If you’re a stay-at-home parent thinking about starting a side hustle, you’re not alone. With inflation at an all-time high, it’s estimated that nearly 50% of Americans have at least one part-time job in addition to their full-time job to make ends meet (even if their parents make more than $100,000). But having some extra pocket money, while a nice bonus, isn’t the only reason many parents seek out a side hustle.

Neha Ruch, a mother, entrepreneur, author and founder of Mother Untitled, an organization that helps parents succeed in the gig world, has sparked a reexamination of the culture around work and work by staying home and finding ways to work from home during the pandemic. family.

“Remote work opens up a new way of thinking about how to make space for your own priorities and your family,” Ruch told Scary Mom. “We’re seeing parents—whether working in the traditional workforce, working part-time, or entirely at home focusing on child care—making space for passion projects as a way to stay connected to the workforce on their own terms. approach, or true self-care as an act, focusing on personal hobbies and interests outside of home life.

Balancing a part-time job with raising children and, in some cases, a full-time job can be tricky. The lines between mom and “side hustle” can get blurry, and staying motivated through the ups and downs of parenting and playing can be challenging. Below, Ruch shares her secrets on how to run a successful side hustle and parents.

What should you look for in a part-time job?

First, you might be confused about what exactly you can do or want to do as a side hustle. To make things easier, Ruch suggests that, regardless of size, additive Give you a life.

“Ideally, they help you develop skills, develop interests or make money,” she said. “Of course, if two of those are ideal, then three is a home run, Very Rare. Also, consider how much time you can give to the work. Building your own business or project is self-directed, but it also requires a lot of heart and space (and sometimes money).

For creatives, Ruch recommends freelancing or consulting for other businesses as a great way to provide and develop marketable skills. It’s also an excellent option for stay-at-home parents looking to stay connected to the workforce, or even traditionally employed parents looking to explore other options.

“The gift of today’s era is that there are so many markets offering flexible working opportunities, including Mother has no title, But starting among my peers was still my first stop,” she said. “Once you get out loud among your peers that you’re considering a new idea or interest—freelance writing, for example—someone knows someone or somewhere to start your search.

But how do you balance parenting and side hustle culture?

Deciding to add something else to the buffet where you have to choose to spend your time is a big deal at a time-limited stage. That’s why it’s important to acknowledge that while the benefits may be clear, running a side hustle can also be challenging, Ruh says.

“The key here is to know that if you choose to add something to the buffet, you have to take something away (at least for now),” she explains. “When I was filming Untitled Mother during naps and at night when my children were little, I voluntarily let go of other expectations for myself. I avoided elaborate meals and mostly ate simple or frozen meals to free up sleep time, and save money for your own sleep time.

Another key factor, according to Ruch, is to be truly committed to your side hustle, no matter what’s going on around you.

“If you take this seriously, you can ask others to do the same,” she said. “If that means you swap weekend mornings with friends (in the case of a two-parent household) with your partner, or hire paid help, then there’s no magic hour – you have to put it aside and do Be prepared and surround yourself with some people.

Ruch also recommends considering your project’s unique indicators of success.

“Maybe just to learn, build a community, or gather experience in a specific field so you can grow in your career,” she said. “You can revisit the year each year and recalibrate how much time and resources you can devote. Most importantly, don’t let your pace exceed your goals. For five years, I spent most of my time at home caring for my young children. Boy, I could just plant seeds Mother has no title, But I knew the mission was clear, and I put in as much time and energy as I could until one day, the time came, to grow it into the movement it is today. If you’re in the off-season, remember that small seeds can be powerful.

What are the disadvantages of working part-time as a parent?

Ruch acknowledges that the blurred lines between flexible work and home can be both a blessing and a burden. It’s common, she says, to try to work on side projects on the fringes of family life. “If this is the case — and this is something you do during naps or at night — be mindful of your expectations for growth so you don’t burn both ends,” she warns. “When you’re ready to grow this project, make sure you invest in yourself and dedicate your time to it. sustainable Make a way for your family.

That means time can be devoted to caring for children without putting a strain on the family system, Ruch said. “The biggest risk in the era of flexible work is that we think it’s just another way to have it all – to do more without more support,” she said. “Parenting needs support, full stop, and as we add more things that require more time, we need to resource ourselves accordingly.”

But Ruch also stresses that being able to do meaningful work in a way that works for you, or stay connected and inspired in your family life, is powerful. As a result, “it ensures that you have varying degrees of intentionality in how you manage your time and priorities,” she says. “This means that every week, and sometimes every day, you have to know if and when parenting or your plans are going to get more attention, and then do your best to be present in every aspect.”