11 Best Flexible Side Hustles for Single Parents

As single parents, many times you’re limited in the jobs you can take. If you need some extra income but you’re having problems finding jobs that fit your schedule, keep reading for the best flexible side hustles for single parents!

Being a single parent is already stressful. You’re likely having to juggle being a present parent and working full-time while barely making ends meet.

In this economy, any extra income is welcomed, and starting a side hustle can be a great way to get some extra cash in your pocket.

Since many jobs are out of the question for single parents, I’ve made up a list of the best flexible side hustles for parents that have flexibility and most have the opportunity to grow into a business or passive income.

And don’t worry, this post doesn’t contain any of those spammy affiliate suggestions like taking surveys or apps that let you earn cash back.

1. Virtual assistant

Becoming a virtual assistant is a great flexible side hustle for single parents because many VAs can work on their own time. Many VAs simply answer emails, do a bit of data entry, or keep calendars up to date.

You can find VA jobs by searching popular freelancing boards like upwork.com or fiverr.com.

2. Sell digital products

Digital products are BOOMING right now and if you have any ideas for one, you definitely want to start selling them.

I love digital products because they can be as simple as worksheets for teachers or as complex intricate Excel sheets. There are so many options in between like calendars, craft patterns, stock audio or video, podcast episodes and SO MUCH MORE.

You may already have a digital product that you use every day like a specific Excel template you created.

If you don’t have a digital product yet, you can use free products like Canva or Adobe Express to put your ideas in digital format. You can sell your product on Etsy, your blog, or Shopify store.

The best part is that you can create the product in any free time you have and you don’t have to worry about stocking or shipping anything which makes this a great flexible side hustle for single parents.

3. Resell items

Reselling items is easier than ever these days thanks to platforms like eBay and Poshmark. You can sell items you already have or research market trends to find and resell in-demand items.

It can be as simple as buying a lot of books on eBay for cheap and reselling them in smaller batches for more money.

This is a good side hustle for single parents because it’s very flexible and you can even take your kids shopping with you if you choose to resell from thrift stores.

4. Sell DIY/craft products (Jewelry, Soap, Candles, etc…)

If you already have a hobby that you love doing, consider selling it! Do you like to knit, make candles or make soap in your free time? Share your creations with the world and sell them on an Etsy shop, Facebook Marketplace, or market yourself locally.

A few DIY/craft items that sell well online

• Jewelry
• Soap
• Candles
• Knits
• Home Decor crafts (reefs, repurposed furniture, frames)
• Customized tumblers

The best part is that you can include your kids in creating the DIY project or craft and work on it in your free time.

5. Start a blog

If you enjoy writing and don’t mind waiting a while to reap the rewards of your hard work, consider starting a blog. In case you didn’t know, you’re reading a blog post!

People are flocking to the internet every day to learn a new skill or get information through blog posts.

The downside is that you won’t see the money immediately rolling in, but if you do things right, you can start gaining traction in a few months.

You’ll want to post consistently (at least once or twice a week) but the more you work on your blog and learn all about your audience, traffic, and how to market yourself, a blog can be a pretty good stream of income.

You can get monetized through display ads, affiliate marketing links, online courses, or sponsored content.

You can blog about a skill you already know and work on it at your own pace which makes this a great flexible side hustle for single parents.

6. Sell an online course

Online courses have taken the internet by storm. If you have a skill, try creating an online course for it.

You can find online courses for nearly anything these days from gardening and cooking exotic dishes to technical writing and coding.

If you aren’t sure how to go about creating an online course or selling it, guess what? There’s an online course for that!

This is a great side hustle for single parents because you can create the course in your free time and once it’s done, you can just go back to getting those extra snuggles in every day.

7. Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing is a really good option if you already have a large following on any social media platform or blog. You can promote products that you love while gaining a small commission from anyone who makes a purchase using your link.

You can start with a popular affiliate marketing program like Amazon and find more in your specific niche as you grow.

8. Start a YouTube channel

If you don’t mind being on camera, consider starting a YouTube channel. You can gradually gain a following and monetize your channel over time.

You can create a channel in almost any niche. If you have a particular skill consider teaching people via YouTube videos.

If you are working on a home remodel, post your journey on YouTube. If you don’t mind posting your daily life as a single parent, record and post that as your content.

There are so many

9. House Cleaning

Cleaning houses may not be the most glamorous gig, but it can pay well if you already own cleaning supplies and have reliable transportation.

You can let your clients know the times that you are willing to clean and you can even take your kids with you in most cases!

I remember tagging along with my mom as she cleaned houses growing up. I loved helping her when I could or simply having a change of scenery from time to time.

10. Gig Jobs (Uber, Lyft, Doordash, etc…)

Gig jobs are great because you can almost always set your own schedule which makes it a great flexible side hustle for single parents. You can log in and do side work when it’s convenient for you.

Most Gig jobs simply require reliable transportation and good customer service skills.

The only major downside to this side hustle is that there is no real way to grow and turn it into a business or passive income. However, if you’re in a bind, it can be a great quick way to earn some extra cash.

11. Babysitter /Childcare services

If you already spend a lot of time with your children at home, consider offering childcare services. Babysitting is not only a great way to earn some extra income, but it’s also a great way to build community.

If you can do school pick-ups or drop-offs, being a before-school or after-school babysitter would be a great option during the school year. You can also offer date night services

As a single parent, having a good community behind you is huge. Consider helping out your local parents (for a price) and you never know the connections you may make along the way.

There is a lot of liability when you are taking care of children so just be sure to read your state laws and take a few essential classes like first aid and CPR training.

Bottom Line

Being a single parent can be tough, but there are ways to earn some extra income for your family.

Don’t be afraid to take chances and let people know that you are looking for flexible ways to make some extra cash. You never know what will fall in your lap!