It feels like just yesterday you were pregnant with your little one and only recently filling in your all-important MAT B1 form. Now, your maternity leave is coming to an end it's time to go back to work. But what if you really don't fancy going back to your old job?
Perhaps you're working but you desperately want to see your kids a bit more or you're currently unemployed and don't know where to start. Whatever situation you are in, we know being a working mum is difficult.
However, hope is not lost. If you're looking for a total career change that will fit around life with kids, there are lots of options that mean you have more time for your little one that will still pay the bills...
9 child-friendly career ideas:
child-friendly careers
1 of 91) Go self-employed
Whether you’ve got green fingers and dream of being a gardener, you’ve always loved beauty or you’re toying with the idea of becoming a yoga instructor, now’s a good time. There are plenty of choose-your-own-hours and appointment jobs that you can train for and that work around your mum schedule. Visit HM Revenue & Customs’ website to get clued up on registering as self-employed and to find out more about working for yourself.
2 of 92) Work in a school
The obvious plus side to a career in education is that you’ll have all of the same holidays as your child – and a stable income. Whether you're an aspiring teacher, teaching assistant or interested in helping out with the admin side of things, there is a variety of roles to choose from.
Check out TES’ website for the latest education job openings and visit the Department for Education’s website to learn about how you can get started.
3 of 93) Start an online business
With almost everything available online today, it’s the perfect way to launch a business and earn some cash without leaving the house. And you don’t even have to buy a website domain, you can use existing sites such as Etsy, eBay, Bonanza and ASOS Marketplace to sell your products. You can get advice on writing your business plan from theGovernment's website and there is lots of support available for starting your own business.
4 of 94) Do some extra childcare
There are no legal requirements for becoming a nanny, but it will help other parents feel safer if you have first aid and home-based childcare qualifications, in addition to some training.
Some qualifications you could gain include a Level 1 Award in Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children's and Young People's Settings, Level 2 Certificate for the Children and Young People's Workforce and a Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce.
It’s also a good idea to get yourself registered on the voluntary part of the Ofsted Childcare Register.
5 of 95) Sign up for office work
Imagined working in publishing? Or helping others find their dream jobs in recruitment? There are thousands of different office-based roles with flexible hours that you can make work for you. Start by registering with a recruitment agency – you can do this online or in your local recruitment office.
Alternatively, keep an eye on job postings on jobs websites such as Monster or Timewise and follow job sites on Twitter, too.
6 of 96) Go freelance
The great thing about freelancing is you can work from home, from your favourite coffee shop or in the car while waiting for your tot to finish nursery. Whether you have a background in design, journalism, PR or finance, you can use skills you already have (or skills you can improve on) to get work online.
There are plenty of job sites that look for freelancers, or you can go through an agency or just dust off your contact book and put the word out that you’re available for work. Twitter and LinkedIn are great (and free) social networks to use to market yourself, too.
7 of 97) Set up your own business
Setting up your own business can be a lot to take on when you've got young kids. However, if you have the passion and a good idea, in the long run it could give you the freedom you desire. If you're the boss, your kids can come with you wheneber they need to and you can set your working hours to suit you!
8 of 98) Direct sales
Direct sales means selling products directly to the consumer. This might be selling jewellery or beauty products at pre-organised parties! If you choose direct sales, you can decide when and where you work.
The obvious one you might think of is Avon, where you can sell beauty products. Gone are the days of door to door, you can even now run your Avon business online!
9 of 99) The NHS
The NHS do offer the option to work only in term-time, as a teacher would, to fit around childcare. If you are a caring person and are interested in working with people, there are over 300 careers to choose from in the NHS. Check out their jobs website.