Single Parent Side Hustle

25 Low-Stress Side Hustles for Single Parents (Flexible, Realistic & Beginner-Friendly)

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A.D.

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side hustles for single parents

Being a single parent means balancing everything: work, childcare, school schedules, meals, doctor appointments, and the nonstop mental load that comes with raising a child alone. Finding time (and energy) for a side hustle can feel impossible.

But the right side hustles for single parents should’t drain you.
It fits your life.
It flexes around your schedule.
It helps you build breathing room in your budget without sacrificing your sanity.

This guide breaks down 25 low-stress, beginner-friendly side hustles that align perfectly with the reality of single parent life. Whether you need an extra $200/month or $2,000/month, you’ll find options that work.

Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

1. Mobile Notary Services (Perfect for Evenings & Weekends)

Mobile notaries travel to clients to notarize documents. It’s extremely flexible and only takes about 10 minutes per appointment.

Why It’s One of the Great Side Hustles for Single Parents:

  • You choose your hours
  • Most appointments are fast
  • Very little skill required
  • Works around school schedules
  • High demand year-round

Startup Cost:

$90–$150 total.

Earnings:

$40–$80 per appointment (travel fees are key).

Recommend Gear to Get Started:

👉 Essential reading: How Much Do Notaries Make?

2. Loan Signing Agent (High Income Potential)

Loan signing agents guide borrowers through mortgage documents. This pays significantly more than general notary work, making it one of the most profitable side hustles for single parents.

Why It’s Ideal:

  • Fewer clients, bigger paychecks
  • Many signings can be scheduled evenings
  • Great long-term income

Earnings:

$75–$150 per signing
$1,000–$7,000/month (part-time to full-time)

3. Remote Online Notary (RON)

If your state allows it, you can notarize documents via video call, right from home, making it one of the most convenient side hustles for single parents.

Why It’s Game-Changing:

  • Zero travel
  • Work while your child is asleep
  • Fit appointments into any spare 10–15 minutes

Earnings:

$10–$25 per RON notarization.

4. Freelance Writing

Tons of websites need writers. If you’re a creative type, this is probably one of the best side hustles for single parents for you.

Why It Works:

  • 100% from home
  • Fits into nap times, bedtime, school hours
  • No degree needed

Earnings:

$20–$75/hour or $25–$150/article.

5. Virtual Assistant (VA)

VAs handle scheduling, inbox management, posting content, and more. If you thrive on organization and administration, this is one of the best side hustles for single parents for you.

Why It’s Stress-Free:

  • Tasks are simple
  • Work on your own time
  • Clients often need ongoing help

Earnings:

$20–$45/hour.

6. Social Media Manager

Manage Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook for businesses.

Why It’s Parent-Friendly:

  • You already use social media
  • Work anywhere
  • Flexible timelines

Earnings:

$300–$800/month per client.

7. Blogging

Affiliate blogs can bring steady income with the right strategy.

Why It Works:

  • You create assets that grow over time
  • You control your schedule
  • Long-term passive income

Earnings:

$100–$5,000/month (after you build traffic).

8. Amazon FBA Small-Time Seller

You can start extremely small, flipping household items or clearance items.

Why It Works:

  • No customer service (Amazon handles it)
  • Sell items during free time
  • Scales easily

Earnings:

$200–$1,500/month (beginner).

9. Facebook Marketplace Flipping

Flip furniture, electronics, or children’s items.

Why It’s Perfect:

  • Inventory often free or cheap
  • Pickup/drop-off can be scheduled flexibly
  • Local and easy

Earnings:

$300–$2,000/month.

10. Print-on-Demand (Merch, Etsy, Redbubble)

Sell shirts, mugs, digital prints, no inventory needed.

Why It Works:

  • Passive income once designed
  • No shipping
  • Easy using Canva

Earnings:

$50–$2,000+/month depending on designs.

11. Remote Customer Service

Many companies hire evening remote reps.

Why It’s Single-Parent Friendly:

  • Work after kids go to bed
  • Minimal experience required

Earnings:

$14–$25/hour.

12. Tutoring (In-Person or Online)

Excellent for single parents who enjoy helping kids learn.

Why It Works:

  • Choose subjects
  • Meet at libraries or online
  • Set your schedule

Earnings:

$20–$60/hour.

13. Bookkeeping (No Degree Needed)

You can learn bookkeeping basics online.

Why It’s Stress-Free:

  • No phone calls
  • Quiet work
  • Monthly recurring clients

Earnings:

$300–$600/month per client.

14. Phone Photography Services

Use your phone to take social media photos for small businesses.

Why It Works:

  • Businesses need constant content
  • Quick shoots
  • Minimal editing

Earnings:

$40–$200 per shoot.

