As I sat in my rocking chair, cradling my newborn daughter while the world outside buzzed with its usual chaos, I couldn’t shake the nagging worry about money. Maternity leave, while a precious time to bond with my baby, came with a financial reality check. My paycheck had shrunk, bills kept piling up, and I wondered: How can I make money on maternity leave without losing these fleeting moments with my little one? If you’re a new mom feeling this same tug-of-war between financial stress and cherishing your baby, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, and I’m here to share practical, heartfelt ways to earn extra cash during this season of life—ways that worked for me and countless other moms.
This isn’t about chasing get-rich-quick schemes or burning yourself out. It’s about finding flexible, realistic ways to bring in income while still being present for those gummy smiles and tiny milestones. From freelance gigs to creative side hustles, I’ll walk you through how to make money on maternity leave in a way that feels manageable and meaningful. Let’s dive in with hope, a cup of coffee (or tea, if that’s your thing), and a plan to ease the financial strain.
Why Making Money on Maternity Leave Matters
Maternity leave is a beautiful, messy, exhausting time. It’s late-night feedings, endless diaper changes, and moments of pure joy when your baby locks eyes with you. But for many of us, it’s also a time of financial uncertainty. In the U.S., paid maternity leave isn’t guaranteed, and even when it’s offered, it’s often a fraction of your regular income. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only about 23% of private-sector workers have access to paid family leave. That leaves most new moms piecing together savings, unpaid leave, or short-term disability to make ends meet.
For me, the reduced income hit hard. My husband and I had budgeted carefully, but unexpected expenses—like a surprise pediatrician visit or a broken car seat—threw us off. I wanted to contribute financially without sacrificing time with my daughter. That’s when I started exploring ways to make money from home during maternity leave. What I found wasn’t just extra cash; it was a sense of empowerment and control in a season that often feels overwhelming.
If you’re wondering how to make money while on maternity leave, know that it’s not just about the dollars. It’s about giving yourself breathing room, reducing stress, and feeling like you’re still you—not just a mom, but a woman with skills, passions, and ambitions. Below, I’ve outlined practical ideas that worked for me and other moms, along with tips to get started and avoid common pitfalls. These are flexible, beginner-friendly options that fit around nap schedules and nursing sessions.
1. Freelance Writing: Turn Your Words into Cash
When I first considered how to make money on maternity leave, freelance writing felt like a natural fit. I’ve always loved journaling, and I figured if I could write heartfelt posts about my baby’s milestones, I could write for businesses, too. Freelance writing is a fantastic way to earn money from home because it’s flexible, and you don’t need a fancy degree—just a knack for words and a willingness to learn.
How to Get Started
Find Your Niche: Think about topics you know well. Are you a pro at budgeting? A parenting guru? A fitness buff? Websites and blogs need content on everything from parenting tips to product reviews.
Build a Portfolio: Start by writing a few sample blog posts. I wrote a piece about “surviving the newborn phase” and shared it on LinkedIn. It caught the eye of a small parenting blog looking for contributors.
Join Platforms: Sites like Upwork, Freelancer, and ProBlogger are great places to find writing gigs. I landed my first $50 article through Upwork, and it snowballed from there.
Set Realistic Rates: Beginners can charge $0.05 to $0.10 per word. As you gain experience, aim for $0.20 or more. A 500-word article at $0.10 per word is $50—doable during a few nap times.
My Experience
Writing gave me a creative outlet and a paycheck. I started with small gigs, like $25 blog posts, but within three months, I was earning $500 a month working just 10 hours a week. The best part? I could write while my daughter napped or cooed in her bouncer. It wasn’t always easy—there were late nights and revisions—but it felt good to use my brain and contribute to our family’s budget.
Tips for Success
Be Professional: Meet deadlines and communicate clearly with clients. This builds trust and leads to repeat work.
Avoid Content Mills: Sites promising tons of work for pennies aren’t worth your time. Focus on quality clients who value your skills.
Learn SEO: Understanding how to optimize content for search engines (like using keywords naturally) makes you more valuable to clients.
