I Want to Stay at Home: Real Options for Moms Who Want More Time With Their Kids
If you don’t want to choose between going back to the office or spending time at home with your kids, here’s how to find jobs for moms with no experience…
If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “I just want to stay at home,” you’re not alone.
Whether you’re married or solo-parenting, working full-time or juggling part-time hours, there’s a good chance you’ve felt that tug—the deep-down desire to be more present. For your kids and for yourself. To slow the rush, be more mindful and actually enjoy this part of your life.
Everything seems so fast now, so many expectations and ideals we are meant to embody. It’s exhausting! Even the most energetic person is being worn down and feeling tired!
I want to tell you something that I wish someone had told me earlier! You don’t have to choose between staying at home with your kids and contributing financially. There are real, achievable ways to work from home, and they don’t require a new degree, 10 hours a day, or being glued to your screen while your child begs for your attention.
You’re Not JUST a Work-From Home Mom. You’re Allowed to Want More (and Less)
That feeling in your chest? The one that whispers “this pace isn’t working” or “I wish I could just be home”—listen to it. That’s you inner knowing asking for a different way.
This isn’t about being lazy. It’s about being aware. Aware that time with your kids is fleeting. Aware that your energy is stretched thin. Aware that maybe, just maybe, life shouldn’t feel this hard all the time.
And this is exactly when the mom guilt kicks in. The moment you start craving something softer, slower with more space to actually breathe! To actually live inside your life. We start dreaming of a version of things where we could just stay home.
But then comes the flip side.
Because yes, we want to stay at home.
But we also want to be stimulated, make money and feel purposeful. we want all the things!
Why Not Have Both?
(Yes, like the tacos meme. But this time it’s YOUR life we are talking about!)
You’re allowed to want to stay home and make money.
You’re allowed to want more time with your kids and meaningful work that lights you up. You’re allowed to want less rushing and more peace, less pressure and more purpose.
You’re allowed to want more time for your partner
And most importantly…
You’re allowed to want more time for yourself.
You Already Have So Much to Offer as a Mom
You don’t need to reinvent yourself to work from home….
You’re already skilled in ways that matter. Whether you’ve worked in an office, a hospital, a classroom—or you’ve spent years managing a household—you know how to communicate, solve problems, keep things moving, and care deeply. I used to joke that being a mom was like being a hostage negotiator… just with snacks. Hahaha.
It’s not about having some magical talent. It’s about looking at what you already know and asking, “how could this help someone else?”
Maybe you’re good at organizing chaos. Maybe you love writing, planning, tech, helping people, or making things beautiful. That’s your starting point. That’s the thing you can turn into income—even if you feel like you have “no experience.”
You Don’t Have to Have It All Figured Out
The biggest myth about working from home is that you have to know exactly what you’re doing before you start. You don’t.
What you do need is one quiet moment to say, “I’m going to try.” And from there? Pick one direction to explore. Not ten. Not everything all at once. Just one.
It’s easy to get pulled off course by all the bright, shiny things. TikToks and Reels are full of people telling you how they made thousands overnight or started a UGC business from their phone. It can feel like you’re already behind.
But sometimes? The answer is simpler than all that.
Job ideas to get started working from home
If you need some inspiration for ideas for stay-at-home moms, I dive deeper into job role ideas in Top 10 Remote Jobs to Start, where I share a beginner-friendly overview of flexible, in-demand online work for moms.
Before you chase the next big trend, take a breath and look at what you already have. The skills, the experience, the strengths that are already yours. That’s what you build from. That’s where the magic starts.
There are so many WAHM jobs out there that don’t require a degree or long hours. You just need a clear direction and a willingness to start small.
It’s not about going viral—it’s about getting started with what’s already in your hands.
That might be looking into virtual assistant jobs. Or seeing if you’d enjoy proofreading. Maybe you’re curious about web design or freelance writing. You don’t need to marry the first idea you find—you just need to give yourself permission to explore.
There are so many ways to work from home as a mom. Whether you’re looking for flexible job ideas or you’re not even sure where to begin, SuperWAHM’s Make Money Online section has plenty of inspiration to get you thinking.
Investing in Yourself Isn’t Selfish—It’s Smart
I know it can feel scary to spend time, energy, or money on something new when you’re already stretched thin. But investing in yourself, your growth, your learning, your next chapter is never a waste.
Even if it’s just an hour a day. Whether it’s a free webinar or a $40 course. Even if it’s blocking out one evening a week to build your skills and your confidence—it counts. Every small step adds up.
There are so many ways to start learning. You can find free and paid courses online, dive into YouTube tutorials, or even ask ChatGPT what skills are in demand and how to start learning them. You don’t have to do it all—you just have to begin.
Working from home isn’t a pipe dream—it’s a decision. A decision to back yourself, even when the path feels foggy. There are plenty of advantages on upskilling or changing career direction.
What to Do Next if You Want to Stay at Home and Work
So, you’ve assessed your skills. You’ve explored training, whether it’s a paid course or some self-taught rabbit holes on YouTube. Now what?
Now it’s time to take focused action.
Not frantic, not perfectionist—focused.
Start by choosing one clear path to follow. This might mean creating a basic resume tailored for remote roles, setting up a free profile on a freelance platform like upwork.com , or offering to help a friend or local business with something you’re good at. Keep it small, simple, and achievable.
The goal isn’t to launch a full business overnight. It’s to build momentum.
Commit to one next step this week. One job application. One sample portfolio. One DM to someone in the space you want to work in. One moment where you back yourself.
Because the truth is, you’re already on your way. This is where it starts to get real—in the best way.
If you’re making the shift from traditional work, my guide to jobs for moms with no experience can help you take those first steps with clarity and confidence.
Dream Big, Start Small- Work From Home With Confidence
If you’re sitting there thinking, I want to stay at home so bad but it feels too hard, I want you to know this.
It’s possible.
You can still earn. You can still grow. You can still be ambitious and present. Whether you’re just beginning motherhood or navigating the teen years, it’s never too late to rewrite the script.
Start by imagining what life could look like one year from now. What would it feel like to have work that fits around your family, not the other way around? What would it mean to be available for the moments that matter most?
And then just take one step toward it!
You’re Not Behind. You’re Right on Time.
Working from home doesn’t mean having it all figured out. It means deciding you’re ready for something different—and giving yourself the chance to build it.
If you’re ready to explore what that could look like, start by getting curious. Look into roles that match your strengths, follow people doing what you want to do, and take one small step forward—today.
Because the truth is, you don’t have to give up your dreams to be there for your kids.
You can do both. And you absolutely can start now.
I believe in you!! 🙂

Ali Stringer is a valued contributor to the Work At Home Smart community, a digital business focused on helping women thrive online. As a former high school teacher and married mum of two grown boys, Ali knows firsthand the challenges of balancing work and family. She wishes she’d discovered the online world sooner—but now, she’s on a mission to help people just like you create work-life harmony through flexible, meaningful online work.