The decision to be a stay at home parent is never one that is arrived at easily. But for moms who want to be home with the kids and contribute to the household income at the same time, we have found some of the best jobs for stay at home moms in 2014.

There are multitudes of logistics to consider before informing your boss, that yes, you would prefer to spend time with your adorable children rather than stare at a computer screen all day (really?). However, there often comes a moment a few months into the new gig one looks at the bank account and realizes that along with all the pros that can come with staying at home, there is one glaringly obvious negative: less income.

So what’s a parent to do? If you’re anything like me, you’ve found yourself Googling “best work from home jobs” or “best jobs for stay at home moms” or “I will do anything for money as long as I can do it from the comfort of my home in yoga pants.”

There are entire websites dedicated to this subject matter, but I’ve come to the realization that if it looks like a pig and smells like a pig…it’s probably too good to be true. The one exception I’ve found is an article on Forbes.com from April, which in all honesty I trust solely because it’s on Forbes.com.

With that being said, there are a few avenues that one can explore to find the best jobs for stay at home moms that can yield promising careers, while also allowing for the flexibility and prioritization that being the primary caregiver for a child requires.

Childcare

Since you’re already taking care of one kid, why not add a few to the mix? I mean, at least you’ll be getting paid to wipe snot rather than do it for free.

I jest, but in all honesty, if you have the temperament/patience to take care of additional children, this is a fantastic way to make money. You already have most if not all the gear. You can set your own schedule and salary. And at the end of the day, when you send all the other children home, you will feel like your own child is the most perfect and well-behaved child of all time.

Church

Churches are often flexible and understanding when it comes to part-time employees with children. You might be able to bring your child with you while you serve as a secretary or education coordinator. You’ll most likely get the added bonus of discounted preschool expenses if the church has that program.

Freelance Writing

While this can take a great deal of effort and time to begin (and obviously, you need to have an interest/capacity for the written word), the flexibility of being a “professional writer” is beyond compare. I thrive with deadlines, and am thrilled by the rush I feel when sending off an article that could be potentially thrown back at me and considered “rubbish” by an editor. This may not be everyone’s cup of tea, however. This path does allow you to work when you can, from wherever you can.

Customer Service

This is definitely not everyone’s idea of a good time, but if you’re able to patiently respond to the needs of a whiny toddler, you probably are already overly qualified for these positions. You need to have the ability to be “on call and available” for chunks of the day which isn’t always possible with young children, but if you have a reliable nap schedule, answering the phone and telling people how to install their printer could be an easy paycheck.

Direct Selling

Whether it’s books, knives, jewelry, makeup, or cooking utensils, there is a company that will allow you to sell directly. Think of those boozy gatherings your mom had at her house where there were tons of women and tons of Tupperware. This route really depends on how much you are willing to put into selling to your network (and how willing they are to put up with you). I mean, some people have been so successful they’ve ended up with pink cars. Dreams really do come true…

All in all, there are very few of us who are able to find the happy medium between totally fulfilled career whilst simultaneously a totally present stay at home parent. Most likely, one area will give a little. The options listed above may not feel like they are furthering your career, but they will allow you to make some money while being present for those first steps, sloppy kisses, and endless giggles.

If you’re a stay at home mom, you may be thinking about homeschooling. Here’s some information.

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