Please inspire me! WFH jobs for new mums...

[Sash95]

I'm a soon-to-be single mum (baby due next week!). I had to leave my main job after escaping DV a few months ago. Since then, I have been working freelance, mostly tutoring, to pay the bills.

I will go back full-time after maternity leave. I am looking for part-time work, ideally WFH, that I can do in the day/evenings to start ASAP for 6-12 months, as maternity will not be enough to live on. I'm open to anything as this will only be short-term - customer service, admin PA work, translation, data entry etc.

What work did you do postpartum? How did you juggle work and childcare before nursery?

I would carry on tutoring; the only problem I see is that when I have a student, I need at least 30 minutes to 1 hour of uninterrupted time per lesson, which I can't do while looking after a baby.

I'm just exploring options at this stage, any suggestions would be really appreciated. As I mentioned, I have a long-term plan; just need something to find something short-term to make ends meet for the first few months.

Helpful info!

There's a lot of niche editing publications out there, including networking and mil coms. There are freelance companies who pay per piece people to edit and write content for third parties in those fields.

@Cazziebo I really admire you! That must have been really hard work. Technical writing is something that interests me a lot. I made profiles on a few different sites like Upwork and Fiver. I hoped to find some technical writing/editing/transcription or translation work. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get anyone to hire me! These sites make you pay to submit an application for each project, which seems crazy to me! I'll check out PeoplePerHour! Thanks for the suggestion!

Also, @Dolphinnoises and @JKBH2728 . Thank you for the kind words. It's been a rough few months, and I really appreciate the support. I don't think benefits are anything to be ashamed of. I understand that's why they are there, but I would rather support myself if there are other ways. If things don't go to plan and I have to go to UC for a few months until I can go back to work, at least then I can say I gave it my everything first.

Content writing or editing? I did that for a large education resources provider (th
when I was between jobs. 4 or so meetings a week and some were recorded. Everything else was managed on your output. Would potentially have been manageable with a low needs baby who napped!

@InsidiousRasperry please point me in the direction of the Scottish group!

Your body will need to recover, and your baby will need you. Please use the support that is available. It's what it's there for 💐

If you can make ends meet with benefits then please just claim them, that's what they're for. A gentler maternity leave will benefit both you and your baby and then you'll be less shattered when it's time to return to work.

It’s just called ‘Flexible Working Scotland’, it’s a really nice group and no MLM rubbish!!

You can't work AND look after a baby, that would make you shitty employee and an even shittier mum!

Please take the benefits. This is literally what they're there for.

It doesn't mean you'll be on them forever and it won't disadvantage you in any way when looking for a job.

But,right now, you could do with the guarantee of a certain level of income.

Please don't underestimate the toll having a baby will take and potential exhaustion and "full timeness" of it all.

Maybe find out a bit more about applying for benefits (I don't know the system wt all can you start UC application now and then update when baby comes?)

Allow yourself some time with new baby to recover and get to know baby. That's really important. And then look for work and work out childcare etc once you are settled.

@Blessedbethefruitz How did you get editing jobs please?

You're a qualified personal trainer. So could you do classes for other new mothers, whereby they can take their babies and you set up a creche? You'd need to employ someone to watch the babies, insurance, etc etc so it mightnt be worthwhile. Am not sure using newborn babies as weights would work... but fitness class with pram or buggy for older ones?

I went straight in from the ground floor (editorial assistant) after my stem PhD, niche b2b magazines. Been wfh since 2016, excluding travel to trade shows/conferences. I have experience now, but no qualifications in editing/publishing.

I was given a settlement while on my second maternity a couple of years back, and before finding this job, was looking at freelance editing bits mainly via LinkedIn.

Work for yourself as a virtual assistant? To an extent you choose your hours and it can be done around a baby - my own VA has a 3 month old.

Lots of good advice on Facebook and TikTok - drop me a message if you want some recommendations of who to follow

If you speak two languages, and are ex military (so presumably have some level of clearance) could you do your translation qualifications and see if you can get a foot in the door as a translator? Or medical stuff, if you have that background? They tend to be project based rather than 9-5 in an office, and you could do that on a self employed basis around the baby.

But like a PP said; the whole reason we pay taxes is to have this safety net. You have paid tax and you are entitled to the benefits. Take them while you need them!

I work for an online college and work evenings and school hours, marking assignments and answering email queries from students. Only downside is it’s classed as self employment so no holiday pay but that’s nothing for the flexibility it gives me. Might be an option depending on your qualifications.

Could you give me some more information about this please. Where did you find out about a job like this?

@Deedee248 I already had my assessor and speciality qualifications, worked for adult ed and job centre training centres. I just called up a few online colleges and asked if they needed any tutors…got accepted to one and it’s all I’ve done for a few years now.

Another one saying take the benefits for your baby. You've earnt them, you'll pay back the system many times over but after everything you've been through you and your little one deserve some time together focussed on yourselves.

You won't get this time back and you have many more years to pay tax.