Freelance writing is a solid answer to how to make money while on maternity leave because it’s low-cost to start and fits around your schedule. If you love storytelling, this could be your jam.
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2. Online Tutoring or Teaching: Share Your Knowledge
If writing isn’t your thing, consider online tutoring or teaching. I stumbled into this when a friend mentioned she was earning $20 an hour tutoring English to kids overseas. As a former teacher’s aide, I realized I could use my skills to make money from home during maternity leave.
How to Get Started
Choose Your Subject: Tutor in something you’re confident in—math, English, or even music lessons. If you speak another language, teaching it is a goldmine.
Sign Up for Platforms: VIPKid, Tutor.com, and Preply connect tutors with students worldwide. VIPKid, for example, pays $14–$22 per hour for teaching English to kids in China.
Set Up Your Space: You’ll need a quiet corner, a decent laptop, and a headset. I used a cozy nook in my living room with a cute backdrop to make sessions fun.
Get Certified: Some platforms require a teaching certificate or a bachelor’s degree, but others, like Preply, are more flexible.
My Experience
I tried tutoring English for a few months and loved it. The early morning hours (think 5 a.m.) worked perfectly with my daughter’s sleep schedule. I earned about $400 a month teaching 10 hours a week. It wasn’t a fortune, but it covered diapers and groceries. Plus, connecting with students gave me a sense of purpose beyond diaper duty.
Tips for Success
Be Engaging: Kids and adults alike respond to enthusiasm. I used props like stuffed animals to make lessons interactive.
Be Reliable: Show up on time and be prepared. Consistency leads to more bookings.
Check Time Zones: If teaching internationally, be ready for odd hours. It’s worth it for the flexibility.
Online tutoring is a great way to make money on maternity leave if you enjoy helping others learn. It’s rewarding and lets you set your own hours.
3. Selling Handmade Goods: Get Crafty with Your Passion
If you’re crafty, selling handmade goods could be your ticket to earning extra income. During my pregnancy, I started knitting baby blankets as a way to relax. On a whim, I posted one on Etsy and sold it for $45 within a week. That lightbulb moment showed me how to make money on maternity leave doing something I loved.
How to Get Started
Identify Your Craft: Knitting, jewelry, candles, or custom art—sell what you’re passionate about. I focused on baby blankets and bibs since they tied into my new-mom life.
Set Up a Shop: Etsy and Shopify are beginner-friendly platforms. Etsy charges a small listing fee ($0.20 per item), but it’s easy to use.
Take Great Photos: Good lighting and clear images make your products stand out. I used my phone and a white sheet as a backdrop for professional-looking shots.
Price Smartly: Factor in materials, time, and platform fees. My $45 blanket cost $15 in yarn, so I made a tidy profit.
My Experience
Selling on Etsy was a game-changer. I made $200–$300 a month selling just a few items. It wasn’t full-time income, but it felt amazing to turn my hobby into cash. Plus, crafting was a stress-reliever during those overwhelming newborn days. I’d knit while my daughter slept, and each sale felt like a little victory.
Tips for Success
Know Your Audience: Moms love personalized, baby-related items. Think custom onesies or nursery decor.
Promote on Social Media: I shared my Etsy listings on Instagram, and local mom groups boosted my sales.
Start Small: Don’t overcommit. Make a few items and see what sells before investing heavily.
Selling handmade goods is a creative, fulfilling way to make money while on maternity leave. If you’ve got a crafty side, give it a try.
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4. Virtual Assistant Work: Be the Behind-the-Scenes Hero
Another gem I discovered was virtual assistant (VA) work. VAs help businesses with tasks like email management, scheduling, or social media. I started doing this after a friend recommended it, and it quickly became one of my favorite ways to make money from home during maternity leave.
How to Get Started
List Your Skills: Are you organized? Tech-savvy? Good at social media? Businesses need help with everything from data entry to customer service.
Join Platforms: Sites like Belay, Time Etc, and Upwork offer VA gigs. I found my first client—a small e-commerce store—through Upwork.
Set Your Hours: Most VA jobs are part-time and flexible. I worked 5–10 hours a week, earning $15–$25 per hour.
