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Parents of young kids know all about ‘the juggle’. The never-ending challenge of trying to keep too many plates spinning at the same job. Jobs and careers that were manageable (and perhaps even enjoyable) before you had kids can turn into a nightmare once you have a couple of kids to care for as well. This is a time when many parents re-assess their career and look for jobs that they can fit easily around caring for their children. Parents need flexibility, scope to organise their own schedule and time off in the school holidays. There are, unfortunately, few jobs that offer this.
This is not just true for parents of younger children. Parents of older kids and teens like to be there when their kids get home from school and may need their reassurance and support. Here are two jobs where you can fit your work around your kids.
Teaching assistant
The obvious way to work around school hours and to get school holidays off to spend with your kids is to work in a school. Going back to university and training as a teacher may be too much of a commitment for you at this stage of your life. However, you do not have to be so highly qualified to be a teaching assistant. There are courses that you can from home and in your own time. To find out if this is for you, offer to work on a voluntary basis in your local school. They will be glad of your help but you will have to security checked before you can start.
If you qualify as a teaching assistant there are usually plenty of jobs available. However, you will have to decide if you want to work in the same school that your children will attend. You (and they) may find this difficult. When you are working as a teaching assistant, you still have the problem of finding someone to look after your child when they are too ill to attend school themselves.
Freelance writing or personal training
These are very flexible careers where you can work the hours that suit you. You can stop work when your kids come home from school and you are your own boss.
It is very straightforward to train as a personal trainer. Origym offer comprehensive training and 0% interest plans. You even get one-to-one training near to you. Once you are qualified you get continued support as your career grows.
You do not need any formal training to be a freelance writer. You can start by trying out a few pieces and building up a portfolio of work. You can set up a profile on freelance websites such as PeopleperHour and start bidding for jobs. Writing is easy to fit around your childcare commitments and you will be available to look after your child if they are sick. During the school holidays, you simply stop taking on clients.
Whilst you may see a short-term dip in salary it is possible to launch a successful career that you can fit around your kids.