Page 8 | How can I make a comfortable income from home

Sweetly1 · 2026-02-02T13:28:00+00:00

Hi Ladies I want to find out what ladies are doing to make a comfortable income around their primary school children and still have time for family? Kindly advise?

ThatCyanCat · 02/02/2026 19:40

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 02/02/2026 19:14

Very unrealistic.

Perhaps the oldest profession in the world might achieve that level for part-time work.

Midwifery doesn't pay that well.

ThedaBara · 02/02/2026 19:42

It sounds like OP is maybe going through a divorce and has turned around after 15 years of being a SAHM and realised that her lifestyle is quite expensive. Assuming this is real.

Alltheyellowbirds · 02/02/2026 19:42

ThedaBara · 02/02/2026 19:42

It sounds like OP is maybe going through a divorce and has turned around after 15 years of being a SAHM and realised that her lifestyle is quite expensive. Assuming this is real.

We might know more if she’d returned to the thread.

100Bees · 02/02/2026 19:43

I earn about 50k working from home for the equivalent of 3 days a week (I fit it around the school run over 4 to 5 days in practice). I'm an in house lawyer with nearly 20 years' experience.

I echo others that it's slightly delusional to expect 50k with your limited qualifications and experience, but good luck.

stclementine · 02/02/2026 19:49

CapriceDeDieux · 02/02/2026 14:52

I think 15 years out of the workplace is only one way to couch it - there was a great post yesterday where someone rewrote her SAHM role as a job and skills and it was really very good.

I too think 50k is going to be a lot though unless you have a serious specialisation. I did think of remote concierge jobs though - combination of admin and organisation, but again with a bit of a specialism you might struggle.

Oh god don’t try and make a CV out of so called SAHM skills. Not only is it really cringey, but none of it has any applicability in a proper grown up workplace. No dealing with toddler tantrums is not conflict resolution Ffs. Those applications go straight into the bin after the recruiters have had a good laugh.

ive been involved in recruiting lots of staff in the NHS and as we get hundreds of applications for each role we can afford to ditch any applications from people who have been out of the workplace for more than a few months.

Zov · 02/02/2026 20:04

Xmasxrackers · 02/02/2026 18:24

OP keep an eye out for school admin/reception roles. Obviously wouldn’t be wfh but you’d have the right hours. Either that or start your own business. I’m in the same situation and I have just started a home help business x

School admin roles?

That's not gonna pay £50K a year. Most of the teachers don't earn that. Not even close.

I know some people who work in a school - in admin/clerk roles, and reception etc. Most are part time (20 to 25 hours a week and work 40-42 weeks of the year maximum,) and they are on £14K to £16K a year. And these are people with some years of work experience, training, and qualifications.

Even some Admin Officers and Secretaries (a higher pay grade, and also experienced and educated,) are only on £22K to £25K, because they are also paid for around 40-42 weeks of the year. So whilst they do work a few more hours (like 8.30am to 5pm,) they are not in for over a fifth of the year,

The OP is utterly deluded.

ThatCyanCat · 02/02/2026 20:05

stclementine · 02/02/2026 19:49

Oh god don’t try and make a CV out of so called SAHM skills. Not only is it really cringey, but none of it has any applicability in a proper grown up workplace. No dealing with toddler tantrums is not conflict resolution Ffs. Those applications go straight into the bin after the recruiters have had a good laugh.

ive been involved in recruiting lots of staff in the NHS and as we get hundreds of applications for each role we can afford to ditch any applications from people who have been out of the workplace for more than a few months.

Show quote history

Oh God no.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3008481-AIBU-to-think-SAHMs-shouldnt-put-this-nonsense-on-a-CV-job-application

AIBU to think SAHMs shouldn't put this nonsense on a CV/job application | Mumsnet

In the last year I've recruited for numerous part-time jobs, receiving applications from many women who took time out to be with family and are now re...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3008481-AIBU-to-think-SAHMs-shouldnt-put-this-nonsense-on-a-CV-job-application

Loloblue · 02/02/2026 20:06

Delulu!

AliceRose1971 · 02/02/2026 20:56

TillyTrifle · 02/02/2026 14:19

Sorry but you sound wildly unrealistic and somewhat entitled. Who on earth do you imagine is going to pay you £50k for working flexibly around your children, from home, when you haven’t worked in years and have some basic admin qualifications. I don’t mean to be unkind but it sounds like you’re living in cloud cuckoo land.