15. Laundry Service / Wash & Fold

Parents, professionals, and elderly clients need this service.

Why It Works:

  • Do laundry at home
  • Flexible
  • High demand

Earnings:

$1–$2 per pound ($150–$600/month).

Recommedned Gear to Get Started:

16. Grocery Delivery (Shipt / Instacart)

Great if you’re already running errands.

Why It’s Single-Parent Friendly:

  • Choose your own hours
  • Accept only high-paying batches

Earnings:

$15–$25/hour.

Recommeded Gear to Get Started:

17. Food Delivery (Uber Eats / DoorDash)

Surprisingly flexible side hustle.

Why It Works:

  • Evenings and weekends = peak pay
  • No people interaction beyond drop-off

Earnings:

$15–$28/hour.

18. Rideshare (Uber / Lyft)

Not ideal if you prefer low interaction, but great for flexible earnings.

Earnings:

$20–$35/hour in many cities.

19. Selling Printables or Digital Downloads

On Etsy or Gumroad.

Ideas include:

  • Chore charts
  • Budget templates
  • Notary logs
  • Side hustle planners

Why It Works:

  • Fully passive once uploaded
  • Easy to start
  • Extremely low-cost

Earnings:

$100–$3,000/month.

20. Part-Time Remote Admin Work

Many businesses want part-time clerical help.

Why It Works:

  • Consistent income
  • Often task-based, not timed
  • Work from home

Earnings:

$15–$30/hour.

21. Cleaning Homes or Offices (Selective Jobs Only)

Pick smaller, easy jobs to fit your schedule.

Why It’s Good:

  • Cash-friendly
  • Flexible hours
  • You set the workload

Earnings:

$25–$50/hour.

22. Holiday / Seasonal Side Jobs

Perfect for temporary income boosts.

Examples:

  • Gift wrapping
  • Christmas light setup
  • Seasonal retail (evenings only)
  • Event staffing

Why It Works:

  • Short-term commitment
  • Higher holiday pay

23. Pet Sitting or Dog Walking

One of the easiest side hustles to manage.

Why It’s Low-Stress:

  • Kids can come along
  • Work outdoors
  • Repeat clients

Earnings:

$15–$40 per walk
$20–$50 per visit

24. Phone-Free Freelance Work (Transcription)

Great for quiet evenings.

Why It Works:

  • No speaking
  • Low pressure
  • Work your own hours

Earnings:

$0.40–$1.10 per audio minute.

25. Simple Handyman Tasks (If You’re Handy)

Small tasks only:

  • Mounting TVs
  • Fixing doorknobs
  • Changing light fixtures
  • Painting small areas

Why It Works:

  • Jobs are short
  • People pay well for simple tasks

Earnings:

$50–$150 per task.

How to Choose the Best Side Hustle for YOUR Life

Ask yourself:

✔ When is your free time?

Evenings → notary, tutoring, remote work
Weekdays → delivery, VA work
Naptime → printables, freelance writing, blogging

✔ Do you prefer working from home?

Choose:

  • Writing
  • RON notary
  • VA work
  • Printables
  • Blogging
  • Transcription

✔ Do you want quick money or long-term money?

Quick money: delivery, mobile notary, flipping
Long-term money: blogging, printables, bookkeeping

✔ Do you want low interaction?

Transcription
RON notary
Printables
Blogging

✔ Do you want something kid-friendly?

Pet sitting
Flipping
Printables
Delivery (sometimes)

What I Recommend Starting WITH:

If you want the perfect combination of low stress, high flexibility, and fast income:

  1. Mobile Notary
  2. Side blog
  3. Digital printables
  4. Freelance writing

Those four create both immediate money AND long-term passive income.

FAQs

What’s the best side hustle for single parents?

Mobile notary work is the best mix of flexibility, low stress, and high earning potential.

What side hustles can I do from home?

Blogging, printables, RON notary, VA work, transcription, bookkeeping, social media management.

Which side hustles work with no experience?

Delivery, flipping, general notary work, laundry service, pet sitting, phone photography.

What’s the easiest side hustle to start today?

Selling on Facebook Marketplace, delivery driving, or offering basic notary services.

2 responses to “25 Low-Stress Side Hustles for Single Parents (Flexible, Realistic & Beginner-Friendly)”

  1. The Best Morning Routine for Single Parents (Save Time, Reduce Stress & Stay Organized) – Single Parent Side Hustle

    […] We also recommend checking out our guide to 25 Low-Stress Side Hustles for Single Parents. […]

    Reply
  2. 10 Practical Steps to Start Freelance Writing With Zero Experience – Single Parent Side Hustle

    […] We also recommend checking out our guide on Low-Stress Side Hustles for Single Parents. […]

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