How can I earn money without leaving my toddler?

[TooTicky]

I've tried selling children's books and it really didn't work for me.

Hmm. Interesting idea. Not sure I could do it in the village though - might seem as if I were treading on the toes of the playgroup. Different thing, I know, but still...
But am I actually brave enough?

Just start very small and see how it goes

you would need insurance - possibly your own personal insurance although the hall you hire may sometimes have enough insurance to cover you

I have the smallest seeds of an idea. Shall plant them tenderly in the greenhouse in the morning. Unfortunately, I won't know quite what they are until I see the flowers.

what about selling cards and wrap all mums need tonnes of those?

TooTicky I sell things on Amazon which brings in enough to buy school shoes, pay for music lessons etc. I also have a toddler and 3 school age children.
Depends what you have at home to start you off, or you could try going to a wholesaler to build up a bit of stock. Some will accept small orders. I think children's books are tricky for some reason; certainly I have more success with adult books, and CDs etc. I'm selling stuff we no longer need, and when it's all gone I'm going to try a wholesaler to test the water.

I do this when I please, some weeks are busier than others. This week I've just sold a couple of things but at good prices, so I've made £40+. Not huge riches but not to be sniffed at either.

Shame you say the books didn't work....i sell childrens books and avon and it brings in £200/£300 a month - more building up to xmas or if i put more effort in. It did take time and effort to build up but now dosn't really involve houge amounts of effort as i'm just selling at repeat events or to repeat customers and can all be done with my 2 daughers.

Unfortunately most things involve advertising your services or selling which does take a certain ammount of confidence - which you don't have til you get going. Anyway some other ideas:
Pet sitting (whilst people go on holiday)
Ironing for people
can you make things - jewelery, sewing??
delivering flyers
online surveys - for the odd voucher
sorry out of ideas

Good Luck

TooTicky - from your posts you sound a very bright person who may well be lacking in confidence. I haven't got any suggestions for current work beyond those that have been given but in my totally ignorant opinion I think you should also be looking to the future towards getting yourself qualified/trained for a more fulfilling job as your DCs grow up. It needn't necessarily be a 3 A Levels then a degree and a postgraduate qualification type job but something that will interest you and be more fulfilling than catalogue/ironing service type jobs.

I have just started working from home and am having difficulies as I can't work and look after toddler who generally screams around and wrecks the house as I try and work. I have had to send him to a childminder so I can get on and it makes me feel ill to be at home and not have him here with me. I am seriously looking into becoming a childminder that way I can look after my toddler and someone else's hopefully and earn some extra money. I also think it would be good for my little boy to have some company. I have an older child as well and hope that eventually if I can do some school pick ups with him he will have company after school. I believe that children have more fun when there's more of them and can be less trouble as long as your organised about things. However, I have just received a "small tree" from the council regarding the OFSED guidelines!

delivering avon, betterware, kleeneze?

find cheap suppliers and sell stuff on ebay.

are you arty/crafty? do you have any skills that people could use.

ironing for people?