You quite often see these posts from women who have decided the time is right to step back into paid work after a long time out but clearly aren’t willing to sacrifice any time with their kids or not be able to keep up with the housework so the idea of commuting to a workplace or using childcare is absurd. And of course it needs to make a massive difference to the family finances so needs to be at least triple NMW 🙄 I want to be supportive of people trying to get back into the workplace but honestly, it’s like they’ve been on another planet. The world doesn’t owe you a massively paid, flexible and convenient career which doesn’t have any impact on your family life and the people that have those unicorn jobs have usually obtained them by staying in the workplace and working their arses off while juggling nursery bills etc. If people could take years out and the just sashay back into a decently paid and flexible job that could
play second fiddle to their kids, then everyone bloody would!

Honestly, the entitlement is next level.

Friend to women and mothers you are! She’s probably been raising her own children not sitting on her arse as you suggest. No wonder women aren’t having so many children these days. Society f’ing hates mothers! Yes she might have to lower her initial salary expectations but she’s asking for help not to be smashed down by you.

maxandru · 02/02/2026 20:59

TillyTrifle · 02/02/2026 14:19

Sorry but you sound wildly unrealistic and somewhat entitled. Who on earth do you imagine is going to pay you £50k for working flexibly around your children, from home, when you haven’t worked in years and have some basic admin qualifications. I don’t mean to be unkind but it sounds like you’re living in cloud cuckoo land.

You quite often see these posts from women who have decided the time is right to step back into paid work after a long time out but clearly aren’t willing to sacrifice any time with their kids or not be able to keep up with the housework so the idea of commuting to a workplace or using childcare is absurd. And of course it needs to make a massive difference to the family finances so needs to be at least triple NMW 🙄 I want to be supportive of people trying to get back into the workplace but honestly, it’s like they’ve been on another planet. The world doesn’t owe you a massively paid, flexible and convenient career which doesn’t have any impact on your family life and the people that have those unicorn jobs have usually obtained them by staying in the workplace and working their arses off while juggling nursery bills etc. If people could take years out and the just sashay back into a decently paid and flexible job that could
play second fiddle to their kids, then everyone bloody would!

Honestly, the entitlement is next level.

Phenomenal response; love it!

bryceQ · 02/02/2026 21:07

I work from home around my disabled child. Its really hard. I do marketing freelance but this is absolutely not easy money. I earn £2000-4000 a month. You could do VA route but getting clients can be a challenge.

Lauralou19 · 02/02/2026 22:07

I cant read all the posts but if you’re not looking to make a fortune, i’d stick with admin around school hours for the Primary years. Having a brilliant boss who tells me to go home if I stay a couple of minutes over my finish time, being able to trade days with colleagues (for the xmas play etc), good holidays (I can have 6 weeks off in the year which is better than alot of jobs), good pension and pretty much a guaranteed job.

Im planning to up my hours in a few years when I don’t need to be home after the school run (flexibility was the most important thing over finances when I took the job and realise that is a lucky position). We’ll have uni to fund in a few years so that will tie in with upping my hours! Both me and DH can’t work from home but I consider that a good thing as when we walk out our workplaces, there’s no expectation to read an email till we’re back in (DH in an industry that’s well paid but nothing can be done from home), nothing related to work in the house and home is about our family life.

If school hours are the priority, choose something you can easily walk away from before the school run.

Lauralou19 · 02/02/2026 22:11

ThedaBara · 02/02/2026 19:42

It sounds like OP is maybe going through a divorce and has turned around after 15 years of being a SAHM and realised that her lifestyle is quite expensive. Assuming this is real.

This is why we read how important it is for everyone to have their own finances. Not to mention the mental health benefits of going to work, the social side, not losing skills etc.

I stayed home for the first few years which I loved but so glad I went back.

redskydelight · 02/02/2026 22:12

AliceRose1971 · 02/02/2026 20:56

Friend to women and mothers you are! She’s probably been raising her own children not sitting on her arse as you suggest. No wonder women aren’t having so many children these days. Society f’ing hates mothers! Yes she might have to lower her initial salary expectations but she’s asking for help not to be smashed down by you.

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OP needs to know that £50K is unrealistic after so many years out of the workplace and a limited set of skills.

Better to be realistic than give her false hope that there are loads of jobs she can do from home that will be rushing to employ her with the flexibility she needs for the inflated salary she wants.

Lauralou19 · 02/02/2026 22:20

AliceRose1971 · 02/02/2026 20:56

Friend to women and mothers you are! She’s probably been raising her own children not sitting on her arse as you suggest. No wonder women aren’t having so many children these days. Society f’ing hates mothers! Yes she might have to lower her initial salary expectations but she’s asking for help not to be smashed down by you.

