
Customer Service Representative
If you’re someone who considers themselves to be good with people or if you have extensive experience when it comes to working in customer service, working as a customer service representative online is one path to keep in mind. From offering navigation assistance on a website dedicated to local skin tightening treatment to responding to return or refund requests, there are various positions available for those seeking a position as a customer service representative, whether you intend to do so as a part-time gig or if you’re searching for a more stable, full-time job. Taking a job as a customer service representative will require you to maintain proper, professional, and clear communication skills, especially as you’ll likely be talking to clients over the phone, via email, or even with a live chat, depending on the site or company you’re working for at the time.
Customer service representative jobs can be found by searching on specific websites that have an entire team dedicated to ongoing customer service. You can also seek virtual or remote customer service jobs with the use of third-party job-seeking websites that are dedicated to remote or virtual positions. When you’re searching for work as a customer service representative, you may want to do so by searching for industries that are relevant to you and your personal life or past professional experience in the workforce for the best outcome possible.
Content Creation (YouTube, Podcasting, Blogging)
One of the biggest new career paths to consider if you’re a creative, self-motivated, and disciplined stay-at-home dad might include becoming a content creator. While creating videos may seem simple at the outset, you’ll need to research industries and select a highly targeted niche if you’re determined to grow your audience as fast as possible. Content creation can range from sharing blogs on your official website to uploading podcasts using services such as Spotify, to creating a YouTube or Rumble account for video-sharing purposes. If you’re thinking of becoming a content creator, you’ll want to begin by making a list of topics, subjects, and skills you’re interested in or already excel in throughout your daily life.
For example, if you provide an emergency plumbing service to local residents in your region, you may want to create content that reflects the importance of professional water treatments, the benefits of routine plumbing maintenance, and other at-home tips. The more useful your content is to your intended audience, the easier it’ll be for you to grow your presence online, regardless of the industry or submarkets you’re targeting. Spend a bit of time getting to know more about successful content creators in your preferred market or niche to gain a better understanding of the type of content or media that works best for the target audience you’re trying to reach.
Anytime you’re thinking of working from home as a stay-at-home dad, you’ll want to take some time to consider your wants, needs, and the vision you have for yourself, your family, and your future career. The more you know yourself, your innate skills, and your passions, the easier it’ll be for you to carve a path to success, even if you intend to do so from the comfort of your home as a new stay-at-home dad. Learning about all the new and exciting opportunities that are available around the world remotely or virtually is a way for you to make the most of any time you have to yourself as a stay-at-home dad at any time in your life.