Learn Tools: Familiarize yourself with tools like Trello, Canva, or Mailchimp. I took a free Canva course online to boost my skills.
My Experience
Being a VA felt like being a superhero for small businesses. I managed a client’s inbox and scheduled their social media posts, earning $600 a month for about 15 hours of work. The work was straightforward, and I could do it while my daughter played nearby. It gave me confidence that I could still contribute professionally, even as a sleep-deprived mom.
Tips for Success
Communicate Clearly: Check in with clients regularly to ensure you’re meeting their needs.
Be Proactive: Suggest ways to improve their processes. My client loved when I proposed a new email template.
Set Boundaries: Only take on what you can handle. It’s okay to say no to extra tasks.
Virtual assistant work is a versatile, in-demand way to make money on maternity leave. If you’re organized and enjoy helping others, it’s worth exploring.
5. Monetizing a Blog or Social Media: Share Your Journey
If you love sharing your story, consider starting a blog or growing your social media presence. I began blogging about my maternity leave experience—tips, struggles, and funny moments—and it turned into a small income stream through affiliate marketing and sponsored posts.
How to Get Started
Choose a Platform: WordPress or Wix for blogging; Instagram or TikTok for social media. I started with a free WordPress site and later upgraded.
Create Valuable Content: Share tips on parenting, budgeting, or life as a new mom. My post on “how to save money on baby gear” got tons of traffic.
Monetize Early: Join affiliate programs like Amazon Associates or RewardStyle. I earned $100 a month linking to baby products I used.
Engage Your Audience: Respond to comments and DMs. Building a community led to a sponsored post that paid $200.
My Experience
Blogging was slow to start, but by month three, I was earning $300 a month through affiliates and ads. It wasn’t life-changing money, but it grew over time and gave me a creative outlet. Plus, sharing my journey connected me with other moms, which was a lifeline during those isolating early days.
Tips for Success
Be Authentic: Share real stories. People connect with honesty, not perfection.
Learn Basic SEO: Use keywords like how to make money on maternity leave naturally in your posts to attract readers.
Be Patient: Monetizing takes time. Focus on creating great content first.
Blogging or social media can be a long-term way to make money while on maternity leave. If you’re passionate about sharing, it’s a rewarding path.
Read more: 10 Unique Ways to Make Money at Home – Unleash Your Inner Entrepreneur
Overcoming Challenges: Finding Balance as a Working Mom
Let’s be real: Making money on maternity leave isn’t all smooth sailing. There were days when I felt guilty for working instead of snuggling my daughter. Other times, I was so tired that even answering an email felt like climbing a mountain. Here’s how I navigated the challenges:
Set Realistic Goals: Start with 5–10 hours a week. Even $100 a month can make a difference.
Lean on Your Village: Ask your partner, family, or friends for help with childcare or household tasks. My mom watched my daughter for two hours a week, giving me focused work time.
Prioritize Self-Care: You can’t pour from an empty cup. Even 10 minutes of stretching or a quick nap helped me recharge.
Say No to Burnout: If a gig feels overwhelming, it’s okay to pause. I dropped a low-paying client to focus on higher-value work.
The key is finding a rhythm that works for you. You’re not just a mom or a worker—you’re both, and you deserve to feel good about how you spend your time.
Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This, Mama
Figuring out how to make money on maternity leave was one of the most empowering things I did as a new mom. It wasn’t about replacing my full-time income (though that’s possible for some). It was about proving to myself that I could adapt, contribute, and thrive in this new season. Whether you choose freelance writing, tutoring, crafting, or blogging, know that you have skills and passions that can translate into income.
Start small, experiment, and give yourself grace. You’re navigating one of the most transformative times of your life, and every step you take—whether it’s earning $50 or $500—matters. So, grab that laptop during nap time, try one of these ideas, and see where it takes you. You’re not just making money; you’re building confidence, security, and a brighter future for you and your little one.
What’s your next step? Drop a comment or message me—I’d love to hear how you’re making maternity leave work for you. Let’s cheer each other on!