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I’ve written an encouraging post above but she does have to be realistic about what you can earn in primary hours (especially if she has had a long time out of work). 50k isn’t a salary you can expect from many primary hours roles.

You can get more doing night shifts in a supermarket than alot of really busy admin jobs.

Pusstachio · 02/02/2026 22:37

As a lady I have generated a most comfortable income writing an anonymous society column about the marriages taking place in the tonne. I of course cannot have a bank account or own my own property but I save the shillings at the local costumier

M103 · 02/02/2026 22:52

Civil service is a good choice if you have been out of work for a long time. Some roles are still hybrid, although full homeworking contracts are no longer available. My department offers flexible hours and part-time contracts - I'd imagine others would be similar. You won't start with 50,000k, but if you keep applying to higher jobs 50,000 k is a realistic possibility after some years, although admittedly everyone I know at that salary in the civil service has a degree...

AmIHumanOrAmIAYeti · 02/02/2026 23:00

M103 · 02/02/2026 22:52

Civil service is a good choice if you have been out of work for a long time. Some roles are still hybrid, although full homeworking contracts are no longer available. My department offers flexible hours and part-time contracts - I'd imagine others would be similar. You won't start with 50,000k, but if you keep applying to higher jobs 50,000 k is a realistic possibility after some years, although admittedly everyone I know at that salary in the civil service has a degree...

If they are actively recruiting, maybe share the roles that OP would be suitable for…….

NoKidsSendDogs · 02/02/2026 23:17

Burningbud1981 · 02/02/2026 14:20

WFH jobs are becoming increasingly rare. Which most companies going to hybrid which requires office attendance. Some companies have gone fully back to the office. My company for example hired 100% homeworkers 3 years. It hasn’t gone well and they won’t be offering it again.

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Not the case if you work in tech. I haven't stepped foot in an office since 2020 and earn well over 50k.

SmallandSpanish · 02/02/2026 23:37

Peoplecoveredinfish · 02/02/2026 17:18

The thing that is frustrating about these threads is the way people are so vague. I know people don’t want to be identified. I know I am very out of touch (worked in health, pre kids, which is a world of its own) job adverts are the same. They give no clues as to what people actually DO, so I’ve no idea if I could do them. I run a business, so I’m not clueless. I’ve had a professional job and got two degrees, so I’m not stupid and I feel like I could aim higher than customer service. But aim for what? It feels very exclusive and I need a map and interpreter. I think that’s what people are asking.

I would honestly pay good money to have a kind of graduate recruitment thing for post kid-mums or have someone explain to me how to decode things like what phrases like “niche business administrator’ or ‘freelancer in a creative profession’ actually do. I know what the words mean, but they don’t convey any useful information to me. I don’t mean to pick on those people and I don’t want to pressure anyone to say, but it still leaves me at a complete loss - how the fuck do I find out? They’re like cryptic crossword clues. They make sense when they’re explained, but they don’t give me any tools to decipher any more of them. The whole business seems like another language. Perhaps that means I’m deeply unsuited to them, but we’ll never know if unless I find an interpreter!

I’m considering being a climbing arborist. That seems FAR easier to get to grips with from where I’m standing. And if I’ve go to start at the bottom anyway, why not? 😂

Freelance in creative could be copy writing, graphic design, web design, editing, proof reading, creating content for social media etc.

HoskinsChoice · 03/02/2026 00:07

AliceRose1971 · 02/02/2026 20:56

Friend to women and mothers you are! She’s probably been raising her own children not sitting on her arse as you suggest. No wonder women aren’t having so many children these days. Society f’ing hates mothers! Yes she might have to lower her initial salary expectations but she’s asking for help not to be smashed down by you.

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Oh come on, the OP is a troll taking the piss. Don't take it so seriously!

Touty · 03/02/2026 00:55

A lot of customer service jobs have gone to India.

AnneBoleynsNecklace · 03/02/2026 06:38

Sorry op but that is totally unrealistic

metalbottle · 03/02/2026 06:42

Apply for a job which pays what you want to earn and fits your skill set @Sweetly1

Iocanepowder · 03/02/2026 06:51

I wfh op and i am able to pick my eldest up from school every day. But i don’t quite earn £50k because i’ve had to reduce my hours in order to do this.

I have also always worked apart from my mat leaves, and i have been working in my industry for 14 years.